Huntsville gazette., 1883-10-27
SATURDAY, OCT, 9th, 1883
DOUGLASS SPEECH CRLT1-
CISED.
The Conventions Shortcomings. No
Remedy for Evils Pointed Out. Does
the Negro Owe Debt of Gratitude to
the Republican Party?
MOBILE, ALA, Oct. 8.

the RcpuDllcan fafty
MOBILE ALA, Oct. 8.
The National Convention of cosred mel
has met, adjourned, and set forth to the
country an excellent address. The yenera
BILE Fred Douglass, has made grea
speech After all, Task what line OF polio.
has been adopted for the future course o
the Negro. Apparently the call of the Con
vention indicated that all political ques-
tions were foreign to the purposes fol
which it was called. Such was virtually
admitted by Mr.. Douglass, although in an
interview he admitted that possibly ques.
tions of political nature would come up
in discussion.
Such questions did arise and with it an
arrafgnment of the Republican party
Which brings to my mind these inquiries.
1st-What has been accomplished? 2-Are
We not already fully apprised of all the
facts set forth by the address. 3-From a
general review of the speech of the great
leader, admitting the force of his state-
ments in reference to great many partic-
the Republican party? Does it not appear
that the Negro owes no further allegiance
to the party and in effect advised him to
separate politically? As it true as alleg
ed by Mr.. Douglass that the Negro does not
owe the Republican party gratitude be-
cause of their becoming free from Militia
ry necessity? 1t seems to me in keeping
with the first idea that we are advised to
separate. However just may be our COM
plant the learned Conventionists have
failed to suggest any definite plan whereby
we can act. except in general way, and
that is every voter can prospect according
to his own Idea. regard such course as
being bad. and think this idea will express
il: You can set logs to drift, but unless
you have man at the head of the raft to
stem the current they will break and scat
ter. So it is with the mass of our people.
The speech of Mr.. Douglass has no doubt
set them to thinking, but in what direction
Towards the ba lance of power in elec-
tions? If SO how are we to begin. To fuse
with the Democrats. If so, will they as a
general thing tie to us. Of course here
and there locally we may find communities
liberal enough. More especially where the
appetite for local offices is hard to appease,
we may get in Negro or two. But upon
great questions OF National importance, the
due administration of law, civil rights, pro
lection of the ballot box, &c. How stands
the matter
1t might be answered that the Republi'
can party is bshind on those measures as
we'll. But tn hse the words of Mr.. Doug
lass would it DOT be better to trust the Dew
il we know t4an the Devil we don't know
The Democrats have never invited US. AS
l said beforelsome are more liberal than
others ahd no doubt would accept our vol
tntary offer. For instance, we will OBJ.
serve the NSw Orleans Picayune's notice
Of the C9nytntion, which contained the
allowing f3ttering editorial entitled "Sen.
Sble Coiorsd Men, The refusal of the
yational. Cd Invention of Colored men now
il session It Louisville to endorse the ad-
nainistraHoh Of President Arthur or to
Homise support to the Republican party is
itdicativeb bf practical good sense. Il is
meteorological the opposition came from
tHe SouthI I&c. The members of the Con-
veltion 81 the advantage in sticking to
thS peoplk among whom they live. &C.
On the bther hand the Mobile Daily Reg
istA saysiwe Negroes ask too much and
denk les th Statement the Convention makes
that Neg Foes are unjustly treated And
spe,skinaI in reference to that part of Mr.
Dousasf speech touching Civil Rights, it
says if VI bu are asking for social equality.
you ers grasping at shadow. Also that
the dis hction made in the army is right
So you Will see that even with our volunta-
~ oferAo cut loose from the party we are
met with resistance. What political ap-
pearan{e does the matter present. so lar as
the Southern Negro is concerned We
noticed that the opposition to the party
came tom the South. Now if the desire
on thIpart Of our brothers in the North is
to col inue their support to the Republi-
can p4rty it is immaterial how we in the
South vote, for it is conceded fact that
our Votes 60 for naught. We put them in
the bbx but they are return ed against us, I
agreeJ that it was once within the power of
q Republican Congress to protect the bal
lot ind we did have Shlwart Republicans
In C3neysss who lsbored to the best Of their