The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-04-09
Two COlOred Men.

In the Jacksonville Neacs Of the 2sth
we find a letter from w. +. Thompson,
an educated colored man of Tallahassee,
in which he discusses the policy of voters
of his race cooperating with the whites
in the election Of delegates to the Consti-
tutional Convention. We quote:
Editor F7or,da Netcs: notice that your pa
per very often speaks in liberal terms OF political
matters know the senior editor Of your paper
to be of the recognized leaders of his race, as
he deserves to be. Now | would like you to
give or suggest to our people some plan meth
Cd of better securing and retaining the support
of liberal white for the education of our race
and perpetuating our representation in the State
government Already the indications are that
"a strict partisan policy is not to be followed either
in our State or National governments In order
then to keep alive the good will and kindly feel
ing now cherished by many prominent white
men tor us, do you not think it would operate
well to advise our peOple-not as party, but as
people, now citizens of this State and Republic,
yet still for the most part without homes, cduca-
ton or property OF any knd--tO cooperate with
the whites regardless OF political persuasion in
nominating and eleciiug delegates to the State
Constitutional Convention
This Convention Is soon to assemble and
the subject of representation for us should now
be considered Let the coorcd and white men
belonging to the respective county political ex-
ecutive committees for the whole State carefully
consider this matter. This Convention is an as
sembage OF great importance to all the citizens
OF this State, and will perhaps determine the
future welfare of our who reside here. 1t
should, therefore, in my opinion, not be treated
as a party measure at all bu, be looked upon
from higher ami far different standpoint Why
sir, what is to become of Institutions of cduca-
ton for caring for the poor, etc, If not provided
for in our fundamental law? We want in this
Convention men OF broad and liberal views.
Let us hear from you in time. l. for one,
care not tor the amount OF money received by at
tending the Convention aforesaid. We should
live above such considerations, and should there
be any among us who are too selfish 10 do this,
then let us for once in the history of our man.
hood rs a people, rise above the influence Of
the grasping demagOgue and assert our ability to
select and maintain men who will protect and
defend our rights.
The correspondent speaks as a friend
of lis people, while the comments of the
editor to whom the letter is addressed are
those of a mere partisan. 1t is true he
every often speaks in liberal terms in
his theoretical politics, but when matters
in practical politics are at issue he stops
his pretty talk and toes the party line
He says "the Democrats are bound to
have good majority in the Convention
independent of the black belt counties"
and "while it might be good policy to
elect few fair minded democrats from
some of these counties the precedent
would not be fair unless some competent
republicans could likewise be elected from
democratic counties. " Thus he saddles with
an impossible condition what he comedies
would be "good policy" for his people,
showing that partisan considerations have
more weight with him than their welfare.
If it is good policy for them to elect fair
minded democrats how can it become bad
policy to do so for the absurd reason sug-
gested? This may be very deep politics
to some Of his readers, but to others it
sounds like very shallow gammon-too
thin to conceal purpose Of trifing with
the whites while holding his people on
the color line. The correspondent is a
safer counselor for them than the editor.