New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-08-20
From the Progressive American.
Reply to the "Era.''

If there is one mistake greater than an
other the cOlored voters of this country have
made during their brief political career, it is
the maintenance of that mastery inactivity,
and an entire absence of energy on their
part TO bring about those results they so
much desire, but have trusted everything at
all times, with few exceptions, implicitly in
the devotion of the Republican party to their
welfare, thinking it only necessary to vote
the ticket manufactured to order, without
their assistance), and placed in their hands
by Republican Conventions. To have ask
ed question about the personal fitness OF
a candidate was looked upon as disloya:,
and to question any Of the assertions of a
Republican newspaper, as regards the can
didate, was in their eyes evidence of atfilia-
ton with Democracy. p d.
There are few untrammeled colored men of
good judgment, who to-day does not con-
| slider this mistake.
The general feeling, after four years of in
action, is if we get what we want we mus
take our cause in our own hands. There are
some good meaning people who think there
is nothing to be gained by agitation these
people may be excused, but there are others
who advocate this policy, pot from a conf
dencc in it, not because they believe it to be
for the benefit of the whole, but from selfish
motives. 1t is question of patronage Or
nOn-patronage to them, yet they make, or
endeavor to make, a show of devotion to
their race never enjoyed by anyone else.
These men are not "Blind Leaders" by any
means their eye is always open and single
to themselves. Such men are not "blind"
but unsafe leaders. We are little surprised
to find the Ne,c National Era on the roll OF
this class, and little more surprised TO see
that that DISTINGUISHED and PATRIOTIC
journal can not hold public discussion with
an opponent, without resOrting to those vulgar
cpithets of COWARD and LIAR. We could
have expected better things from journal
that aspires to be the mouth-piece of the col
Ored Americans. No man would use this
slang unless he saw in them a counterpart of
himself. 1t is not always the way either to
reach a solution of facts. Bombast with
some may mean arguments, and to its pos
SCISSOR it may seem wisdom, but to the world
it does not, and to us it is but sounding
brass.
The Era first arraigned US for our political
luke-warmness, and asked us few questions
which we answered, and presume the an
swers were satisfactory, as the Era has raised
no point against them but evidently having
no other questions to ask. repeats the ques-
tons already conclusively answered.
From the article in the Era which will be
found in another column we quote: ''does
the AMERICAN regard the Republican party
as treacherous, if so, will it tell us why COL
ored men should support 20
If failing to do what they promised to do,
what they acknowledge to be their duty to
do, what they had at any time an opportu-
nifty to do, and yet on account of opposition
{ in order to satisfy us }, they claim their in.
ability to do; in short, if protesting desire
to do what they will not if they can help it
do, is treachery, then the Republican party
is treacherous is it not? Still in that party
We have friends; not friends from policy
only, but from principle but because they are
the friends of humanity; they would be the
same to a white race in our position. Such
originally was the Republican, party; such,
indeed Is an element Of it to-day. The
Era we'll knows that only remnant of the
old element, who are willing, regardless of
consequences, to see the pledged principles
of the party developed to their fullest extent
now remain.
The Brownlows, Carpenters, EatOns, &C.,
&C., are a powerful element in the party.
Without possessing one, particle OF its princi-
pies relative to the black man, there is suffi-
Gent of this class to retard it in the perform
ance of its avowed principles. There is a
desperate game being played in the kepubii-
can party, and that too by skillful hands.
They see the reefs from afar, and when the
ship strikes they intend to come on top.
These men are merely hangers-on for
what they can get, and if they are to accom-
plish anything in accordance with Republic
can principles, they must be whipped into it;
they would rather grant Civil Rights than
lose continuance in power. On the other
hand, the Democratic party, as party, are
our enemies, so far as all that pertains to
manhood is concerned; hence, while there
are treacherous manifestations in the Repub-
lican party, the only friends we have are
there, and with their assistance we can, II
we will, compel the traitors to draw straight
in the traces, until they have drawn us up 70
Civil Rights. Is this reason why we should
STAY there, Mr.. Era. Shall we not choose
the least of the two evils?