Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/290

282 a success, but it can be said that this one has been so from its very beginning, until now its power and influence are recognized by all.

This success is not so much due to the abundance of news-matter in the paper, as to the vigorous and able editorial writings of Mr. Smith. He is known among the white and black press as a fearless and brilliant writer. His paper, Republican to the core, always defends Republican principles.

To impress our readers as we desire in regard to Mr. Smith's editorial career in politics, we will insert what the Hon. Fred Douglass wrote to him in commendation of his course. Said Mr. Douglass: "In the midst of hurried preparations for a long tour in Europe, I snatch my pen, and spend a few moments in telling you how completely I sympathize with you in your political attitude. I do exhort your readers to stand by you in your effort to lead the colored citizens of Ohio to wise political action."

About our subject's course in politics and other matters, another representative scholar and thinker, Prof. W. S. Scarborough, says: "Though at times Mr. Smith has been severely criticised, he has never varied from what he considered his duty. He believes that the Republican party conserves best the interests of the negro, and thereupon he becomes its able and active defender. He believes that mixed schools are the best for all concerned, and especially for the negro—as separate schools imply race prejudice and race inferiority—and therefore he becomes the relentless enemy to the color line in schools. His articles are read with both pleasure and profit, to which fact is largely due the increased and increasing circulation of The Gazette."

Judge J. B. Foraker, it is said, owed his first election as governor of Ohio more to The Gazette than to any other newspaper, white or colored. As evidence of the governor's recognition of Mr. Smith's work, he secured him an