The Saint Paul Appeal
Saturday, September 14, 1901.
James Benjamin Parker
James Benjamin Parker
The Man Who Felled the Assassin of McKinley and Prevented the Third Shot.
Afro-Americans to the fore.
In every crisis in the history of the Nation it seems that the hand of Providence has placed the Afro-American where he could be of the greatest use at the time when there was the greatest need. The first blood shed in the Revolutionary war was that of a black man Crispus Attucks. In 'the darkest hour of the slave-holder's rebellion, 300,000 Afro-American soldiers entered into the struggle, and to these re-enforcements must be given the credit of making the victory of the North possible.
In Cuba the black regulars fought in Cuba their way and fame. Even over the bodies of white soldiers up San Juan Hill to victory.
Last week at Buffalo it was an Afro-American, who threw himself upon the would-be assassin of President McKinley and prevented him from firing a third shot, thus saving the President’s life.
All honor to the Afro-American. The country can depend upon him where-ever the National in peril.
The Afro-Americans of the country owe it to themselves to give a testimonial to one of their number, James Parker, who saved the life of President McKinley last week at Buffalo. But for Parker's presence and prompt action Czolgosz would have fired another shot and it is likely the President would have been killed.
For several years the southern propaganda of abuse of the Afro-Americans has been constant. Northern magazines and newspapers have been filled with the vilest criticisms of the race. Southern lecturers have pictured the Afro-American as a brute. When James Parker felled the assassin Czolgosz Friday he saved President McKinley's life and unconsciously struck a blow for his race, for the wide publicity given to his noble actions may cause the American people to awake to the fact that the Afro-American is not a brute but a man.
They seem to have forgotten that in every war Afro-Americans have fought for the flag. Now Providence has allowed an Afro-American to save the life of the ruler of the greatest Nation on earth.
This may cause the American people to stop and think. Parker's action was noble, fearless, patriotic. He deserves a testimonial. THE APPEAL gives $10. How much will you give, reader?
The attempted assassination of President McKinley has fully opened the eyes of this country in reference to those dangerous vipers, the anarchists and, if congress does not take decided action tending toward their, annihilation or subjection we will be very much mistaken. Then, too, the members may be more inclined to do something to suppress the lawlessness that is rife in the land which has resulted in 3,000 lynchings in twenty years, and no doubt had much to do with the attempt upon the life of the President.
Just after we went to press last week the whole country was horrified by the dastardly attempt to assassin ate President McKinley at Buffalo. The minutest details of the crime have been furnished to the world and everyone except the few of God's creatures who are entirely devoid of hearts have been bowed in sorrow and sympathy. And, now, except those few heartless creatures, all are radiant with joy that the assassin's purpose failed, and that the President's life will be saved.
MCKINLEY,
Whose Life Was Saved by the Heroic Action of
James Benjamin Parker.
…
Two Southern states Georgia and South Carolina, are contending over the honor of being the birthplace of
James Parker, Afro-American who saved President McKinley's life!
The Appeal, Saint Paul, Minn., September 28, 1901.