The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-19
THE STATUS OFF THE NEGRO.

Fred Douglass Hints that Overriding Colored
Mems Rights May Prove Dangerous.
Washington Special.
There is much talk here, especially among the
colored people, about the speech of Frederick
Douglass, last night, at the emancipation cele-
bration.
Mr.. Douglass said that the Republican party,
having been driven from place and power in
humiliation, the colored race was, for
the first time since it had been raised
by the rule of party which had steadfastly
resisted every effort for its elevation. What did
it portendl Would it seriously affect the status
of the negro9 To the negro the change of ad-
ministration wore a sinister aspect In the ex-
ultation of the old master class in the triumph
of Democracy he read his doom. Thanks to the
reassUrances promptly given by the President
elect, this alarm had gradually given way to a
feeling of security. How long it would last de-
pended on the course of the administration
The Presidents inaugural utterance was all
that could be asked. 1t was frank and manly
avowal worthy OF the man and the occasion, of
the great fact of the actual citizenship Of the
negro. No better words have dropped from the
east portico OF the Capitol since the inaugural
addresses of Lincoln and Grant than fell from
the lips Of President Cleveland OIL the 4th Of
March last. Can he keep his pronlisesf 1t may
be that in q duty so plain. lie can control the
other branches of the government to an observ-
ancc of it.
The speaker had done all in his power to elect
James &. Blaine, bat he was disposed to trust
Cleveland. who, by word and OATH solemnly
taken before countless thousands had bound
himself to execute, in the fullness of the spirit
and the letter, the provisions OF the Constitu-
ton. We hold him TO it. The country viii hold
him to it.
The President could adopt policy of indif-
ference in regard to the negroes in the South, or
he might pursue temporzing onea policy Of
good Lord and good devil; or he might accept
the Mississippi aud South Carolina plan and
keep by fraud and blood 1913 electoral votes for
Democratic candidate in 1888: or he might
sustain course of absolute fidelity to the Con-
stitution as it stands protecting white man and
black man alike.
The latter Mr. Douglas said, he was encour-
aged to believe that the President had resolved
to do Let the Democratic party do justice to
the negro. and it will again see itself in power
four years hence. But if it fails into old ruts,
and forgets that slavery was an anachronism II
would be ANONYMOUSLY driven from power. I'M
less it applied corrective to the negro outrages
in the South, the Augusta speech of james @.
Blaine would be the key note cf the next cam
pagn In the last campaign the Republican
leaders forgot that they represented the party Of
moral ideas. They wanted a new issue, and
made one of pelf instead of honor.
They were for the protection Of wool, but not
negro wool. This Nation has made US citizens,
and promised to protect our rights. 1t has not
done so. 1t must do it, or reap the consequences.
Loyalty will perish when good faith is withheld.
Who could blame the negro IT., when
driven from tho ballot box and the
jury-box, and off of railroad trains. he should
resort to some terrible explosive forces IL
would bo folly; but oppression makes wise men
mad In conclusion. he said that the decision OF
the Supreme Court on the civisr:Shts piii vas =
clap OF thunder from = ALTAR sky--a ploW ueais