Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-07-20
H COLORED VOTE.

orators urged upon the colored men il
their audiences the Importance to then
al thinking Tor themselves, and dlvid
ing between the political parties a:
they might think their interests die
tated; and pointed out the danger tc
themselves of voting solidly with ont
party. which was thereby enabled to use
their consolidated vote rs 4 political cat
apult 10 beat down the walls of their ell
cmy's citadel, without regard to the
damage done 10 the instrument by which
the destruction was accomplished. Mr.
Schurz. even. portrayed in the strongest
language the deSsrability of a division
of the colored vote; and Gov. Hampton
Sn rl"Yueutly portrayed its necessity il
South Carolina aS to produce anon
that class OF voters Il change amounting
TOT revolution. This cutting loose from
the repub lean part. 81 man colored vo'
tiers in the south, is an established ~fact:aud
II is being gradually accomplished
IN other parts of the country; also
While it may he true that their votes are
not needed in Missouri, where democra-
cy has a majority ranging between fifty
and seventy-live thousand, and while we
would not advise that their votes be
sought by any OF the arts OF the dcma-
gogue. We think it the part of wisdom to
show them that democrats are their
friends that the democratic party. in its
desire - advance the interests of the la
boring masses of the country. is working
every day for their benefit that its ad-
vocacy of southern and western enter
prlSeS is tor their good that its oppo-
sition OF eastern greed helps them and
that Is laborers. which most OF them are.
their interests are bound up with those
"t their employers; Us. il the latter sue
coed, they also will thrive. Ii the col
ored men OF the country will look more
to the future. and less to 4 past which was
largely controlled by the previous history
oi the country, when their yankee friends,
among others. helped to iasten upon the
nation The institution of slavery. and
ONLY changed their views regarding it at
ter selling their slaves because they
proved Improbable. they will improve
their condition III life. and be better cit
liens. That there is Il growing tenden-
cy this way We feel convinced and in re-
Spouse to a request made by several otthe
most intelligent colored voters OF the city.
We print below an extract from the
Chicago Conservation, 4 paper published
by colorcd men, in the interests of the
cu!nrei race, and which has strong re-
publican leanings. The article is head
ed. Where Shall We Coz" and the
question is answered rs follows: The
la. elections are near upon us. 1t be-
I!"oyeS each colored man to ask himself
the question. " it'll what party can |
most safely identify myself?' There is
widespread dissatisfaction with the re-
publican party, especially in the south.
Oar faith in republican promises having
been, TO q certain extent. destroyed !;
having bacn long accustomed to regard
the democratic party as our most inyet-
crete foe. many of Us are placed in =
strait brtwixt the two. Our old friends,
the republicans, naturally couut upon US
tor support as q return Tor past tayors
shown; the democrats w!Illeave no stone
uDturnei to capture the coiored vote !;
the Independents are trying. by every
art Of political chicanery imaginable, to
win Us over to them. Heretofore we
have been republican sat al times and
under all circumstances :" hereafter, We
iecl confident in predicting that in pol
itics we will be independent. The real
era OF 0ur independence will just begin
Ia dawn when party is lost sight OF, and
the ballot in our hand is used to further
our own interests. The colored vote is
strong enough to be telt in E.any OF the
northern and most OF the western states:
is an important consideration IN every
campaign. and becoming more and more
81. We are no longer i unit for the
republican party: the democrats can't
afford to ignore us. and are ver-anXious
for our support; the Independents have
promised to receive us with open arms;
where shall we 90? We would not ad-
wise the utilization of the coiored voters
rs u whole with either party. We be-
lieve this matter should lie Yiewed in the
light of expectancy, as well rs strictly
should maintain an independent position.
and when called upon to vote, the old
maxim. 'Selt-pregervation is the first
law OF nature should influence us in
making our choice of parties. Time
brings many changes. In nothing has
there been q more percept'ble change
than in the feeling entertained by the
colored people toward their former OPP
pressors. This feeling is partly born Of
necessity partly from deliberate choice :;
partly from the tendency of many OF our
former enemies to make friends. None
are more willing than we to let by
cones be ~by-gones." and labor unitediy
tor The common veal. Our freedom is
settled once for all. 1t is hardly prob
able that any attempt will be made to
wrest il from us. There was Il time
when there was positive danger of such
Il calamity but that time has passed.
We have only to look well to Il inter
ests as in every other field. and all things
else vii! take care of themselves. In
making our choice OF politics. the inter-
ests OF No. l must be looked after. This
is in brief our answer to the question
propounded."
We print upon the outside of this is
sue the speech made by Hon. James O.
Broadhead on assuming the chair as
president OF the state convention. Ii
Will well repay reading. and its bold and
uneguivocai words will raise the gen
tieman high in the estimation of tn
people OF Lafayette county. The ques'
ton which he discusses is one of i'm.
portance TO our people, and those who
braveiy champion their rights in it, will