The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1882-05-13
INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA.

landed a few pilgrims. The same year few OF
the dusky-hued brethren were landed on the
same shores.
Here two elements arose, two questions we're
to be settled. Two brethren stood on the
shores of the New World, one white, the other
colored; one ignorant, the other partially In
telligent. The questions to be settled were
should the stronger help the we aker, or should
he oppose. The latter prevailed. The colored
man was made a servant for the white man,
and for over two hundred and fifty years he
was regarded, not as a citizen, not rs man
among men, but as goods and chattels. During
this period of oppression few men clung to
what was right; they stood by honor and be-
lieved that all men should, as far as liberties
were concerned, have an equal footing, and re-
solved that this curse should no longer stain
the character of an intelligent people. So 1t
was wiped out. Now the question arises "Who
did it?" To whom Is the honor due? What
party stood by US In our infancy, and to what
party do we owe gratitude In our manhood?
Let us see: let that people or party be whs
they may. 1t was somebody who bound us in
chains. Somebody made Us serfs. Somebody
felt 1t their duty to break the fetters to give US
our liberties due us. They did their duty; we
thank them. We merit all that has been done
in this direction We regard 1t as an act Of
sympathy. In return we have appreciated 1t
by what we have done. Do we still owe more?
What else is required of us? What next9
Let us see: who are we? What are we? We
are free. We are at liberty to think for our
selves, act for ourselves providing our acting
be correct. Though we are q race in our in
fancy of less than twenty years independence,
still in spite of opposition, We, as a race, have
placed our rapid progress on the annals of our
nations history second best to none. When
war made its footprints on the threshold of our
government, our brethren were called, and re-
sponded. In every contest they fought with
Iunfiinching gallantry. In every opposition, in
every conflict we have ever been willing TO
lend helping hand and stand by the party
which stood by us. We have ever been true to
| our trust and to our country. Now, let US see.
What next?
Conflicts are over; difficulties are settled, and
| the next questions are, How are the political
| spoils to be divided? How are colored voters
| to cast their votes? Who shall they vote for,
and what party shall they supportf There are
two parties struggling for power;:the. party In
power trying to hold it; the party In pursuit
| trying to regain 1t. Party in power boasting
Il
Party in pursuit promising what they will do
| for the colored man If he will assist them In
| being restored.
| 1 believe L am safe in saying that the ma
jority of our colored voters are becoming toe
ell-posted to be waited from one party to the
other by bribery or promises, but will cast
their votes with the right party from true prin'
ciples and not consider they owe 1t as back
pay on any old scores. And, when in future
some unsuccessful Republican candidate fails
to receive tn. required number of votes to
place him in office, that colored men have
principles as well as white men, and have no
better skill in placing two ballots in the box
| than any one else. And, furthermore, wher
colored men come out demanding q share Of
the public proceeds, no one should think for
| moment that colored men merit nothing, bu
have received every political privilege dut
them. Yours,
c. N. BRAGG.