man. The issue of September 10, 1887, contained the plan of organization. Several leagues were immediately organized, the first being that of Richmond, Va.
The author, having been forcibly impressed with the expediency of such an organization, read a paper in its interest (August 15, 1887,) before the New Era Literary society of Lynchburg, Va. The Afro-American citizens of the Union, though under oppression and desirous of relief, did not take to the organization, presumably on account of the lack of proper knowledge of it, as succeeding action proved. Thus it was not until Mr, William E. Matthews, LL. B., a prominent Afro-American banker of Washington, having been deeply impressed with the courtesy extended him while on a trip to Europe, and noticing the lack of such courtesies and the race restriction and discrimination on his return to America, addressed a letter to Hon. John M. Langston, M. C., in which he urged the organization of the Afro-American league; hence, the credit for the revival of the same belongs to Mr. Matthews, and accordingly The Plaindealer pays him the following tribute: "When the concentrated efforts of the whole race, acting through the agency of the Afro-American league, shall have secured to every man and woman of African descent the protection and justice enjoyed by all other classes of citizens, the name of William E. Matthews will be intimately associated with the history of this great movement."
The institution of the league was at once taken hold of with renewed strength by individuals of the race and by all of the Afro-American journalists, with a vim and a power known only to the newspaper man of firm and unflinching convictions. Every Afro-American editor, with quill in hand, took a decided stand for the league, proclaiming to the world—"Upon this rock I stand; all other is sinking sand."
The New York Age began a lively crusade, while The
