The Contest Off

The Marietta Times, February 14, 1894

The Colored Girl the Bone of Contention

The oratorical contest between the pupils of the Marietta and Parkersburg High Schools is off.

When it was announced last week that a colored girl had been selected as the essayist to represent Marietta there was a kick among the Parkersburg contestants. Feeling was so high that Prof. Ames wrote to Prof. Smith of Marietta, explained the situation and requested that either the colored girl's name be dropped from the program or else drop the essay altogether. We are informed that Mr. Smith has replied and refuses to drop either the colored girl or the essay.

That settles the contest as far as Parkersburg is concerned as the pupils absolutely refuse to take part on account of the colored girl being on the program. The most vigorous kick comes from some of the pupils who have Republican parents. - Parkersburg Sentinel.

The above tells the story. Parkersburg wanted a contest with Marietta. The arrangements were all made and the contestants all selected. But Parkersburg discovers "a fly in the ointment," and the contest all at once becomes offensive to those of our sister city.

And why their disquietude? Because, forsooth, a colored girl, one who through her life, and because of no fault of her own, must be marked with a dark skin, which is harder to be borne than would be the brand of Cain, has been announced as one of the Marietta selections.

Because this girl, by the use and improvement of the talent and advantages that God has given her, and in the exercise of the rights guaranteed to her by the fundamental law of the land, has, after competition with those who have fairer skins, been fairly awarded the place of honor, then does our sister city heap insult and indignity upon her by refusing to engage in the contest because she is to be in it.

We have heard of the chivalry of the South. We have read of it in prose and in rhyme. We have gloried in it, and if we could have successfully invoked the aid of the Muse, would before this have sung of it in words that would have been immortal; but those of whom we have heard and read and would have sung, would not decline a combat for the reasons given in this case. They, in their greatness, would say, "let the best one win," and would be satisfied with the result of whatever color might be the one who gained the day.

It is strange that Prof. Ames, a Belpre boy, should be the medium through which this decision is made known, for if our memory does not play us false as to the traditions of the past, there were several stations of the Underground Railroad close to the spot where Frank was born and raised.

As our contest for the selection of the Marietta scholars to compete with those from Parkersburg was public, it may be the latter place had some of its emissaries in attendance, and that the displays of oratory, eloquence and ability were so great that they were dismayed and reported to those who sent them that literary giants dwelt in the land and that it would not be safe for them to attempt to possess it.

Fear of failure, fear that this daughter of Ham might be the victor and not race prejudice may be the underlying reason for their withdrawal.

If this be the case we admire their discretion but deplore their lack of chivalrous behavior.