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86      THE CRISIS

"Then came the remarkable 'votes for Negroes;' justice NOW!' movement of the blacks throughout the country. Great mass meetings and restless bands of men and women, with black, agonized faces, marching through our cities and from town to town.
"Again Nefferman laughed!
"'Mere imitation!' he reassured us. 'Sambo and Topsy,' he explained, 'trying to mimic the English suffragettes. That is—all but the "hunger strike," Ha! ha! Sambo loves his po'k chops too well for that!'
"Still Nefferman laughed!
"'Mere imitation!" he reassured us. 'Sambo and Topsy,' he explained, 'trying to mimic the English suffragettes. That is-- all but the "hunger strike." Ha! ha! Sambo loves his po'k chops too well for that!"
"Still Nefferman laughed!
"But now 'a change came o'er the spirit of his dream.' Ten American soldiers and three citizens were shot on American soil during a raid by Mexican rebels. Six of those wounded died. The American government demanded from Mexico proper reparation and apology. This the Mexican government seemed reluctant to grant, disclaiming federal responsibility, and claiming also that the rebels were assisted by American adventures and mercenaries. Upon this some American State troops and a few regulars surreptitiously plunged over the Mexican border by night and captured the entire rebel band, of necessity shooting a few in the drastic transaction. All Mexico is flaming white hot over the 'outrage.' War may be declared upon us at any moment, and united Mexico, backed by her cunning and powerful ally, will bristle to the assault.
"Now Nefferman's levity subsided, and a look of determination clouded his Napoleonic brow. His pride was aroused. He would end his thing at once, and decisively.
"But now came the second greater shock: The 'peaceful" revolution of Hawaii, voted in by 20,000 Hawaiian-born Japanese youths, real 'American citizens,' who had a right to vote, and who, together with certain renegade whites and a wholesale importation of Negroes, formed a new political balance of power in the islands, thus assuring the success of their audacious plot It is anticipated that the next move will be annexation to Japan. A Hawaiian republic can hardly sand alone. Americans are leaving the islands.
"The government at Washington, beyond furnishing transports for the departing Americans, has done little other than to demand that the authority of the United States be recognized, as heretofore. It is asserted that the Atlantic fleet may be ordered to the scene to enforce our demands. Meanwhile, it is rumored that a dozen Japanese cruisers are already secreted in secluded Hawaiian waters awaiting the attack of the American squadron. There is, however no confirmation of this report.
"Nefferman is not laughing now!"
"Later: A most disquieting report reaches us to the effect that Charles H. Bowden, the American aviator, soaring over the supposedly unfrequented waters of the lower California gulf on Friday, made the startling discovery of a secret Japanese coaling station situated on a quiet bay, Some cruisers of lighter draft were hiding nearby. There appeared to be great activity on board. 
"Ft. Bayard, N. M., April 18. - Nearly half a company of United States colored troops stationed here deserted to the enemy when ordered to prepare for action against the Mexicans. Disloyalty is spreading among Negro troops. Further desertions seem imminent. The yellow peril is upon us. Behind all that has happened may now be discerned the hand of the plotting East. 
"Chicago, April 19. - At a mass meeting held here last night more than 2,000 Negroes, among whom were some of the leading colored people of this city, passed resolutions demanding 'votes for Negroes,' and 'the immediate cessation of lynching in the United States.' The Negroes declared they would not bear arms in the impending conflict unless the national government took steps for their relief. Similar meetings were held in Detroit, Cincinnati and St. Louis. The Negroes asserted that meetings of the like nature will take place soon in other leading cities, especially in the East and Northwest. The leaders of last night's meeting were arrested, but the disaffection continue to spread. It is a grave and alarming state of affairs. Severe punishment of the leaders will only inflame the blacks. Something must be done to win the Negroes over."

A tall, athletic, sun-browned man, emerging from a field of rustling corn, received a letter from the rural postman. It was noon. The dinner bell at the farmhouse had rung, and thither, letter in hand, the man started with swinging strides. The letter 

A MAN THEY DIDN'T KNOW       87

had originally been sent to X---, Mass. After repeated forwarding, it had finally reached him in Eastern Pennsylvania. It was from the President of the United States, and was as follows:
THE REV. GRANT NOBLE,
Pastor Baptist Church, 
X---, Mass.
REV. SIR:
In the present crisis, which threatens to become a national calamity, it is deemed advisable for the President to call together some representative men of your race with whom he may take counsel concerning the unprecedented attitude which colored citizens are assuming toward the national government. Your name was suggested by a gentleman from Massachusetts as that of a sagacious and resourceful man of unusual attainments and character. It is to such men as yourself that the President turns in this country's hour of need. No other President of the United States has had such a problem on his hands. Will you not meet with the President in Washington on the evening of April 21, at 8 o'clock? The expense of the trip will be met. No publication of this matter should be made at present. Sincerely yours, 
RODNEY MORRIS.
Secretary to President Martin Carlos Nefferman.
Grand Noble decided to go, though it might involve for him no small sacrifice. Ina. few words he set forth the matter before the good German folk for whom he worked, and with whom he and his little son enjoyed one of the pleasantest homes in which they had found shelter, on their gradual journey westward, since his unfortunate losses in Massachusetts. 
"Chess," assented the good farmer, a staunch Nefferman man, "dot vill pe alright. Go unt dalk mit him all vat he vants. Unt der chob, unt der liddle, mudderless poy vill pe here alright, ven pack you come."
That night Grant Noble was in Washington, and, a few minutes after 8, was shown into the President's office. Three other colored men, all strangers to him, were already waiting. At nearly 9 o'clock another colored man, a bishop of pompous mien, was ushered in. Out of fifty who were asked to come but fiver were present. 
The President, burdened and worn, though not precisely upon the minute, came promptly without the slightest hint of ceremony, and, arrogating to himself no air of Saxon superiority, got immediately to business.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I want your help, and your sympathy. I know your race has been abused; I know we have lost its confidence. Can it be restored?"
The prelate, to whom all deferred, spoke first - a set speech, and an old one - grandiloquent; vain, he threw no light upon the subject. Plainly, his sole desire was to "show off" - to get advertised. He had not the intelligence nor sense to know that he had failed. And upon the impenetrable face of Nefferman there was no sign.
One after one, three other Negroes spoke, and in their talk that long telegraph pole of a capital letter "I" was indubitably apparent. Evidently each thought that he could lead his race back to loyalty - and withersoever he chose. 
"Do you think, gentlemen, that Dr. Packer T. Jefferson would be the proper leader to carry through any plans upon which we might decide?" asked the President. 
It was Grant Noble who answered.
"There is just one man," he declared, "who can prevail with my people now. That man is not Dr. Jefferson. They would follow Dr. Jefferson through life, to progress and success, but I doubt if Dr. Jefferson himself would presume that he could lead them into death. That requires a warrior soul! There is one mighty black man whom my people would follow into death. That man is Jed Blackburn, the discredited Negro boxer. I am aware of his mistakes and of his limitations. I know he is in great disfavor. But, if you would win back the American Negro, get this man into action. He is lion hearted and patriotic."
"Do you know this man personally?"
"Yes, slightly."
"if this plan is decided upon," asked the President, "would you be willing to undertake its negotiation?"
"I think so, sir."
"And what boon would you offer him - what reward?"
"Redemption, through the battlefield; a patriot's bright glory, perhaps a patriot's death, but REDEMPTION."
(To be concluded in the January CRISIS.)