The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-20
The Colored Voters.

The colored vote in the north will receive
more attention in this than in any
previous presidential campaign. Neither
party will trouble itself about the colored
vote of the south, because neither would
gain anything by doing so. The southern
republican party is virtually dead, and no
amount of effort could put enough vigor
in 1T TO enable it to carry southern state.
1t would take much longer time than is
allotted to this campain to reorganize 1t,
and after it was reorganized it would not
have the solid support of the colored voters
which they once gave it. The democrats
will carry every southern state. This the
republicans admit, and, hence, no attempt
will be made by either party to bring out
the southern colored vote.
In the north the situation is different,
particularly in the doubtful states Of New
York, New Jersy and Connecticut. In each
of these three states the colored vote is
quite large, and the indications are that
each party will make a special effort to get
as much of it as it can. If the republicans
could control the whole of it their chances
Of carrying these states would be greatly
improved. If the democrats could get it,
or even the greater part of it, their success
would be assured.
The republicans have always regarded
the colored vote as belonging to them, and,
hence, heretofore have made no special eff
fort to get it, and the democrats, recogniz-
ing how strongly it was attached to the re-
publican party, have not thought it worth
while to cultivate it.
A very noticeable change has taken place
in the sentiments of the colored voters
within the last three years Their eyes
have been opened to two things. The first
is that the republican party wants their
votes to help 1t get into power, and doesn't
propose to recognize that help in any way.
The second is, that three years or more of
democratic rule has convinced them that
they have as much, if not more, to expect
from the democratic, than the republican
party. The consequence is that very
large percentage Of them is seriously think
ing of acting with the democratic party
The average colored voter In the north is
much more intelligent than his colored
brother in the south. He is a greater
reader of the newspapers and much more OF
an observer. He sees that where the repub-
hcans are in control the colored. man gets
no particular recognition from that party,
and none of the privileges for which he is
continually contending. He hears much
about the rights and privileges of the
colored race from platform and stump ora
tors and sees much more in the republican
prints, but there are no practical illustra-
tions of these things He is not fairly dealt
with and he knows it. Hypocrisy disgusts
him and he becomes tired of it. He is not
wanted in the offices, and he was virtually
shut ont from the northern delegations to
the Chicago convention. What benefit, he
is beginning to ask, is it to him to continue
to vote with the republican party2 He
finds no satisfactory answer, and he is look
ing toward the democratic party.
Each of the great parties recognizes that
the northern colored voters are restless and
dissatisfied. The republicans see that their
hold upon them is becoming weaker, and
the democrats understand that they are
ready to change their politics. There will,
therefore, be contest in this campaign for
the colored voters in the north, and the
power they have is well worth contending
for. Mr.. Cleveland carried New York in
1884 by majority of a little more than
1000. There are many thousands of colored
voters in that state. The reason why both
is apparent.