Algiers, La., July, 1877.
The Race Problem Solved at Asbury Park.
For the Christian Recorder.
New Brunswick, N. J., August 2, 1890.
Mr. Editor.
Sir: As a native of the “Old North State” myself, it is but natural that I should feel some pride in every honor or mark of respect paid to her honored sons; and yet, sir, when I see metropolitan papers, whose politics are not very favorable to our race, teeming with praise of the speeches made, with some very remarkable quotations of opposition to the “Force Bill,” or apologizing for certain reasons why it should not become a law; when I see certain gentlemen denied by those in authority not especially committed to our side of public questions regarding our interest, it is but natural that some of us should become alarmed lest these honors are received and bestowed at the terrible expense of compromising the rights of our race.
We are forced to believe that President Grandison must have committed himself with all the force of his eloquence on the beach at the park to thirty thousand people in favor of the Force Bill. We are also led to believe that our popular friend Dr. Sampson was very conservative in his Fourth of July speech. But now comes out one of the leading illustrated journals with all the pictures of these orators of the Fourth at the park, and the Doctor is made to say if a colored man is discriminated against or in any way persecuted in regard to his rights, that it ought to stimulate him to greater effort to make himself more worthy, and to not only make himself the equal, but the superior of the other men. With other compromising remarks, and after several highly pleasing speeches on the beach to the multitudes from the hotels, it is said that the Doctor and founder, Bradley, repaired to the dining rooms of the different hotels and told the colored help when and where they might be allowed to bathe.
Was this arrangement made by the Doctor with Mr. Bradley for the colored people? Will these two North Carolinians answer this question? Were they paid one hundred dollars for these speeches, and were they properly quoted in the New York World? I mean President Grandison, of Bennett College, as to his views on the Force Bill delivered at the park or elsewhere, and also Dr. Sampson on the Race Problem, delivered on the grand stand on the Fourth of July at the park. I understand that my old friend did say that a Negro’s occupation should not be above that of a servant, for he must know well how to discharge the duties belonging to this sphere before he is able to meet the more responsible duties of life. I ask the Doctor if this is all true.
Yours respectfully,
A. H. NEWTON.
31 French Street, New Brunswick, N. J.