Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-04-30
THE COLoRED uEN,s CON.
VERTrON.

II Convention at Bulls Gap, at which
time we presume they will in a measur,
decide upon what course they viii pur
cue tovsrd the several aspirauts fol
office, especially in regard to the two
prominent candidates for Congression
al honors at the November election
We feel 10th to give advice where
none Is actually required, believing as
we do that the colored people Of this
District are already pretty well in.
formed as TO the merits of the two as.
pirants, Judge Gillenwaters and r. r.
Butler, SO far as their claims upon the
suffrage Of their race is concerned.
Mr.. Butler has been in Congress for a
number Of years, and if they a find
wherein he has lent his influence to the
advancement Of their interests in a
single instance, we would be glad to
hear Of II, and to give him credit &c.
cordingly. 1t can not bc claimed that
ne has failed for want Of opportunity.
This has been plainly set forth by us
in the past, and those who are in favor
of continuing him in office must seek
some other excuse for doing 80. We do
not presume to dictate to them. They
are American citizens clothed with full
power to act for themselves, and we
earnestly desire that they should do so,
regardless of our own or any one else's
wishes in the premises. If we did not
deem them capable Of doing this we
should consider them unworthy of the
right TO exercise the elective franchise.
W. propose in the future as in the past
to only suggest a line Of policy as we
do to other voters, and if we cannot
give a good and sufficient enson for
them to act upon it, they will of course
reject it and adopt n Of their own.
They do however W. it to themselves
TO examine carefully into the conduct
ofthe men whom they have helped to
place in power, and if their interests
have been neglected or ignored it ought
not to be difficult for them to decide
upon trying some n else. There are
in this District many honest, upright
and intelligent colored men who have
worked faithfully for the administra.
ton and for the Republican Party
Have their labors been properly ap-
preciated? Have they been in any
way recognized as having claims upon
the party in power? Have they re.
ceived any reward such as white men
naturally expect and look forward to for
like services? If they have, let the
friends and advocates of Mr.. Butler
point it out and let him have full cred.
II for it. If they have not then, let
them give a reaso why this state of
affairs is allowed to exist.
In other sections colored men are
allowed to hold q share of the offices
and we know of no district in the
South or North where their claims are
80 completely ignored uasin this,
If the colored men are satisfied with
this sort Of management we have no
right to complain, nor shall we /; but it
10 Nj duty rs public Journalists to lay
the matter plainly before them. Let
them see tin all its bearings, and then
e they Q proper to return the party
responsible for this neglect to Congress,
the responsibility will rest upon them
and not upon us. We trust the Con.
vention for the good of the race will
calmly and carefully examine all these
questions and act upon them as seems
best for the general good. This should
be done in a spirit of candor and fair
ness, giving 10 each his just due and
setting down naaght in malice. If
Mr. Buffers record will bear the test
of such a scrutiny, well and good.
IL not, then they must look to some
n else to represent them. fla mans
political history will not support him,
he must of course fall, and he has no
one to blame but himself, and if he
makes it his sole business to represent
race regardless of the other, he
onght not to expect the support Of the
n he neglects. This is plain, reas.
oning, and we only ask that the color.
ed mel examine the question candidly
and act in accordance with their best
Judgment, q