Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-25
COLOR IN POLITICS.
The New Position 20 be Assumed By she
CoIOred Voter.

To The Editor.
The colored voters of this State are be-
ginning to see the position they occupy pc.
litically, and with reference especially to
the Republican party. Some recognition
of their race by the party which they have
50 faithfully supported since the elective
franchise: was gwen them, is demanded.
II seems to us, il is with q great deal Of
reason and justice too.
For some years past in different sections
OF the country, this question has been the
subject of discussion. In those localities
where the race has insisted on its own
proper share Of patronage from the party
II SUPPORTS, the result has been 10 secure
for the colored man partial recognition OF
his right under the rule which obtains in
politics, that to the victors belong the
spoils. Only. however, where the colored
PEOPLE have demanded their rights have
they obtained them.
This feeling has at last touched the PEG.
pie here, and within few weeks past the
popular discomfort has found expression
published in the oity, and ably edited by
an intelligent Colored man.
In the August number the editor OF that
paper clearly and forcibly set forth the
claims of his race, and with an acuteness
creditable TO any man, remarked: Using
the negro to mount the political throne will
no longer be theme in West Virginia"
This declaration alarmed the editor OF
the htciigenccr, and his next issue contain
ed long article upon "The Colored People
and Politics" In this article the editor
notices what he is pleased to call the lin
patience" of the 7imcs over the fact that
greater degree of political consideration Is
not given the colored race. And is usual
with the embryo minister to China, he
took hold of the wrong cue.
The arguments advanced by him were
specious. They were specifically fair, rea-
sonable and just. They would not aud do
not bear analysis. The editor Of the Times
in his next issue showed by the tenor OF
the remarks published in your columns
Saturday last that he and his PEG.
pie understood thoroughly all the
force OF the mtclligencefs' editorial
We warn the leaders again, says the edi-
tor OF the Times. that they must see that
the principles Of the party are strictly en-.
forced, and that all citizens are secured In
the enjoyment of life, liberty and the full
play OF all political privileges.
Mr.. Campbell pleads in justi fcation OF
Republican treatment OF the colored peo-
pie, that as a race they are too ignorant as
yet for the party to think OF sharing with
them the spoils of political victory. The
u
fore by general consent II will be recOg-
nized as a race fit TO furnish very many
office holders. He speaks as Republican,
and by general consent presumably means
the general consent OF the mani pulators OF
the republican party. The course of the
Republican leaders in this district certainly
warrants this conclusion. What colored
man have they ever put in office? And
will they say there is no Office within their
power TO give that q colored man can
acceptably fill Will they say
abouts are 30 grossly illiterste that
none among them would make a letter
carrier? Are they so stupid that none
among them could be found with Sufficient
intelligence TO serve as Q janitor OF the
Custom House? Are there none among
item smart enough to fill the Office OF
Deputy Marshal? Chairman Atkinson
would recoil In horror from the thought Of
a colOred deputy. And yet he will sit down
in his office, and in his political calcula.
lions write, -Four Hundred Niggers Solid
for Gof," with the coolest audacity.
The facts here stand out In bold relief.
The Republican party has fifteen or twenty
Offices in this immediate locality at its dis
posal. And never yet has a colored man
been given the slightest political prefer
enCe.
How long will the colored people submit
to this humiliation? How long will they
continue to help the Republican party to
power? How long will they permit the
Republican party managers TO insult their
intelligence by making them their tools?
Surely, II the colored map is the equal OF the
white man he should not be Disseminated
sgainst by the very party that is indebted
to him for loyalty and support for the last
twenty years. IL, moreover, he is compe.
tent TO vote, and exercise the right OF
suffrage in favor OF the Republican candi.
date, il he not capable OF serving in some
capacity under the administration OF the
party he helped to place In power2 Is he
fit for nothing but TO vote? And to vote I'm
favor OF the Republican party?
But the day may come. IL will,-nay-it
has come, when in the language OF the
Times, though the colored man Is Repub-
licsn from conviction. as we'll ~ gratitude.
he Is not prepared TO support the party NJ
the sacrifice Of his manhood.
The truth Is, there are many Intelligent
colored voters in this vicinity. There are
many positions they might hold. And
yet the party has mons for them. The col.
ored man is a cipher in Republican poll
tics except on the day of election. And
then he counts. And Republican manag
ers see that he is there, greet him a. BROTH
er. get his vote-Snd the next day forget
him.