The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-09-14

Mr.. EaitOr: AS It may he interesting to the
readers of your valuable paper, and to the pub
lie generally viii relate two or three incidents
that have come under my observation, illustra-
live OF the determined efforts made by the lead
ers Of the Republican party to keep up the color
line In politics. and for self and partisan success
TO array the blacks against the whites.
An elderly colored friend had on more than
one occasion, and voluntarily, told me that he
had stuck TO the Republican party long enough,
and had concluded, after mature reflection, that
II would be to his interest and that Of his race,
10 vote with his Democratic friends. agreed
with him and told him our party would be glad
To have bis vote and bis influence. few days
ago, however he came TO me, and in an earnest,
sOlicitSus manner, begged me to excuse him nom
voting with me, as he had promised, a. his col
Ored friends and acquaintances had found il out
and told him they would not forgive him for do
ing Sd; that they would refuse 10 recognize him
as friend or equal, and would neither visit him
nor welcome him TO their houses. His wife also
told him that she would not speak to him again
IL he xoted with the white folks In reply /
told him our party did not desire the vote Of any
man who was not entirely willing, and was not
satisfied that he was doing the best thing for
himself, his race. and his country. That he was
old enough to decide who were his best friends,
and If he thought he could 6nd them in the Re
publican party, he should vote with and stick to
them. and to go to them for held in time Of need
and trouble. The old man went away sorrOwful
for be well knew he Was turning his back on his
best friend.
Another case is that Of q young man, whose
brother afler long enireaties persuaded him to
accompany him to . The Club with the prom
se that he need not join II he did not 90 desire,
and that he might be interested in the proceed
ingR Amer they had arrived ct. and entered the
Club House all present who were not members
were invited TO cOme up and sign the constitu-
ton. Several did 50. but this young man having
made no indication to join was called on by
name u come up and sign. This he declined
doing, stating that he did not feel 90 disposed
EntreAties and threats were both tried without
success. when the young man was rudsly ordered
to leave the house, and the mayshal Instructed 70
put him out And now began bis trials His
neighboD, friends and relations al tell him mot
10 look TO them Cor any friendly help His
brother tells him thai the Club has spot ted him,
aud when the day of election comes they have
resolved TO seize him a be approaches the polls,
and murder him then and there. That IL the
face Of 50 large crowd he would be powerless
TO aid him. and bees him a. be values his own
life to rcnounce his resolution Of voting the Dem
Ocralic ticket. am glad 70 cay that all these
ta0rts ., Intimidation failed.
have living near me cnlorcd friend who
Two years ago was very III, almost unto death,
and or weeks lay 10 = suffering condition.
Through the mercy Of Providence and The little
aid his iticnds could render be was restored to
health. This man b now the cause Of much
anxiety and care to his cOlored bseaihren on &C.
count al hia Democratic proclvisiea. His preacher,
- . last resnrt. seni for him, and Hold him how
wrong Il was 10 50 against hls own party and that
God would never forgive him But lhis cslored
friend had moi furgotlen the days Of HE sickness
and told bin preacher and biz brsihrss that -
they had never fpund him out o. aided him when
sn1kFiag and Ia distress. he could not understand
why they wese 90 anxious ahopl him new
Every col0sed nan IN this neighborhood b
either OOmpslIed 70 join The Club : ~ b prose-
cused aud tosmeaasd almost bsyoad endurance
know o. Z Rnmher % imieIllesns, industrious
eolored men Who deSlse 70 vote The Democratic
ticket. and ere liFed a. he siri1s and ileellngs
de RepaAlican leadess are ooaelnnAIly sarivine
10 excite. bua lhy are afraid a. De pessecntiOns
and thrpats q her own colo. an particularly the
wumea. Th<ss men have sume OF the : Old
Adam II tAem. I'D bsllsss hat even he Gar
den a. Eien woala no b Z de1isahle country
uiahous ihe smilss q he daughters q Eve. and
who en- hlams theme
u considering these facis. end they are well
known 70 all. b hseOmes or dqty. and u b ny
pleasqrs. % treat aIl eolosed men Who h0prslly
and coasciensioaaly ~ viii ,Aelr while tisnds
Win "a kindsesA and txteR1 p thsm a. sAas =
ppmihlei and p sllghs IN ihse wka sligbt lksm,
% Or ~ . conalsssaa viii lhs dntim pt d good
ci.iRrn sHdn ChEhsiaR LNa - ~ lock ipiD the
past end REL r ws hsvs nlwaya acsed viii e
much kiadaens as1 eon6dssasisa loHapds sncA
~ or kiepds :. ws mlg1s Nave aone. and pront
hy ihe Iesnps leArsed shssellpl
CoHUavAEvR