Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-06-20
Tha Negro and the pemOeratIc Party.

The Negro and the Democratic Party.
One of the most gratifying, as it is one of
the most significant circumstances connect
ed with the st. Louis convention is the or
ganization of ssNegro National Democrat
ic League" Nearly one hundred represent
alive democrats, it is reported, from more
than dozen states, engaged in the forma-
ton of the league, of which James NJ. Vena,
of st. Louis, was elected chairman, and J.
j. Brown, of Springfield, Illinois, secreta-
ry. If there were solitary instance of the
awakening political independence of the
negro, it would still be a matter of thank.
fulness on the part of those who have the
welfare of the colored race, especially in the
South, is of serious concern. But just at
this juncture numerous incidents can be cl-
ted which prove that the democratic party
and democratic government are no longer
subjects of fear for the colored man. Inc
"Progress," published by colored men ID
Louisiana, declares that in the recent cleo
tions in that State thousands of that race
voted the democratic ticket. Ex-Governor
Bullock, of Georgia, an outspoken republl-
can, radical of radicals during the recon
struction period, not only stated recently
that it would afford him much pleasure to
vote for SO excellent an executive as Gov
ernor Gordon, but gave it as his opinion
that under democratic rule the negroes fare
exceedingly we'll and that they can gain
nothing by republican ascendancy. In
deed not go so far from home to find an ex-
qualification of the confidence of the negro
in the justice and fairness Of the democrat
ic party, for the election in this city few
weeks ago, furnishes abundant proof that
'sa change has come DER the spirit of his
Dreams" 1t is matter of common knowl-
edge, that in many election contests in sew
oral Southern states, especially in local OPP
ton elections, the celored element has play
ed an important part, ranging itself on the
side which it supported irrespective OF form
er political utilization.
Further instances are not wanting to
show that the colored voter is becoming
tired of being held IN the political goods
and chattels" condition. Speaking of the
coming national contest and Mr.. Cleveland S
candidacy, the New York age" repre-
sentative organ of the colored race, edited
by Mr.. Jerome G.. Peterson, utters the fol-
lowing
"We know of no other democrat in the
country in whom the colored voters Of all
shades of opinions have more confidence,
and for whom larger number will cast
their ballots. It will be well for the next
national republican committee to remember
GuaU LILO DOlltlCdl blbudGlOA AG1o UOOu nlhOob
entirely revolutionized since the campaign
of 1884.
X
There will be shrewd, able and tireless
colored men of national reputation on the
democratic side. They will have the conf
dence of the managers Of the democratic
committees, and will be heard in the cam
paign side by side with the ablest democrats
in the land, and they will speak through
democratic daily papers in language which
will be heard. +"
Stronger yet is the language of Mr.. T.
Thomas Fortune, who is conceded 10 be one
of the foremost men of his race liz the coun-
try, and who, by reason of his ability, now
holds a position on the editorial staff of the
New York Sun. He says:
'fIf the question of race rights be taken
out of the republican platform; or, if it re-
main there as glittering generality, why
should 1 or any other intelligent colored
citizen continue to hurrah for the republi
can party and vote for its candidates II
the questions of the tariff, of surplus re-
duction, and reform of the civil service are
to be the leading issues of the impending
contest why not and other intelligent col
ored voters cooperate with the democratic
party, if its attitude upon these questions
more nearly conforms 80 our honest coEvic
tions than the attitude OF the republican
party? This is the reducti0 dd a6Saw'dGD
of the whole matter. That government j:
best which governs least, which is not f;
leading principle of republican party pol
icy"
l don't think, furthermore, that the re
publican party is big enough to hold all tht
colored voters in the country, any mort
than is the democratic party. During tht
i. ,Ar.r rlE I'll,
siton as an editor, lecturer and journals
of fortune. l am convinced that regpec
table number of intelligent colored mel
can effect more good inside the democrats
party than has been effected by millions O
them inside the republican party since
1876, pulling chestnuts out of the fire fol
politicians who simulate an interest they
do not feel, and l am going TO put the mat
ter to the test. | am not alone in the
position | now take. There are plenty Of
us who are gratified at the patriotic policy
of President Cleveland and the democrats
in congress since 1884 in matters affecting
colored citizens, and who will do all we
can to elect the nominee Of the st. Louis
convention.
We might multiply these proofs of the
growing political intelligence and discrimi.
nation Of the colored people, bat what We
have adduced will suffice to show that the
republican party is rapidly losing the iror
hold upon the negro which it has had for 6
quarter of a century. Of course, it viii moi
be claimed that, for some years to come, {
majority Of the colored voters will not afil
late with the republican party, but it cal
be claimed with perfect safety that if th'
democratic party but pursues the right sor
of policy, it will attract to its ranks, NOR
and more every year, large numbers of tn
colored suffragans. In this gradual change
and in this alone, lies the rational solution
of the southern political problem. Througl
it alone can the solid south become a thin;
of the past. In DO other way will the rae
issue be entirely obliterated, to give plac
to other questions that affect the political
material and moral welfare and progres
principally Of the southern negro, but in
large degree also of all the people of th
south = Pefersb1Jr0 Tnder- Ar91enl