The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-05-03

Now, then, for your question, what
should the blacks doP
First of all, they should be taught that
they can now freely and honorably choose
their political associates without refer
ence to the past history of their race.
They should be taught that the men
who fought for their freedom are now in
a helpless minority IN the Republican
party; that the blacks owe it no allegi-
anCe whatever; and that its recognized
leaders, who WELD the power of govern
ment are to-day the recreants who advo-
cate and defend and decree their
abandonment.
1t is true that the Democratic party re-
sisted their enfranchisement, but it is
equally true that the Republicans refuse
to protect them in the exercise of the
franchise they gave. There is absolutely
no difference whatever, now, between
the Democratic party and the Republi-
can party las represented by Hayes on
the question of the rights and condition
ofthe negro, excepting in one important
particular. That exception is a vital one.
1t points out the path of safety to the
black voter 1t points out also the path
of duty. We owe allegiance where we
receive protection. The Democrats pro-
tect the Democratic negro, the Republi-
cans abandon the Republican negro.
For myself, being white man, and
northern man, propose to remain in the
Republican party to do my part to purge
it from the thieves on the one hand and
the demagogues on the other. hand who
now infest it; but # | were negro and
in the South, should join the Democrat.
ic party at once, and vote for its candi-
dates whenever they were reputable men
Whenever they were bandits I should
refuse to vote at all. / was a member of
the first national Republican committee
and / have always been radical Repub-
liCan in my political action. But | was
more than that-a "Kansas Republican"
"a "John Brown abolitionist" and
through good or evil report, have never
wavered in advocating the rights of the
negro. There is no man so black that l
am ashamed to look in his face. l feel
that / have done my duty to the black
race. And with this record, unbroken
by single word or act conservative, |
should urge the black men Of the South,
if my voice could reach them, to join the
Democratic party.
VI.
Ifthey were to do soif body what
would the result be? Absolute protection
to begin with, in their rights and proper
ty. They would not be driven from their
homes by the thousands as they were
driven into the highways of South Caro-
lima and Mississippi and Louisiana, be.
cause of their fidelity to the Republican
party. The Democratic negro is the SAT-
est male creature that l know of in the
gulf states. All other males must fight
for themselves. For him only every
white shotgun is ready to do battle TO the
DEATH
The exodus OF the blacks to the Demo-
cratic party would make that powerful
organization the champion of negro
rights. There is a movement growing
rapidly in the Republican party that
seeks to limit the franchise to the educa-
ted class and the holders of property.
The sentiment has grown out Of the cor.
ruptions Of the shillelah rule in New
York and other northern cities that are
controlled by the Irish vote. The Dem
ocrats will resist this measure on behalf
of the IrisE and blacks, because the me-
gro vote gives the South thirty-nine
members of Congress, which the Demo-
Gratis have now gained forever in conse.
quence Of Hayes's southern policy. z