New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-06-18
Defeat the Treach rOus Reward
the Faithful.

Complete liberty and exact equality in the
enjoyment Of all civil, political and public
rights, should be established and effectually
maintained throughout the Union by efficient
and appropriate State and Federal legisla-
ton. N.i.ner the law nor its administration
should admit of any discrimination in respect
Of citizens by reason of race, creed, color, or
previous condtl5ii Of servitude. -Reljt an
Plat form, 1872.
The above plaak in the Philadelphia plat
form of the Republican party, securedzthe
united support % elorea .o,ers for President
Grant and the party of which he is the chief.
The Democracy, under the leadership OF
Horace Greeley threw out a similar bait for
the .colored vote, in the following language,
and made it the first and most conspicuous
plank in their platform:
"We recognize the equality Of all men be-
fore the law, and hold that it is the duty OF
government in its dealings with the people
TO mete out equal and exact justice to all of
whatever nativity, race, color, or persuasion,
religious or political"
The colored voter lacked faith in the sim
cerity of the professions of the Democratic
party. That party ship was looked upon as
sailing under false cOlors. Its past record
was SO directly opposite to its professions
that none but the most credulOus and guilt
BILE gave it any honest following. The result
was lgnominious defeat and the return Of the
Democrats to their love Of rum and hate Il
''niggers." ColOred men were not deceived
into voting the Democratic ticket in 1872
they stood stealfas,ly by the Republican,
party and its promises to them. These prom,
ises are embodied in the plank from the
Philadelphia platform at the beginning Of
this article. Since the ratification by the
people, of the National Republican Platform.
in the Presidential election OF 1872 we have
had two sessions of Congress, controlled by
the Republican party. We have looked to
those sessions for the performance of the
promise of The Republican party in regard to
equality before the law. We have seen the
commencement to fulfil the promise by the
Senate of the United States. We find in the
House, elected by the people, hesitating
disposition displayed which leads many to
inquire "IIave we really been deceived by
the Republican party" That few men in
the House Of Representatives, claiming to
be Republicans, and that the New York
Times, a leading Republican organ, opposes
equality before the law for the negro, is true
1t is true that this opposition. though small
is large enough--Owing To parliamentary,
rules = to prevent the consideration If tn.
measure. for equality before the law, thai
stands the best chance Of becoming u law
The larger number of Republican members
of the House OF Representatives support the
Civil-Riehts Bill, as passed by the Senate
This fact constrains us TO continue our faill
in the party. While we believe in the Re
publican party as political organization. We
do not believe in supporting the men who
protesting to be Republicans, oppose the
Civil Rights Bill. Such men used the planl
quoted at the beginning of this article, as a
Sener, of Virginia is notable example. He
is bitterly opposed TO the Civil-Rights Bill
and in that opposition misrepresents great
er portion of the men who elected him to
Congress. lie should be utterly repudiated
by every colored voter and true Republican
in his District.
COlorcd voters, it is your duty to refuse Ia
give your support to the so-called Republi.
cans who oppose your complete liberty. Such
men must be defeated in order to save the
Republican party from occupying the posi-
ton held by the Democratic party IN 1872.
The Democratic party in the campaign Of
1872, was confidence party, party Of false
pretenses, a humbug and a fraud. 1t didno
intend 10 keep its promises, and the country