Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-09-04
Independent Colored Republicans.

A meeting of young colOred men OF
Staunten, was held on the oath ult., ITO
discuss the relation of colored men to the
two great political parties conJending for
supremacy in the State" 1t was presided
over by Mr.. Scott Wood, with Mr.. 5. L.
Morris as Secretary. After conference
and discussion,i it was resolved to organize
the sIndependent Republican Club of
Staunton." and the following officers OF
the club were elected for the ensuing
quarter-.President, L. W. Moore; Vice
President, D. q. Carter; Secretary, f. IL.
billiard; Assistant Secretary, j. IL. b.
Carter, and Sergeant-at-Arms, Harry
Lindsay. The following resolutions pre-
pared by committee composed Of Messrs.
j. FL. Carter, Fred. FL. billiard and W. ii.
Carter, were adopted
Whereas, the Republican Party las for
number of years shown such total disregard
for the welfare of the Negro in the Southern
states, and has allowed its hirelings and Fede-
raj Office holders-many of whom have grown
rich by basely disappearing affairs III the
South, to bring about this hostility of feeling.
We know of and have felt the iron heel OF OPP
preston, but we have always believed 1t was
largely due to our SO called Republican friends
who have been, for the past twenty five years,
carried by Negro votes into power and place.
They have stirred up bad blood between the
races much to our detriment as Negro es.
We believe that it is to our interest polltl-
cally, materially and in every other way to
call halt in the unqualified support that we
have given to the Republican party.
We are not yet willing to go into the DEM
ocratic party, and never will be till Bourbon
ism becomes broad enough, liberal enough
and democratic enough in sentiment to eliml
nate the race question from political cam
paigns. When that is done, and disposition
on their part shown to us that they mean equal
rights, fair play and true justice to all men
alike, regardless of the color of their skins,
then the black laborer will join hands and
vote to drive out every discordant element IN
our section of the country, and bring about
universal good feelings, which should exist
between the two races.
Reso50ed, therefore. That in view of the
above facts. we, the colored men of Stanton,
Va, do here in mass meeting assembled Or
ganize ourselves into an INDEPENDENT REPUB-
LIcAN CLUB.
Res6goed That we are now, and ever will be
in the future, actuated only by the highest and
purest motives; that we will work for the best
interest of our race, politically, and in other
ways that will tend to their advancement.
Resoloed, That we knuckle to no party nor
bend the knee..to any political bosses when
they seek to drive us into the support of men
and measures which are totally repugnant to-
all sense of honor and decency.
Resoloed, That we pledge support to no party,
but will weigh all men and platforms upon
their merits, and will support them accord
ingly. And we will also advise the voters of
our race at any and all times what we consider
to be for their best interest.
Resoloed That we condemn in the strong
est terms the party managers for not putting
some Negro Representative upon the State
canvass. We are more than rs per cent. of
the entire voting population of the Republl-
can party in the State, and regard the slight
as direct insult to the manhood and intelll-
gence of the Negro race.
Reso5Ded That we commend the Democrats
for being what they profess to be, politically.
We further applaud them for such recogni-
ton as they have given eolored men, and hope
they may find others worthy of their conf
dence. Such recognition will do much to-
ward making the colored people politically in
dependent.
Reso5oed, That a copy of these resolutions
be sent to each weekly newspaper for publ
cation in Staunton.
Committee on Resolutions:
JAS Fl. CARTER, Chairman,
FRED. Fl. DILLARD, Secretary,
w. Ell. CARTER,