Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/125

Rh thought of the leaders and representatives of his race; made so by culture, experience, and pure Christian character.

If, then, a race possess any number of these magazines, which are well contributed to and sustained by its own people, it becomes a self-evident fact that they are growing in literary merit.

The Afro-Americans early began this work. Those at the North, even while their brethren were enslaved in the South, and they themselves were not enjoying many of the blessings of freedom, and while their elevation was retarded, saw in this branch of journalism a timely and effective means of advocacy for the abolition of slavery in the South, and the improvement of the black man at the North. As early as the 30's an Afro-American was at the head of a popular monthly magazine, Mr. William Whipper having editorial control of The National Reformer in 1833, which was the property of the American Moral Reform Society.

This magazine was exceedingly popular, and was, as a matter of fact, read by more whites than blacks. It was published in the interest of the Abolition Movement, and of the moral, educational, and social reform of the people, irrespective of color. It therefore occupied a position, in which the Afro-American editor had to strive bravely to reach a high standard.

Mr. Whipper was a man of fine editorial powers; and the magazine under his control was, in most respects, the equal of its former literary managers. A leader of the race, familiar with Mr. Whipper's editorial work for reform, pays him this tribute: "Mr. Whipper's editorials were couched in chaste and plain language; but they were bold and out-spoken in the advocacy of truth."

It was in 1833 that Mr. Whipper sent to the world these favorable and suggestive words through The Reformer, relative to moral reform. Said he: "Our country is rich with