The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-10-19
Why re is a Democrat.

L. C, Dawson. (coloredl health officer
Chicago, Democrat, and who stumped
Indiana for the Democracy gives the Re-
publican bulljozers a slap. and clearly
demonstrates that the colored voters are
voting against their interests to continue
with the Republican party. 10 the Chi
cage Times hespublishes the following
ing card which is very explicit
To the Editor of Times
II am now in Chicago, aud not 10 In
dianspoIis breaking stones, as it was
alleged by certain Republican papers. 1t
is true left Chicago to make speeches in
Indiana 10 company with my other coler-
ed friends in the interest of the Demoera-
oy; and | DO not think it disgraceiu or
dishonorabie for. a colored man to be q
Democrat. On the contrary, l believe it
to be honorable and consistent with the
independence and Intelligence of any man
to give his opinion and sentiment as he
pleases, and not to be governed by the
malignant threats and meEaees OF few
coiored men who have not the ambition to
aspire above the level of spittoon-w washer.
As 1.-THE great Roman said, The times
change. and men are changed with them.
am glad to observe that the young color
ed men of intelligence. of education. aud
independence. are no longer slaves to one
political party. but propose like white
men to vote to suoserve their best interests
The Republican party by the use of the
negro have Kept themselves in power and
assaulted the peopis in the south for intim-
idation of the negro. But ask all honest
and conscientious men if any act of lntlml-
- ~ II,
ed people in the south equal to my iocar-
cerstion in Indiana, Ind, simply because
Iwas there to speak for the Dem
ocrat;c ,partyP Why not arrest Bob
IngersolI, who is going from tows to
town and from ST. te to state endeavoring
to destroy our religious instructions, But
no, whenever q man attempts ID expose
the faliacy and corruption of the Republi-
can party, like monarch which they are
trying to establish he must be arrested
and put in Jail, like myself and seventeen
other colored men, whom they would set
at liberty if they would vote the Repub!i-
can ticket. [ emphatically told them
rather than to vote the Republican ticket,
would lie in Jail until the rats and vermin
eat the flesh off my bones, Thea" said
they, you damned bigger, sou must stay
in iaii till we get ready to let you out. -
After being oaDfned for two hours [ paid
man 81 to go and tell the Hon. William
Fl. English that [ was arrested. lie
i'm N ediateIy came and demanded my
release he becoming my surety, which was
DONE The Republican party has no
respect or regard for the negro other than
TO use him as a poitieSl slsVe, which they
have done for nearly twenty gears.
The Republican party will take Gotice
that the negro of this country proposes't to
submit to the mandates of the law. ike
patriotic citizens, but will vote as he thinks
best.
The negro Of this country cannot always
be Republican. He must divide, because
truth, justice and independence hemand
| it. To be man he must think for him.
| self
In conclusion, am proud and happy to
say that Messrs. Hancock and Eaglish
will receive a very large colored vote
throughout the country in next November
Stand up, colored bOys, and battle for
your rights Yours truly.
i. @. DAWSON.
Health officer, Chicago. ILL.,