National Republican., 1876-01-31
TIE CoLoRED VOTE.
The Daily icsft-Pinchbsck 1ust bs
Eeeted.


To the Editor ofthe National Republican:
SIH: have been concerned in reading your
paper Of late. In It you have urged the Repuo-
ucan party and q Republican sdministration:t to
actively 10 mantain to the fullest extent OF their
powers and opportunitiesla full recognition Of
the colored mans rights as citizen; to give him
encouragement; TO induce him to organize in be-
half of the party. The Administration and the
party shoulu Tepel, whenever It may be appIo-
priately, the idea that our nation is "a white
mans government"
The interest OF the party will net be suoserved
by its not beeding your advice. Indifference In
these respects will cause the moral support that
aids the party, outside of the aid Of the colored
man, to become lukewarm and Indifferent
1t must be borne in mind that there IS not
much probability OF their being any Legislation,
emanating from Republican source that Will AZ:
tract the special interest OF the colored man, ana
that the Democratic party may, through Willy
character, and through an unaecountaDle ten,
man, outside OF q recognition of bis rights as a
political equal, secure the support OF some eoi-
ored men.
TIE Democratic party will, in all probability,
attempt legislaie, outside of the question OF
recognizing the equality OF the colored man, as
to Inc votes s oi Ren1can pary be-
cause it is lust and equitable, to give more coH-
sideration, more Inducements than 1t has to col
ored men, with the view OF properly encouraging
its colored adhersnts, which form a living force.
raE xUMER1c Al STRENGTH
OF The colored vote IN the North is greater than
is generally supposed: In New YORK, Pennsyl,
vaIia and Ohio the cOlored vote, independent OF
those who will 20 with 1t on principle, is larger
than was the majorites in each Of these States In
the late elections. In the South the colored vote
is not as IN the DAYS OF sseT A b tpfes f9l eS sow
ereign vote.
The Republican party has golden opportunity
coiored vote BY seating Hon. Mr.. PiDchback. Dis
guise it. as all llp2rtes may attempt, untrue though
1t may be, the idea nevertheless has deep hold
on the cOloTed mind, and on many other Just per:
sons, that the great stumbling block placed
against Mr.. Pinchback's entree into the United
States Senate is the fact that he is manly and
and will repel an insult, let IL come from any
quarter. II is felt that precedents have been out
that have not prevailed in other cases; that the
tests spilled in his case have not been appled 10
other: that he should, as in the case OF wnite
applicants, be seated the face facts OF the ad'
llitied Governors certificate.
l4tarn that abuse is to be used in debate
aRoinst the gentleman taking his seat. Thls
should not prevail, ii argues weakness. MI
Plncbback's friends might. IL it was dlgnined,
strike back. 1t may not do to talk too freely OF
tie past. The question is. as it should be, is
candidate worthy today of Senatorial recsg-
milton? Is he loyal? Are his papers correct?
The course of our party has been impolitic.
IT WEAKENED IN THE ESTIMATION
of The masses the Just position 1t assumed in de-
fense Of equality before the law by not giving
the came a bold, prompt and manly support IL
palG TOO n ucn regard 10 the Bue anu cry Vi Suo
enemy that was raised for 4 purpose to intimt-
date that had no Justification. Too many OF our
strong men withered under ii. They begin to
see their eTror.
We need not have lost Mississippi. We need
not lose that State. nor Louisiana and some other
Southern States, IL the Government Will exercise
fearlessly IT'S constitutional rig ht TO protect In the
Presidential election the national right OF the
poorest and bumblest citizen, white and blacs,
native and natuTsliZed, Protestant and Catholic,
to express through the ballot his preference as to
who shall rule over him and what shall be the
law 10 govern him. The Administration must see
to this The colored people must org aniZe. Their
vote must be unit. However desirable It may
be that the colored peoples vote should be d.
vided among parties, THAI division must be post
poned until the Opposition in this country bo
thoroughly leavened with the principles of our
party touching an equality of rights. Until that
day arrives the Republican PARTY must both
merit and challenge the tealty OF every colored
man who treads American soil. If the OpDosi-
tion, which seems to be blind, cannot learn these
principles it should and will be shiverad to pieces.
GEORGE T. DOWNING.