The “New York News” claimed that during 1912 Harrison was “the most trusted and valued speaker of the Socialist Party in the city” and “demands were sent to the Party for his services as speaker and debater all over the United States.” After one of his talks at Wall Street in New York on September 13, the “New York Times” described him as “an eloquent and forceful negro speaker” who “shattered all records for distance in an address on Socialism in front of the Stock Exchange building.” He reportedly “mounted the stand in front of the Socialists’ banner at noon and started in with a description of life in the medieval ages.” At first his voice reached the outermost limits of the crowd, but as the hours passed and his voice grew huskier, the circle of auditors drew closer. He went strong into the third hour and then talked himself into a hoarse whisper before ending.
-- From Jeffrey B. Perry, “Hubert Harrison: The Voice of Harlem Radicalism, 1883-1918” (Columbia University Press), p. 191 -- Read More
