The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-19

ticket Oh said he, these Republicans won't
give us any Offices Well, my friend said /,
maybe they don't; but down in Mississippi we
don't ask for offices. All we ask is the right to
live and then afterward perhaps, we will ask
for Office Whether they give you any Office or
not, it is a great mistake getting into the heads
of colored men in the North that they don't at
tach sufficient Importance to principle and con
viction An honest man chooses between parties
on principle and conviction, not because this man
says / will give you this or that Honorable
men join parties as you join churches-on
conviction and principle. Money, and per-
suasion and Office cannot change them
Office holding is merely one of the
incidents of party success, and il coored men
will exert their influence for suitable recognition
and preferment within the party. they will come.
You ought not to create upon the public mind
that you are for sale, whether for money OF of
fee.
Southern Democrats do not DENY that the
elections are not free, fair and honest They ad-
nit that they count out Republicans whenever
necessary. This is serious question Here we
are living under system of government sup
posed to be republican in form, which we say
recognizes the rights of all in equal participation
in the election of their officers; yet it is notori
Gus fact that in nearly half of this Union almost
one half of the voters denied those rights by
practices that are fraudulent.
''Some Republicans in this part of the country
express the hope that the prohibition question
in the South will so divide the Democrats thai
Republicans can get fair play. Let me say to
you as a Southern man there is nothing in that
Prohibition divides Republicans in the North,
but does not divide Democrats in the South
We had a prohibition State convention in Mis-
sissippi in July last. The same day Prohibition
conventions met in Kansas and New Hampshire
and put up State tickets. In Mississippi they
don't put up any. In my State they never allow
prohibition interfere with Democratic sue
cess When it interferes with Democracy they
cease to be Prohbitionists. They want you up
North to be divided while they remain united
what is needed is the creation of a public
opinion in the Northern States that will not
countenance the preparation Of these offenses
against our civil rights. Make this sentiment so
strong that no party dare go against it. Let the
Republican party take this up and MAKE it
leading issue. Put it in your State platform
What is the use of talking tariff or civil service
when nearly million citizens in the South are
voiceess. AS long you cannot have pure
and honest elections in this country all other
questions should be of secondary Importance.
Don't be afraid to say in the beginning of the
canvass what Mr. Blaine said at the end of the
last canvass and which, if said earlier, would
have elected him. Great applause
Mr.. Lynch will leave for his home to-day. He
Is now farming, the owner of large plantation.
and is said to be worth nearly $780, 00 Mr..
Lynch is about thirty eight years old, and was
had greater advantages and have failed to
achieve the measure of success accomplished by
this eloquent champion of the colored race.