The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-03
DEMOCRACY AND COLoRED MEN.

In recent number of the New York Free
man, organ of the colored people, the editor
said: 'Let us be manly and consistent. We
have no right to expect benefits where we
have rendered no service. If we are anxious
to share the advantages of Democratic vic
tories we must help the Democrats to win
themn Commenting on this, the Louisville
Courier-Journal SAYS
''These are sensible words which the col
ored voters should study. They were taught
by the Republicans that if Democratic
President should be elected their rights would
be taken away from them and they them
selves put back into slavery. 1t is three
months now since the Inauguration OF Presl-
dent Cleveland. Not only are the negroes
protected in all the rights they had before the
election. but several Of them have been ap-
pointed by him to places of profit and honor
under the government"
The Freeman's words are sensible indeed.
The only hope colored men can have for recogni-
ton by Democratic administration is to pay
for it in advance The Courier-J Journal goes to
the trouble to repeat the silly lie that did
duty during the last campaign, we'll knowing
that Republicans made no such statement as
that the colored people would be
put back into slavery in event OF
Democratic success. That is one Of the Dem
ocratic idols that was pretty thoroughly de-
molished by Republicans in putting down the
Democratic rebellion. Since the day that
Sumter was fired upon the Republicans have
created prejudice against slavery that will
endure. The difference between the encour
agement afforded by the Democratic party and
that by the Republican lies in the chronology
ical arrangement. The latter came to the
negro's aid when he was fricndess, oppressed,
and without even the poor privilege OF
saving that the labor of his hands
was his own. He had no right to
wife and babes, either or all Of which could be
driven from him and sold like so many cattle.
To the negro i'll his cabin, smarting under
bruises Of whips and chains, the Republican
party came and lifted him to his feet. The
Republican party clothed him with personal
liberty, put his babes back into his arms and
his wife to his bosom. 1t then clothed him
with the rights of citizenship and suffrage,
and threw about him the protecting arm Of
the law. If this latter has failed in its pur
pose, it has been only in localities where
Democracy was supreme and law and justice
were made a mockery.
If the colored man wants favors at the hands
of the Democracy he must earn them; nor is
it at all certain that even then he will receive
his dues The honors awarded negroes under
this administration have been few. The
change in political control in II annapolis has
resulted in the discharge Of some half dozen
colored men, and to one or two others who
attempted to aid Democracy and did aid De-
mocracy as much as they possible could, sub
ordinate positions have been offered-places far
below their deserts. Democracy, as of old, yells
to the negro, "Go to work. The only way the
colored man can placate the Democratic party
is to serve it. Without that his native man
hood is as naught, his rights under the law
farce. The colored man owes nothing to the
Democratic party. 1t has been his enemy,
his prosecutor and oppressor for generations.
1t is to-day Colored men, who have no high
err ambition than to squeeze into mental posi-
tions under Democracy who cherish no man
ly resentment for the century of indignities
and humiliations heaped upon them
by the Democratic party, should take
the hint and bend their backs
in the service of the Democratic party. But
such an exhibition of servile bending, chat
thrift may follow fawning," is not calculated
to elevate any who may be guilty of it in the
eyes of the world. There is such thing rs a
decent and just resentment for shame and hui
initiation put upon one. Intelligent colored
men appreciate this as much as any one can,
nor will they be caught by the chaff of office
thrown to them as bone would be thrown to
a dno