The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-05-10
The Negroes or the North.


The general good sense displayed
by the colored citizens who met last
week at Pittsburgh was particularly
conspicuous in the refusal of the con-
ference to make itself over to the Re-
publican party. The negroes Of the
North are beginning to see clearly
and to say boldly that the alleged
debt Of gratitude due by their race to
the Republican party does not amount
to political vassalagc forever.
Evry such declaration of indepcn-
dent manhood is a good sign, for it
marks the progress of our colored fel-
low citizens toward correct under
standing Of American principles.
There are forms of slavery besides
that from which the negroes were
emancipated twenty-one years ago.
There are shackles not of iron, and
whip lashes OF other than the planta-
ton type.
Let us look at a few Of the North
ern States which, together, are indis-
pensable to the success of the Repub-
lican party in Presidential election,
In Connecticut there we're, four years
ago, 1888 colored males of the voting
age. 1t is within bounds to put the
present colored vote of Connecticut
at $500. Gen. Garfield carried Con
necticut by only 1856 votes.
Indiana is very close State. BY
the last census the number of negroes
there over twenty-one years of age
was 10,739 The transfer of this politi-
cal strength from one side to the other
means a change of 81 900 votes in the
result. Garfield carried indiana by
only 6,642.
Illinois has been steadily Repuhli
can. The negroes of voting age in
that State numbered 1856. Garfeld'i
majority was 1852. Had 1000 col
ored citizens of Illinois Transferred
their allegiance to the" Democratic
party, Illinois would have been los
to the Republicans.
The great State of Pennsylvani;
contained 1882 negroes with votes
Garfield's majority was 1926. 1t wa
in the power of less than one-third o
the Republican negroes of Pennsylva
mia to give that State to Hancock b,
united action against the party which
loves them only just before election
day.
, Gen. Garfield's own State (Ohio
gave him a majority of but 25,15j
The census assigns q, ,706 possible col
ored votes to Ohio. Less than 1900
OF these votes would have given tn
, State to the Democrats.
t New York had in 1880 o colore,
: population including 90,59 males G
/ of the age for citizenship. Garfield
r majority WAS 5,S65.
!, We commend these signifcan
!, figures to our colored friends for care
, full consideration. Here are 81
}, Northern States, with 1872 electors
!, votes out OF the total of 401 in tn
: College, all carried four years ago fo
0 the Republican candidate solely b
\ the negro vote. The time has com
/ around again when the party whic
6 assumes to own the negro and hi
i. ballot rewards him for the past an
entreats him for the future with sue
l. empty expressions of solicitude fC
h his welfare as are to be found in tn
/, platforms OF the conventions. Wins
" other recognition has he obtained a
e ter twenty-one years OF moral an
e political servitude? Appointment hel
It and there as the alternate to SON
l. white delegate to Chicago, and in Ne
l. Jersey the doubtful honor of bein
r considered little more respectful
II than Secor Robeson.-N. Y. Sun.