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CHAPTER XXIII.

THE AFRO-AMERICAN EDITOR'S MISSION, BY EMINENT JOURNALISTS.


The Author's Introductory.

IN the light of the opinions here rendered regarding Afro-American journalism, the purpose and aim of the author is to have actual assertions from three of the prominent personages in the field as to their idea of the great work intrusted to their keeping. The press, the most potent factor for good on the one hand, or for evil on the other, must be piloted in the light of the knowledge as to how it will subserve the best interests of the nation. It must of all forces be pure, and free from any contaminating influence, be it in the religious or secular field, it being far from our aim to insert here articles from these personages merely to "fill up," but to give an interested public the information as to what we are striving for in our exercise of the freedom of the press. At the instance of the foregoing letters, Hon. T. Thomas Fortune, representing the secular press, Rev. L. J. Coppin, D. D., the religious press, and Mrs. N. F. Mossell, our women, give us the benefit of what they conceive to be the telling work at their command. The following is a copy of