CHAPTER XIX.
ILLUSTRATED AFRO-AMERICAN JOURNALISM.
THE illustrated paper, among all classes and conditions, has met the most cordial reception. To read of an occurrence, or about a fixed thing, and to observe the same illustrated, tends to fix in the mind of the reader the facts more impressively; it also better enables him to grasp the situation as intended. He also is enabled to see the purpose sought; and he sees without effort the picture the article intends to have the imagination form. The necessity of such a phase of journalism among any people admits of no argument. With this idea in view, Edward Elder Cooper of Indianapolis, Ind., issued The Indianapolis Freeman, (the first and only illustrated journal of the Afro-American race,) consisting of eight pages, July 14, 1888. To say that this was a most commendable step upon the part of Mr. Cooper, is to say the least of it. While the Afro-American seems hardly prepared for a very high plane of journalism, from a money or intellectual consideration, and certainly not from experience, yet in this, as in other phases of the work, he has shown his possibilities, and maintains his stand. The journalist of color finds it a matter of some thought when he first launches his
