The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-04-16

The people are moving in the matter
of nominating delegates to the Constitu-
tional Convention The Democrats OF
quite number of the counties have taken
action, and the selections made are very sat
isfactory. They indicate for the body of the
Convention high average of intelligence,
probity and legislative experience. They
already include men of the best standing
for legal ability and business capacity,
and that most other counties will send
their peers, selected from the best men"
cannot be doubted. Who are the men that
Leon shall send to stand among their
brethren as their social and intellectual
equals? The mass meeting to nominate
them has not yet been called, but the
Republican" convention is announced
for day after tomorrow. When it acts
orr people will know who the majority
party proposes to send to the Constitu-
tional Convention to represent the fair
county of Leon in making organic law
for her benefit and for the benefit of the
whole State-all classes and races. If
the ticket is made up of persons not en-
tirely fit for the grave responsibilities de-
volving, and not at all representative of
the intelligence and property interests of
the Democratic community, it should not
receive the undivided support of its own
party and should not be elected. The
improperly Of such nominations would
force an emergency which would call for
a supreme effort of the white voters of
the county, and nominating the {" best
men they would ego in to win, and
might haze the aid of many Republicans
who could see in the contrast Of tickets
the one most deserving support. The
welfare of the negro is nextricably in
volved with that of the white man, and
it is as much to the interest Of one as the
other that the best men thould be dele
gated to care for the best interests of ALL
For more than eight years the State has
been under Democratic rule, and the ne
gro cannot deny that his rights of citizen
ship have been fully accorded, his edu-
cational privileges increased, his taxes
decreased, and that he has shared in the
general prosperity consequent on good
government to the extent that he chose
to avail himself Of the opportunities OF
>1ox off 1ol fr, n
alike. He cannot expect to ever rule
this country, and if he is wise he will cul
tivate the kind feeling of those who always
will rule it, 1t is easier for him to swim
with the current than to struggle against
it, for in the one way he will float safely
along and in the other he will wear him
self out and go 0a0er."
In this connection we republish the fol
lowing expression of the views Of Mr.. w
F. Thompson, a colored man of Tallahas
see:
Now ! would like you to give
or suggest 10 our people some plan or method
| of better securing and retaining the support o.
| liberal white men for the education of our race
and perpetuatlng our representation in The State
| government. Already the indications are tina
strict partisan policy is not to be followed eithe
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 for us, do you not think it would operate
we'll to advise our people-not as party. but a!
| people, now citizens of this State and Repub
lie, yet sill for the most part without homes
education or property of any kind-to co. ope
rate with the whites regardless OF political per
suasion in nominating and electing delegates &c
| the State Constitutional Convention