The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1875-08-18
The Republican Party and tho ColoTCd
Race.

Prof. Langston, ono Of tho loading
colorcd men in America in recent
speech delivered ut Chillicothc,
Ohio, apcaks as follows on the con.
ncction Of the blacks with tho re-
publican party.
"It will bo perceived from what
[ have already said that I hold that
CONSIDERATIONS OF TIE COMMON
OooD,
maintained through ita agency,
which bind the white voter to tho
republican party, or lead him to
change his party relations, md 90.
operate with another, do and
should, in the main, determine the
conduct of tho, colored voter.
Should the republican party over
provo false, in policy or principle
to tho highest good of the republic,
influenced by corrupt leaders or
erroneous doctrines, tho duty of
tho colorcd voter TO abandon and
leave it would be as imperative aud
obligatory as that Of his otdor follow
citizens,
Our relations to this party arc
those which spring from political
conviction, tho result Of an intolli.
gent apprehension Of our duty az
American voters. If through this
party NO have been cmancipatoA
and enfranchiscd, protection Of life
and limb accorded us, il is because.
in scoking to secure tho largest good
OF tho nation, and in its efforts in that
behalf, our freedom md elevation
lavo been accomplished. Gratefully
Tor all this, wo find therein no CON
consideration Of obligation binding
us in any special manner or degree.
This party seeks tho conservati on
of tho general good. Fourteen ycars
OF administration of tho state aud
national government, during the
most evontful period of our history
demonstrates the sincerity of its pur.
pose and its power. It is tho duty
of all, tho colored citizen no moro
than tho white, through influence
and vote to sustain it in this work.
Iho republican party is not, then, q
black mans party. 1t was not or
ganlzod solely, nor even mainly, in
his interest. 1t makes no plodgos
to caro for his wolfaro beyond that
OF any or all othor. Having intro.
ducod him, in accordance with law
into tho American body politio, it
gives him common and equal, but
no peculiar or special ca re. Equal
rights and equal protection in their
enjoyment is its guaranty to all. TO
this end itpledges its power.
BUT WHAT OF "ruE NEW DEPART.
URE 7"
For since tho 5th Of last month,
whcn Frederick Douglass and my
self addressed q 'mooting of our
colorod citizcns at Hillsdalc,
near Washington city, discantiug
upon tho conduct Of certain individu.
ais and associations, advising tho
people with regard thereto, and
when = now declaration of indopend~
cNco was submitted and adoptcd.
wo have road much in certain politi.
cal journals and heard divers oxpros
sions which indicate that somo of
our friends feel that there is to . be
general exodus of tho colorcd pco-
pie, north and south, from the re.
publican party; aud besides, within
very few days We havo had sent to
many of us al ella bcrato and lengthy
document "On tho future of the
colored man in tho SOUTH" written
by O. Governor Scott, Of South Caao.
lima; formerly resident of Ohio, in
which wo arc advised, in sort of
fratornal, yet moro of patronizing
spirit, Of our political duty and dan.
gcr. The words Of this OK governor,
formerly an ardent republican, have
to us y strange sound. 1t is not
tho clear, inspiring voico Of disin-
tercste1ncss, the assuring uttcranco
of jnd'cious statesman nship. tho buglo
blast Of that leadership which com.