National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-03-20
The Republican Party and the Negro


Race.
The Democratic organ of this city, the
Post, declares that certain colored citi-
Eens are negotiating with "many cham
pions" on the Democratic side of the
House Of Representatives, and that they
propose through this new-found and
hitherto abused ally to carry the war into
the Republican camp and force a surren-
der on the subject of mixed schools in
this District 1t is safe to assume from
The interest manifested by the
Post in this matter that its edi-
tor is an advocate for a brief season
of the mixture of the white and black
children in the public schools. The
question arose in the House of Repre-
sentatives some time since, when mo-
ton was made to amend the bill for
District code by striking out the words
which provide separate schools for the
two races. The Republicans voted to
strike out the whole chapter concerning
schools, and thus avoided a square vote
on the main question. The Post, which
appears to be the organ of those negroes
"hN1 ~ SNl SiiO a NOullJlOll
with the Democratic members or "cham-
pions" aforesaid, says that its coored
friends are forming" in this city, and
have "agencies" at work in other places
which may have q great effect upon col
ored voters in the next congressional
campaign.
From all of which it would appear that
l,n hng tln g
colored men who feel that they can best
serve their race by making raid upon
the Republican party in Congress through
a conspiracy with Democratic members,
and that they can best serve their coun-
try by more extensive war upon the
Republican party at large by creating
and organizing discomfort among the
colored voters.
The Post gives the names Of well-known
colored leaders who it says are engineer
ing the movement. Most of those it
names are known to us personally, and
we can say from our knowledge of them
that they are not engaged in any, ,,..ton,, -,
to weaken the eSWgf ;SVssff 81 9: the Republican
party, even if in their opinion the party
falls short of its duty in the one matter
above alluded to.
That there are professional negroes
who for individual advancement would
betray their race, and ours too, no one
need doubt. All races and classes are
afflicted in like manner But until the
negro-hating Democratic party shall eX-
hibit more tenderness for the rights of
the negro than it has yet done, the faith
full men named by the Pos, will not be
found conspiring with it for the over
throw of the Republican party, weak in
the back as that party sometimes shows
itself to be.
The Post also had an advance proof of
an editorial in the Sunday Item, a paper
published in this city by colored men. 1t
is headed, "Why Should We Adhere to
the Republican Party ?" and abounds in
alternate threats and complaints. How
much of the colored element the Item rep
resents doesnot appear, although the Post
embraces it fraternally as "colored
organ" The writer alleges dissatisfac-
tion among the masses of the Colored
people, which was the first news we have
had of any such thing. He says the col
ored elements "must have reasons for re-
manning attached to any party" and
complains that "in the distribution of
patronage we are treated as though we
were aliens to our party" He proceeds
thus:
What has been dolcd out to the colored people
OF Louisiana is through the exertons OF one Sem
aior, aud because Its cOlored people have had ag-
gressiye leaders, and only exhibits what may be
done; IL shows that where there Is will there Is
way Are there no intelligent colored men IN
other States? How is 1t that all colored men are
passed by In the North2 Is this not drawing the
eolor-llne by the party in that section? This mat
ter is being regarded with some considerable con
eern. Fortunately the day is near at hand whel
the colored man feel that he Is free TO form new
political alliances If old ones shall not merit his
support II may as well be known that zee are be-
ing dpprOdched ana that Is not demanded Qf US L
abate in the least our Republican demand fol
equality before the law, for protection In our civ
rights, Is it just and polite for the Republican
party 10 treat the cOlOred man with the indifference
II is manifesting2 Let the toosn be rung generally
that we are not cared for and there will be such
CONSERVATION In the camp as win paralyze the
efforts Of any few who might be induced to Quie
the same.
The writer Of the article is evidently
an ardent and enthusiastic defender oi
the equality Of his race in the right tc
office. If it be true as he states, that the
colored people "are being approached n
by enemies Of the Republican party with
assurances that they may become Demo-
Gratis without in the least abating THEN
Republican demand for equality before
the law" &C., they win be very silly
geese to believe that their "Republicar
demand would have any weight with
the controlling spirits Of the Democratic
party after they had acquired power
But let all who choose try the expert
ment.
The Republican party has not beer