The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-10-23
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1880.
TO THE OOLORED PEOPLE.

~ 40 PAOoPOCCuS W
protect the interests of the colored
people in common with those of their
paler-hued brethren, we have never
yet presumed to tender the colored
people any particular advice, nor to
set ourselves up to lead or direct
their action. We trust then, that we
shall be pardoned for the few whole
some and very plain words which fol-
low =
Since your first exercise of the cleo
tive franchise you have acted with the
Republican party. This is right.
Your natural political position is
there. The policy of the Republican
party, as national organization, has
always been favorable to you. The
policy of the Democratic party, as a
national organization, has always
been unfavorable to you. It is true
that some individual Democrats have
proven themselves good friends to
you. 1t is also true that some Re
publicans have shown themselves to
be bitter enemies of yours" Wolves
in sleeps clothing" But an indi-
vidual, or dozen, or a hundred, is
not the party.
You say, however, that the Repub-
lican managers in Mercer county have
given you no recognition. That you
have not as many opportunities for
political preferment here as your
brethren have in New York, Balti-
more and other Democratic strong
holds. This, too, is true. But how
have you supported the Republican
party in Mercer county? For pay.
It is fact, humiliating one, but
nevertheless, fact, that a portion of
you who call yourselves Republicans,
have persistently and steadfastly re-
fused to vote at all unless you were
paid for it
You say that white men do the
same thing. 1t is true. But that
makes it none the less reprehensible.
Besides, there are great many white
men and a very few colored ones.
And that makes your action especially
noticeable. Again, you cast obloquy
upon the hundreds of honest black
men who vote from conviction and
principle.
For the sake of the race, stop this
sort of thing. Don't do it on the
second of November. If you won't
stop from principle-because it is
wrong there is another reason. 1t
don't pay.
You know who control the Repub-
lican party in Mercer county. You
know who have persistently refused
to recognize your claim to a portion
of the party spoils. You have never
yet been able to persuade them to
acknowledge your right to q share.
Noao compel then, to do 1t.
Give the candidates of the party
your undivided, honest, earnest, sup
port. Vote from principle. Let no
man sell his vote. Let no man de-
mand money from the party, unless
it be for legitimate work. Frown
down and ostracize the man who
does Publish him to the world.
Don't allow the race to be response
BILE for him. Work squarely and
fairly for the Republican party this
one time. And then, if victory is
achieved, demand your share of the
emoluments. Say Gentlemen, the
Republican party has triumphed
We are glad of it. We worked for
it. You could not have succeeded
without us. We have given you
high and honorable positions big,
fat offices. And, now, we want some
of the little ones. We want you to
give us a chance to learn trades in
your factories and workshops. We
are Americans. We want you to give
us the same chance to make a living
that you give the German and the
italian, the Englishmen and the
Swede, the Irishman and the French
man."
"And if they don't do it?" You
ask.
Go for them. Spot the men who
refuse. Go for their scalps as earn
estly and unitedly as you supported
them. Defeat them at all hazards.
Show them that if they desert you,