The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-12

Democratic leaders. And while it is too
early 10 predict yet believe that President
Cleveland will be renominated in 1888, and
that q united party and the Independent
voters will be behind him-Randall and
Morrison, Hill and Carlyle, Dana and Pulit-
ger, Curtis and Goldman Godkin and Ben
nett, working with all their might TO return
him to the White-house.
You ask Ii in supporting the Democratic
party OF the north we do not support the
Democratic party Of the south, and If they
are not one and the saI~c thing and also ii
Bishop Pierce and Bob looms were not typi-
cal Democrats vocing the sentiments of the
ultra wing Of their party.
confess that ! can understand why the
colored people of the south are hostile to the
Democratic party. The Democrats of the
north pass civil rights bills, and under their
rule we are free as the air we breathe in the
enjoyment Of our inalienable Tights---life
liberty, and the pursuit of happi-
ness 1t is altogether different below
Mason and DiXons line. Southern De-
mocracy is narrow in ITS views and unfair in
its practices. The solid south ought to be
brokOn and | believe that supporting the
Democratic party and continuing them in
power will the more speedily lead To this re-
suit. The whites Of the south will remain
solid and will keep the blacks in political
subjugation as long as they are confronted
by a Republican party with a solid african
contingent"
don't care the snap Of my finger for the
utterdnce OF the late Bob Toombs or the
political declarations of Bishop Pierce.
The former was never rcconciled 10
the national government but how
many people did he influence in
his incorporating and hostile attitudop
Bob ToombS raved like maniac against the
national government and against the negro
while your own Siate-your native State
showed her loyalty TO the constitution, aud
established institutions of learning for the
education of the negro and helped 10 main
tain college for the higher education Of the
"brother in Black" DIR. Haygood is more
representative of present southern opinion
than Bishop Pierce. | do not think, doctor,
that you are fair in setting forth the rawlings
OF Bob Toombs or the fogyisms of Bishop
Pierce rs the dominant sentiment OF the
south.
do not believe that the colorcd people
should abandon the Republican party in an
exodus sort of style that would be childish,
as pucrle and contemplate as the slogan,
party wright or wrong / simply contend
that at this late day there Is no reason why
the colorcd vote should blindly adhere 10
what you call the grand old party" You
compare IL To n ship that has carried us safe
thus far You forget, doctor, that Republican
party looked upon US as Jonah In 1876 and
tossed us overheard. Self-rcspcct and self-re-
lance should prevent Us from struggling TO
hang on TO whatever We can catch from the
ship, when we may use many other agencies
Of safety, get into life-boats that are within
reasonable reach, and, needing not the roar
| ing waves, pull for the shore.
The political issues Of today are not what
| they were twenty years ago, and yet some
OF Us make the same old speeches, showing
that we forget nothing and learn nothing.
believe that the colorcd people should take
sides with parties according to their views Of
questions of public policy, and according to
the practical recognition which the re-
| spcctive parties will guarantee them in the
| public service.
You ask II the colorcd people can afford
| 10 divide like white people until the matter
/ Of their civil and political rights Is assured
| them.
My dear sir the colorcd vote has been solid
since lsGS, and yet Il has steadily declined In
| its pOtentiality until now IL Is overlooked or
! dcspiscd even In its solidity; and a Repub-
! lican national supreme court has only with
| In the last two years declared congressional
civil rights legislation null and void. What
has our solidity accomplished? Nothing |
believe that We shall hasten the full enjoy
| mcnt everywhere Of our civil and political
rights by diffusion and rctard IL boy solidity.
In the north, east and west II Is inmate
rial 10 the colorcd people, No far as their
rights are concerned, whether a Democrat or
q Republican state or national administra-
ton Is In power. The negro enjoyed his
rights as fully under Hoadlcy rs he does
under Foraker in Ohio, aud he Is now en-
| loving them as freely under Abbott IN New
Jersey and Hill in New York, as under
Wotmorc in Rhode Island or Robinson In
| Massachusetts,.
But doctor. | cannot reply TO all Of your
questions. They cover TOO wide q field
must ask the liberty 10 pass over your qucs-
ton as 10 prohibition, for example, with tho
simple remark that Rcpublicanism, Dcmoc-
rury mugwumpi,m and prohibition will
| hereafter each have It's COlOrcd adhcrcuts.
Negroes ns they grow IN intelligence will
divide up among these different parties.
apologize Tor this personal allusiOn. Ten
years ago began my public career IN South
Carolina ! was classcd among the indie
pendent Republicans, supporting with the
Democrats Gov Chambcrlnins wise admin
istration, although found myself opposed
IN politics 10 my esteemed and valued friends
aud learned law partners, Gen. X d. Elliott
and the Hon. ID. 4. Strakor. Writing to gen
tlcman who il still In public life In my native
State, hOldingan elective office | said Ia him,
and now say 20 you; 1T Is our imperative
duty and high privilege as young men en-.
/ htaNhIllk 70 u'ulnhhlialc thc possibilities OF
an intelligent, moral manhood 10 speak out
at times, but particularly at this juncturc In
our political history. The mass Of
the colorcd voters In South Carolina 1.-THE
mass of the colOrcl people Of the country
will not be as easily lei In the future as In
tho past, because they are beginning "
TO think for themselves. - JHioa Herad
Columbia, 5. C., June H. 1901 aud us wo
grow In intelligence we shall cease 81 vote
like 80 many machines especially whom we
gain nothing by sticking solidly ~ ono
party.
Aud now, doctor, have done. Even II
We differ upon these questions, we may give
each other credit for having the same cause
at hoatt-thc welfare Of our common cOun.
try and the elevation Of the negro race. Our
political paths Ia the future may grow wider
apart, for u the Democratic party should
continue 10 increase IN libcmlity and wis.
dom, and II President Cleveland should
weary not la well doing and be rcnominnted.
! shall doubles, be among those who shall
follow his standard aud with him battle for
| equal rights low taxation, tariff revision,
honest money aud administrative reform
7 McCANTs STEWART.
A..