Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-10-04
AN ADDRESS
To The ColOred Voters of Ohio.

The mass convention of colored men of
Ohio, which assembled in the City hall at
Columbus, on Thursday, September 20.
1883, provided, among other things, for
an address to be issued TO the coIored vo-
ters of Ohio. The committee selected for
its preparation beg leave to submit the
following:
The colored men of Ohio occupy a pc
culiar position, in that We are bound by
all sense of honor and justice to be true
to ourselves and those friends whose eff
forts have been put forth in the interest
of our race Hence it is absolutely neceS-
sary that our declaration Of principles
should be above criticism from our enc
mics.
Believing in the principles Of the Re
publican party. and that nothing is to be
gained by an alliance with the Democrat
ic party, We deem it for the best interest
of all concerned, to investigate with great
care, all of the questions involving the
security of our rights as citizens, before
taking any steps looking to a dissolution
Of the ties which unite us with that party
whose efforts have resulted in placing us
in the position we now occupy, viz: Max
ing us citizens of common country and
placing within our reach all of the advan-
tageS enjoyed by any other class of citi
Zens.
Our suffrages are due the Republican
party by reason Of the record of its splen-
did achievements in behalf Of human lib
erty, and we know and feel that we would
be false to very large majority OF the
colored voters In Ohio were to We recon-
mend anything less than fealty to the par
-ty that was their bulvark when the storm
of political prejudice was raging in this
country. And therefore, to be true to
ourselves and the principles of right in
herent in us, we must prove by our con-
duct our loyalty to this party Of progress
and equal rights.
The fall election is now at hand, which
must decide into whose hands will be
committed for the next two Years the at
fairs of the great State Of Ohio. And the
Democracy, with specious pleading, is set
ting forth its claims to the suffrageS of
the colored men in Ohio. All fair repre-
Sentations are entitled to fair considera-
ton, coming from whatever source they
may. But the maxim that There is no
way of Judging the future but by the
the House of Burgesses by Patrick Hen
ry. The records of both the Republican
and Democratic parties are before you.
Judge We!
In Ohio to-day there are quite number
of colored men who are posing as 'inde-
pendents" Their pleas for consideration
is that colored men are not being treated
fairly by the Republicans. and they bring
to bear upon the doubtful colored man
the stereotyped question of the hungry
Democratic seeker after Office, to-wit:
What has the Republican party done for
you?" To all such let your answer be
prompt by asking the contrary question,
what has it not done for US ?"
Some of these colored men are misled,
but the greater number are designing, and
they are seeking to barter away the rights
of yourselves and children for mess of
political pottage. Trust them not, trust
them not Bewarew
Finally, colered men of Ohio, see to it
that none but men who have the interest
of the race at heart be on your guard.
Contend in a manly way in your locali-
ties for whatever of political recognition
may Of right belong to you. But we be-
seech you do not charge upon the Repub-
lican party the shortcomings of narrow
minded party leaders. On the other hand.
contend for your day in court, and our
word for it, the Republican party, which
has never faltered in its mission of ameli-
Grating our condition, will see to it that
you are heard and that Justice is rendersa'
according to your needs. "Be just and fear
not" j. S. TYLER, Columbus;
w. S. THOMAS, Delaware;
JOHN BUNCH, London;
HARRY RICHARDSON, Toledo;
w. II. COLEMAN, Steubenville;
Committee.