The daily gazette., 1882-06-07
wn.snNGrON WEDNESDAY,. JUNE !
A Colored Ballin.

To the surprise of all, except few who
were let into the secret, the City Council last
night elected William H. Clayton, colored
man, to the position of Bailiff. This action
came almost like a shock upon the large
audience assembled in the Council chamber,
as it was generally understood that William
Hickey, q white applicant, was to be
awarded this official crumb, and William
was lowering around the vicinity, smllingly
within the railing and installed in ex-Bailiff
Daley's seat
There is no doubt the profound secresy
maintained by the Republican members of
Council in regard to the caucus selection for
Bailiff was due to fear of terrible public
pressure for change should it be known
in advance that a negro was to be given this
position. Not only was the selection kept
quiet, but with cruelty almost fendish the
impression was circulated that William
Hickey, a worthy white man, was to be
made Bailiff, and the unfortunate Hickey
not only received the congratulations of his
friends but visited the Council chamber last
night in the full expectation of receiving the
coveted appointment.
Like Caesar of old the Republican party of
Wilmington paused long upon the banks
Of the Rubicon," but now the fatal plunge
has been made and the party is fully COM
mitted to the policy of recognizing the
claims Of negro voters In the dispensatlon of
official fayors. The negroes will no longer
be content to remain the humble "hewers
"of wood and drawers of water" for the
white voters, and as they number nearly
one-half of the party strength in this
city will demand their proportionate
share of public positions. The appointment
of William H. Clayton to the position of
Bailiff means the appointment of negro
policemen, and the continued success of the
Republican party will be followed by the
appointment of negroes to all the official
positions in city, county and State to which
they aspire. The action of the Republican
City Council breaks down the last
barrier between the races, and unless
the white people of Delaware come
to the rescue they may expect to see the full
reign of negro equality they have dreaded
and fought against for years. In another
year negro children will be knocking for
admission at the doors of the public schools
and Republican ascendency in this Stat
will guarantee every demand on their be
half.
1t is time for the white voters of Delawar
to look this question squarely in the face
We do not desire to make a demagogical or
for ''white mans party" but simply t
appeal to the reason and intelligence of thos
who believe that the white citizens of thi
State can best preserve her institutions an
enforce her laws. Republican supremac
and negro domination are identical and on
cannot prevail without the other followin
as a natural sequence. The mask has
last been thrown off and the Republca
party announces that it is prepared I
give the negro full political recognitic
for his votes and party services. The isst
cannot be evaded, and every man who low
this little State and does not want to see h
institutions degraded and her administr
ton disgraced by negro rule must cor
squarely up to the Democratic party in t
present campaign. Negro equality is
longer bugbaboo, but stern and nak
fact, and only a Republican success
November is needed to extend the debasiI
work begun last night In Wilmington ov
the entire State.