Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-11-13
PROF. BUSH.
From the Odessa Democrat, Nov. 81

From the Odessa Democrat, Nov.
Prot. Bush. colored man, made q
speech at the opera house ON Monday
night TO good sized audience compos-
ed mostly of whites. We are informed
that alb Dut twenty five Of his own race
were present to hear him, despite the
persuasiOns and protestations Of some.
Of the small fry white republicans of
Odessa and vicinity.
Our informant says that the speech
was good one in the manner Of its
delivery, the language and in the facts
set forth. He stated that he had hith-
erto voted the republican ticket and
that his race bad done the same thing:
that other recognition had not been &C.
corded them-save the privilege of
voting. When il came to the Offices.
these had been reserved for white re.
publicans. 1t was true they had plen.
ty of prmises, but that was all they
had received. MIR. Cleveland had
given to a colored man the office of
register of deeds, but q republican
senate had refused to confirm him be-
cause he was democrat.
The speaker exhOrted his few col
ored hearers to inform themselves and
vote understandingly-nOt to follow
blindly their party leaders IN the
future; to try the democratic party,
and If they did not receive recognition
to try something else.
The speech occupied about an hour
in its delivery. Whether any good
was accomplished connot now be told.
1t was seed sOwn in rather unpromis-
ing ground; field in which republi-
can tares have been growing for the
last twenty years. Little or no effort
has been made in Lafayette county to
control the colored vote-uor do we
believe that any illegitimate means
should ever be used in that direction;
but there 10 nothing amiss in giving
them proper instruction in politics.
They know that seven dollars in every
ten they receive for wages come from
democrats, and they also know that
nine-tenths OF the land they occupy as
renters or lease.holders belongs to
democrats.
A vast majority of them, however,
have yet to learn that any policy that
affects their employers or landlords
Will in the same proportion affect them.
Until the negro shall have become suf-
ficiently enlightened to understand the
above proposition no considerable
number of them will vote the demo-
cratic ticket.
About all the average negro knows
is, that there was great war, before
which they were elaves; after which
they became free-that Mr.. Lincoln
and Gen. Grant freed them, and they
were republicans-consequently all
negroes must be republicans. No
question of finance, of tariff or of
political economy cuts any figure in
determining their votes. The bugaboo
Of being returned to slavery has been
a potent factor with them in case the
democrats acceded to power. That
idea has been dispelled since Mr..
Cleveland's election, and if proper
effort is used by the democratic party
1T the next presidential election q great
change will be apparent IN the negro
vote. The intelligent negro knows
already that the pretended love of the
republican party for his race is sham.
In the northern republican states
" here they have the power they boot
1t the idea OF giving office 10 the "col-
'red man and brOther," except in very
are instances. Kansas has colored
late auditor, but he was defeated for
e nomination. The democrats, in the
lection that is being held there to-day,
nominated negro tor the same Office
n Kansas, and he has been roundly
bused by the republican press of Kan
as for accepting the nomination. A
reat sham is the republican party.