The Freeman

Michigan City, Ind., May 29, 1898.
Mr. Geo. L. Knox, Editor of The Freeman, Indianapolis, Ind.:
Dear Sir—Permit me to introduce myself, Simon Booker, to you. I am confined in the Michigan City prison on the charge of murder and received a life sentence. Your name appeared to me a few nights ago and I could not rest for thinking of you and the good that you had done. I simply wish to congratulate you upon your many victories through life. Wishing further joy and happiness and a long life, I remain, yours in truth,
SIMON BOOKER.

Mr. Booker can accept this testimonial of our utmost appreciation. We feel that, if while thus confined he has time to think of us the milk of human kindness, mercy and compassion can not be dried up in his breast. We trust that, be he guilty or otherwise, his incarceration has been sufficient atonement for his misdoings, no matter how great. The great God of the universe, that notes the sparrow's fall, has made it possible for man to redeem himself, no matter how low his estate. Man has as much right to show the same humanity to mankind. The reformation idea in the prison system is all right. Every man has a moral right to a chance for reforming. It ought to lie in the individual's possibilities to leave prison walls by means of his own personal endeavors.
We feel grateful to Mr. Booker, whoever he may be, when he reserves out of his fortnightly opportunities to write a letter to expend one of the highly prized chances in writing to The Freeman.
We note with pleasure the invitation to be present at the reception to be given the president, Dr. James Henderson, of the Morris Brown College, of Atlanta, Ga.
The "greatest" this or that should be effectually tabooed, for it simply means nothing. As long as we are to measure our deeds by other standards than those employed by the world in general the estimation of our abilities will be vague indeed. The race at this period may not be able to claim the lead in anything as a race, and this is no reflection. But the time has arrived for the parting of the ways so far as the individual is concerned. As an example, to say that Paul Dunbar's contribution at such and such a time to such and such a magazine was the best production of the race up until this time, does not in any sense show the status of Mr. Dunbar's efforts, from the fact that the result of the efforts of the race is not known, nor even estimated. In what category of authors will Mr. Dunbar take rank? Is he to be classed with Riley, Nye, Harte, Fields, or Kipling or is it a sacrilege to name him in connection with such an illustrious quintet? If he is in their class, and they stand at the head of their particular lists, then where does Dunbar stand in the list to which he is assigned? Until such a test is applied the position of aspirants for fame can never be ascertained. There are no two standards here any more than in the monetary world.
The many friends of James Turner, formerly of this city, but now living in Providence, R. I., will be pleased to learn of the success he is having. The following was clipped from the Richmond, Va., Planet
"Mr. James J. Turner expects to move into his new $3,000 (three thousand dollar) cottage on Carr street, the 1st of June. This cottage was very finely built. The interior is finished up very handsomely. The reception hall, parlor and stairs are all natural cherry, dining room oak, kitchen and china closet and back hall natural Southern pine. Gymnasium room, bath and three bed rooms. Finest cottage owned by a colored man in Providence. This cottage was built by Mr. Myers R. Armstrong, contractor and builder. Mr. Turner was formerly a resident of Indianapolis."