The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-02-13
GIVE THE NEGRO A CHANCE.
Letter of u Colored Man to Representative
Democrats

peoples newspaper, publishes an oper
letter to the democratic party writer
| by George L. Downey, a we'll known
colored man. The following is the
| text:
To Hons. WILLIAM f. DoRsuEDIER
DUDLET ID. FIELD, ALGERNoN S. SULLI
VAN, r. A. Pryor, and JOSEPH Pull.
TIER Gentlemen; l take the liberty
to address you this open letter because
you are democrats, and have influence
with your party, and because l be-
lievc your devotion to pure demo
cratic principles will admit of youl
advocating that the democratic party
shall henceforth favor the recognition
OF the cOlored element of the land. rs
it has not heretofore done. l refer
with some pride to the fact that my
better Judgment prompted me to eff
forts toward bringing about such a
condition of public affairs as would
warrant the division of the colored
vote, and that they have not been
fruitless. Iregard the election of Hon.
Grover Cleveland to the presidency as
happy event. 1t affords an opportu-
nifty for the democratic party to en-
courage consistent and just policy
toward the colored man, which be-
lieve will be taken advantage of. This
belief arises from expressions already
used by the president-elect; from en-
couraging declarations unexpectedly
given by Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks;
from the significant stand taken in
congress by such large number of
democrats on the O'Hara amendment
to the Reagan interstate commerce
bill; from the position affecting the
civil rights of colored men taken by
Mr. Cleveland as governor of the state
of New York, and of similar stand
just taken by plumber of other dem
ocratic governors; because material
interests prompt to such line of pol
icy, and because it is just. A number
of circumstances are having the effect
to arouse the colored people from the
intoxication as to party that has been
upon them. They will be enabled in
future to discriminate and use more
Judgment as to men, partisan policies,
and acts. Encourage them. There
are democrats who are as much dis
posed to deal fairly with the colored
man as others, but who have been, I'M
fortunately, hampered and restrained
by an element within their party which
has caused the party to be distrusted
and passed by for at least twenty-four
long years by the majority of the peo-
pie. This element of the party can not
IN good faith expect more liberal di-
vision to make further sacrifices, or adj
here to the policy of the past not
suited to the present state of affairs.
1t can not be expected at such cost
policy that wars with the declara-
tons of the party nationally made in
1872, and emphatically repeated in its
national platform only few months
ago in obedience TO the demands of
public sentiment.
This advance is made to you, gen.
tlemen, not to concede any right, but
because you are representative por-
ton of the democratic party, which is
a power | feel warranted in appeal
ing to it. do so because a crisis is
upon the parties; because the demo-
cratic party is in more mellow mood
touching the interest of the colored
man than has exhibited itself within
my day; because L have never been
slave to party.
The colored vote may be won, which
is better than to intimidate it. That
WHICH Is necessary thereto does not
call for change varying from what
has become, L may say, to some ex-
tent, crystallized into custom or law,
beyond what has been conceded to be
just. 1t involves no disregard of vest
ed interests, proprietary claim, inva-
sion of any private or domiciliary |
right. What is necessary is respect |
Tor common or public rights; regard |
'or merit, intellectual attainment;
respect irrespective of color for proper
ceilings, including natural and just as
oirations. 1t does not involve domin-
ltion because of color by white or
,olored.
l hope for fair play. Certainly my
white fellow-citizens who has had the
advantage of centuries of culture, do
and who is wealthy, will not
10 restrained from acting Justly
trough any thought of the black man
n free and equitable field, becoming
master of the situation. Distrust of
he democratic party has been felt by
he colored man, and not by him alone.
t threw the party out of power in
$50 on issues involving the colored
nan's rights. 1t is about to be rein
tated. May its new advent to power
Q for the best.
II is the earnest wish of those who
re persuaded that broader democratic
Jews shall prevail in parties; that
here should be division in the color
d vote; that all remnants of past dis
'ust be destroyed. May our worthy
lcoming president be encouraged ON
II sides in his determination, so far as =,
| him the power lay to see to it that j
o man s rights and privileges shall be {
escriminated against, as at present, I
ecause of his color. The colored I
ote may be divided. The colored t
zen are broadening daily; they are
more and more the influ- '
ice of moral character, of education, t
industry and frugality i'll begetting /
spect, and also observe the influence
sgotten of being cared Tor by their a
lows. They observe daily the con- d
Iteration that goes along with the &C. S