Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-10-12
TIE pEmANps OF THE NEGRO.

An Eastern exchange remarks that the
speech of Douglass at the Louisville Con-
vention was not go much an arraignment of
parties as Of the white people of the ma
tion. Douglass made his CON pla Mt in a
very manly way, and no one can take Of
tense at the spirit he manifested, notwith.
standing the bitterness with which he
spoke, and the evident criticism, between
the lines, of the Republican party. BE
saw, what is unquestionably a fact, that
the prejudice of race does not disappear as
he and his would like to see it. But let
US suppose that prejudice such as he re-
grets still exists with all the intensity of
which he complains, does it follow
that it is in the power of the nation,
or would it be polite for the nation to at
tempt to remove it by any further legis-
lation We think not. Legislation, gov.
ernmental forms and systems, are the re-
suits of civilization and not the causes of
beliefs, prejudices or sympathies in soci.
ETY.. We must assume that legislation is
what Mr.. Douglass refers to as a remedy,
since he distinctly gave his hearers to I'M.
derstand that parties must, to receive the
support of the colored voters, recognize and
declare for the reforms in society which the
colored men especially desire. The only
method known to party to make it's voice
of effect is by exerting the influence it can
command in the counsels and legislatures
OF the country. The Republican party at
a most critical period declared for manhood
suffrage, and by its firmness secured to the
negro the right to a voice in the
councils of the nation. The Democratic
party at that time, without any hesitation
whatever, pronounced against the negro as
voter, and denied his right to be repre-
sented. The Democratic party was true
to its history in doing SO; and yet there are
some colored men who imagine at this day
that that party is somehow q house of
refuge for them from the very storms they
invited by asking for the right of suffrage.
The nation went just as far as it could go,
in the light it had, in securing to the
negro all the privileges flowing from his
new position, or properly belonging to it.
What would Mr.. Douglass have done now
Would it please him to have some political
party declare that the prejudice against
his race is irrational? Would that help the
situation particle? We think not. The
negro race in America will attain higher
position by the action of no party. If it
fills the place it believes and declares It is
capable Of filling it must be because of its
own exertions. Prejudices are not legis.
lated out of 8 people, and platforms cannot
be made successful instruments for the
elevation of the negro race. If the negro
voters pin their faith to them, they will be
deceived as have all others who had not
the power to compel the respect of par.
ties. Let Mr.. Douglass and his people
look about them and see which of the
great political parties represent those eIe-
ments most likely to aid in the advance
ment of races of men, and let them ally
Themselves with that party. To attempt
to exact pledges from the Republi-
cans, or win promises f.cm the
Democratic party by holding over
either the menace of the consolidated vote
of the negro citizens, is folly. All the
pledges and promises secured in that man
ner will be found to be hollow and vaIue.
less. Whst the Republican party did for
the cOlored man it did from principle;
wha. the Democratic party did against
him it did from enmity to the prstensions