The Colored Press Poem by Robert C O Benjamin

Whilst perusing exchanges their dispositions I've traced,
I've paid some attention to their mode of embrace;
None to me opes his bosom, in language unplanned,
Like the 'Globe,' with his good honest shake of the hand.


The 'Advocate' has columns of fashion and jest,
And quite overpowers the 'Gate City Press.'
They are 'Family Guides,' but aught I demand,
How unlike the 'Conservator's' rough shake of the hand.


The 'Review' takes the unfortunate out of the mire,
Whilst the 'Progress' is calling the 'Citizen' higher,
The 'Bee' is saying we need never fret,
For the 'News' can be found in the Huntsville 'Gazette.'


In the 'Leader' good breeding is quite at its height,
Look at him if you wish to 'Advance' in the right.
The 'Era' and 'Tribune' is of the same clan,
But 'Echo' says give me the 'Bulletin' man.


If the 'Freeman' will 'Herald' the 'American's' traits,
Five hundred subscribers will boom the 'Three States,'
Then every 'Item' of interest the 'Journal' will rout,
And make it quite warm for the 'New South.'


The 'Afro-American' is the latest on hand,
Like the 'Times,' its 'Guide' is a very young man,
They are both as 'Industry' as the 'Banner' is keen,
The '[1]British Lion' is truly a talking machine.


Even the 'Enterprise' with his grave plodding face,
Would fail to imitate the 'Monitor's' grace.
If we repent we will all reach the 'Mansion' on high,
Or the 'Christian Recorder' has told us a lie.


In trying to 'Chronicle' I did not 'Express,'
That the 'Devil' once tried on the 'Sentinel's' vest.
If I did, why the 'Star' and the 'Pilot,' you know,
Would conduct me to his majesty's regions below.