in criticising the faults of the Afro-American, because their enemies never fail to criticise them without stint.
Opinion of Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett, D. D.
There is but one answer to the first question, no matter from what standpoint I look at it, whether as to number, circulation or editorial ability displayed in the columns of the Afro-American newspaper. As regards number, I can remember when we had only one journal in the country, The Mystery, published by that grand hero and pioneer, Dr. Martin R. Delaney, in 1847. In 1848, the A. M. E. church started The Christian Herald, the first religious paper controlled by colored men. Rev. A. R. Green was manager and editor.
Frederick Douglass entered the journalistic world and pleaded the cause of his race, on two continents, with both tongue and pen. Others followed, until to-day over two hundred intelligent colored men are engaged in speaking for the race by their journals, in almost every state of the Union.
Some think that there is no necessity for colored newspapers; that papers owned and controlled by white men would answer all purposes; but I think that it is as essential to have a newspaper to speak for us as a race, as it is for each individual to have a mouth and a tongue to speak his own sentiments. It is impossible for a white man to enter into the aspirations of another race, as one who, when he expresses his own aspirations, expresses theirs also. We must have some one who can understand our position from within and without, and present it to the world in the strongest light.
Now, whether the Afro-American newspapers are supported as well as they ought to be: They are not receiving the
