Middletown transcript., 1870-11-19
nncoorlr1or ON THE coLonrD VOTE.

The following is from the Philadelphia
Morning Post, a radical organ. We, also
think it is time that distinction between
the black and white republicans, be laid
aside. Heretofore, except in the Southern
States. when the republican party is about
four 6fths negroes, the radicals have re-
fused to meet with them, except clandes-
timely in negro churches, schoolhouses.
&c. to give them any Office, or to openly
affiliate with them. Their only object
was to secure their votes that they might
retain power. In Delaware the republi-
can party is about half negroes, but in se-
lecting candidates, they were all taken
from the white half. In Maryland, the
proportion of negroes is greater, they
constituting two-thirds Of the republican
party, but yet there was not negro on
the ticket. And now, fearing that the
negroes know their strength, and will
nominate their own candidates, they pro-
pose positions in the custom houses, post
Offices, and other small Offices.
| There is not a single true Republican paper
that done, not gladly admit and not one candid
Democratic Journal that denies, the great import
ance of the colored vote in the October and
November elections. In every State it was
thrown almost solidly for the Republican candi-
dates. Nothing is clearer than that the colored
| citizens understand the issues of the day, and
that they not only know that to the Republican
party they owe their ballot, but that Republican
principles deserve TO be sustained. All tina,
could be asked of them they have given.
But it will not do to assume that colored men
must vote with the Republican party on local
questions. They are not TO be treated as mere
allies, but must be recognized officially as mari
of the grand army of progress and freedom. All
that is said in the following letter we unhesitat.
ingly endorse, and commend its practical good
sense TO the attention of the Administration
TO the Editor ofthe Post---SIR: The recent o.
lections in the several States have again shown
the progressive advance of right aud justice a.
gainst wrong The passage OF the Fifteenth A.
mendment has added to our voting community a
large class ofvoters, who by their votes at tb,
late elections have shown that they are power
in the land, and the Republican party may in
trutn ne thankful that it has the control of thai
power IN Its grasp, not only for the present, bu
for the future. New Jersey has redeemed her.
sell, and New York, the hot bed of Democracy
mas lost over &c, 900 of her usual vote Both q
these States owe much to the colored voters in
their midst, and especially New Jersey, where
the Republican success were secured by the col
ored voters. In our own election also thev held
the balance of power, as is well known.
Now, the question arises, since we know yba
they can do, what are ,oe to do as party TO re-
tain these voters? 1t is now time that i'caste
should be thrown aside and that we should Civ,
them the same encouragement that we give te
tnose OF our own race Their power has been
already recognized, for while the Democratic
party is reviling and abusing them publicly a.
has so long been their custom, privately over.
lures are being made to their leading men to Sc
cure their support. They have given us theil
votes TINS year as return for what we have done
in the past, but the issues of the future will be
different, and they must be bound to us by somt
more SOLID and encouraging ties than honeyeG
words, or we loose their votes. We have thous
ands OF positions in our gift in the navy yard
custom house, post office, mint revenue services
corporation offices, etc. as well as in the thous
ands of business houses in our midst but as We
there has not been found a single position fol
any OF the colored men in our midst SO well ftteC
to fill them.
1t is time this should be attended to. Civ,
these men positions, give their sons equal chanc
es with ours, and rest assured that they who un
der adversty and oppression have so well fttet
} themselves lor these POSITIONS Will creditaby fl
them. Give them their well-deseryed share n
the spoils, and thus encourage them to stand b,
) us in the future. We cannot afford to loos
these votes through carelessnes or want of promp
recognition of the power they represent, and
hope that they may receive such reward for thei
services during these past elections as will caus
: them to join their interests with curse in thos
. to come. r.
We believe in the abolition of all tests of rae
8 or color. We would not have white man an
pointed to office merely because he is white, no
colored man merely because he is colored, bu
we would have every element of the Repubiica
= party fully recognized and respected.