Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-06-23
&eaaing.
CLEVELAND ON THE COLORED MAN.


In the course of a recent conversation be-
tween the correspondent of the Fort Worth
Gazette and President Cleveland on the pres
ent and future of the colored man, the Pres
ident said, among other things:
AS for me, 1 cannot see any negro ques-
ton in our national affairs. 1t has ever been
my ambition to be the executive of all the
people-of the North and South alike, OF the
black as we'll as the white man. The laws
do not recognize any distinction and L DO
not see that one who is sworn to execute
these laws can recognize any distinction,
either. | see that considerable discussion
has been going on oflate over what shall be
done with the colored man, but l wish to
enter my protest against this parceling him
off as though he were a distinct element Of
our body polite. He is an American, n
as long as 1 have any influence with this
administration, to borrow a phrase from my
illustrious predecessor, he must have every
right his legal due. If there was any good
result reverting to the colored mar from the
accession to power of the Democratic party
I am determined that he shall have it to the
fullest extent.
The uncertain treatment the negro would
receive under a Democratic administration
was a strong element of opposition to the
election of Mr.. Cleveland. Mr.. Blaine and
his friends used this for all it was worth.
The charge was made on nearly every ros-
trum, that in case he was elected the negro
would be deprived of his political rights;
and it was asserted, by those who knew bet
ter, that the advent of the Democratic par
ty to power would relegate him to slavery.
This belief seized the minds Of thousands OF
the ignorant blacks of the South; and the
declaration was made so persistently and
with such %vehemence, many of the friends
of the negro, who, otherwise, were willing
to see a change, doubted its safety. But fiji
teen months of Mr.. Cleveland's rule have
satisfied the country that these apprehen-
sions were %unfounded. He has shown him.
self to be the friend of every race and class
alike, and as careful to protect the rights OF
all. as to see the laws faithfully executed.
His recent utterance epitomizes his policy
in the past and the future. His consistent
and just course disarms opposition from the
colored stand point. The Republican party
was never the honest friend of the negro,
and the latter begins to see it. They hoped
to capture the South by giving the negro the
ballot, but failed in it. TO the Republican
leaders the negro has ever been a political
newer of wood and drawer of water, and
without his help they would have lost pow
err long before they did. AS a political fac
tor in the hands of the Republican party his
power is broken, and will never be to them
in the future what it was in the past. Mr..
Cleveland's conservative course has not only
disarmed the apprehensions of the colored
race, but a large per centage of the Repub-
lican party. They are already assured that
his rule will be mild and peaceful, and even
his reforms will be carried forward with
such care no interest will receive 4 shock
Doylestoun, Pa., Democrat.