San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1884-09-04
An Intelligent Negro Tells Why be IL
Opposed 10 Blaine. and VIII Tote
for Cleveland.

Opposed 10 Blaine. and WIN Vote
Tor Cleveland.
New foIk Tines,
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Aug. 7,-William
Still, one Of the wealthiest and best
known colored men Of this city, q CO
worker with Garrison, Phillips and
Lucretia Mott in the anti-slayery
cause, and the author OF tho book.
THE Underground Railroad" has
announced himself for Cleveland and
Hendricks. Mr.. Still is an extensive
retail coal dealer, aud lives in good
style at No. 244 South Twelfth street,
where he was seen by n representa-
tive OF the Post the new Democratic
paper in this city, and was asked II it
was true that he intended TO vote for
Cleveland and Hendricks. .'Such is
my determination" he replied. sand
why shouldn't II An honest Nation
al Administration is what every citi-
zen should want TO see, and l recog-
nize the fact that the time has come
for change. 1t doesn't do for one
party to remain in power too long,
and there could not be better time
to make the change than now. The
Democratic party have presented AN
exceptionally good ticket to tho PEG.
pie, and, as between Cleveland and
Blaine, 1 don't think we should hest
tate as to which we should give our
support to-" -,
"You don't share, then, with your
race their general distrust OF the
Democratic partyF -,
"Not the least. Why. it's all
foolishness to suppose that the Demo.
Gratis would antagonize the colored
people. Revolutions never go back
ward, and parties out of power never
degenerate-they grow. And, be-
sides, the Democratic party OF to-day
is not what it was twenty years ago,
nor is the Republican party the same
either. One represents progression,
the other corruption. But the cor
ruption of the Republican party is
the natural consequence of a long
lease of power, and this is why we
should have a change"
You are satisfied, then, that the
Democrats would introduce measures
of reform if they were to come into
power
Most assnredly. They have pledged
ged themselves to that work, and If
they are victorious this time they
will have been successful simply by
the pledge they have made to the
people, and they will fully understand
that their lease of power will only
last as long as they are faithful to
their pledges
"Have you read the platoon as set
forth at Chicago by the Democratic
party?"
Eyes, have read it carefully, and
must say that it is built with some
very strong planks Nothing could
be stronger than the plank pledging
the party to the task Of purifying the
Administration from corruption, to
restore economy, to restore respect
for law, and to reduce taxation to the
lowest limit consistent with due
regard to the preservation of the faith
of the nation to it's creditors and
pensioners. I think that's the way
it reads. The tariff plank is broad
and full, and shows that the conven-
ton at Chicago was controlled by the
best elements of the party. 1 WAS, of
course, particularly pleased with the
plank pledging protection to my
people. 1 believe I can repeat it
word for word Let's see: assert
ing the equality of all men before the
law, we hold that it is the duty of
the Government, in it's dealings
with the people, to mete out equal
and exact justice to all citizens, of
whatever nativity, race, color OF
persuasion Of religion or politics.
They have pledged themselves to
free ballot and fair count.
'In supporting Cleveland will you
not be charged with ingratitude to
the Republican party?"
"Ingratitude, bah! We owe no
debt of gratitude to the Republicans
at this day and time. Men who are
plunderers, political freebooters, as it
were, have attached themselves to the
party for gain, and they say that the
colored man should support them
because they are Republicans.
Where are the old abolitionists who
are living to be found to-day? Either
with the Independents or the Demo-
cratic party. A good name has been
stolen by a lot of bad men, and they
expect us to ever do homage to the
name. We have danced to false
notes long enough"
"Will there be many of your people
to support the Democratic ticket?"
I'm this State, do you meant"
"Well, yes, say this State?"
"The spirit of independence among
the colored people has been growing
for some time. 1t was started here
in Philadelphia more than four years
ago, and it has spread all over the
State but whether a large number
will stand out this campaign, I am
not able to say. That some will vote
for Cleveland and Hendricks I am
but how many / don't know.
That will all depend, in great mea-
sure, upon the efforts which may be
put forth by the Democrats to gain
colored recruits to their ranks. /