The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-02-23
THE BLOODY SHIRT.
An Agricultural Paper Discusses Recent
Outrsges in the South.

a chiva rOus regard on the part of the
North towards the South. As one who
saw something of the horrors of war in
that section, we could not feel other.
wise. We have known and believed
that the people of the South were Ia
boring under peculiar difficulties in
their social and political affairs. such
as the well-established and well-or.
dered communities of the North knew
but little of.
But, rs believer in common justice
upon which is founded the welfare OIL
the common people everywhere, We
have long been of the opinion that the
Southern people under the lead OF
Democracy were standing seriously in
the light of their own progress and
advancement.
They are anxious to build up their
country; anxious to increase their popu.
lation by the introduction of sober. in
dustrious people from the North; anx,
ious. and worthily so. to see the same
forces of prosperity at work among
themselves that so grandiy prevail at
the North. This is laudable ambit-
ion, and one that finds in our own
heart, and the hearts of thousands OF
other Republicans in the North,a warm
response.
But they seem strangely oblivious to
the foundation principles which have
governed and must ever govern in the
building up of communities and States.
in this Republic. Rank political injus-
tice to the poor and lowly elements of
society is very poor method to employ
to induce any set of men who love JUS
tice to settle among them.
The prosperity of the North is found
ed on the fact that every man. no mat
ter what his color or nationality, is pro-
tected in his political rights. That he
shall have the right to vote for his
choice of the men who are to govern,
and the fair. square right to have that
vote counted.
The solid attitude of public opinion
in favor of that right gives guaranty
to every man, rich or poor. learned or
ignorant, that his rights are secure,
and as a consequence the men who
labor and by their labor build up our
communities so grandly, stay by us
and with us.
We wish the people of the South
could see that, for the sake of Northern
immigration to their far land, the ac-
cording of square political justice to
the negro would be worth thousand
times more than the selfish triumph of
Democracy or any other party.
The recent election in jackson.
Miss, is full of suggestiveness on this
question.
Before the election the following
circular was distributed:
Drivel by no sudden passion or blind i'm
Pulse, but actuated by firm and deliberate
sense of the duty we owe TO ourselves and 10
our race, we hereby warn the negroes that if
any one OF their race attempts 70 run for office
In the approaching municipal election he does
so at his supremest peril; and we further
warn any and all negroes of this city against
attempting at their utmost hazard. by vote or
influence, 10 foist on us again this black and
damnable machine miscalled a government of
our city.
Acting in accordance with this
warning the following resolution was
adopted by tae colored voters of the
CITY:
WHEREAS, The colored people have been re-
lably informed that the Democratic club or
committee of Jackson have invited Democrats
from various other places and adjoining coun-
ties to be here election day for the purpose OF
preventing the cOored voters from voting or
in the city election next Monday,
January =, 1883; therefore. be it
ResOlUsd, That in the interest OF peace and
and the protection OF life and prop
erty, the colored people refrain from voting or
In any way participating in said election.
ResoiUsd FURTHER, That the colored candidates
for aldermen are hereby withdrawn.
ELIJAH ROBINSON Chairman.
H T. FISHER. Secretary.
This action brought out the following
response passed by the regular Demo-
cratic convention which nominated the
Democratic ticket at jackson:
WHEREAS, This convention having received
the assurance that hereafter no negro alder
man or negro policeman will be part OF the
city government and that IN the election to be
held Monday next none but white men will
vote, the negroes having voluntarily agreed to
stay away from the polls; therefore, be it
ResotUed, That the Democracy of the city OF
Jackson pledges itself that so far it can gov
srn the election shall be fairly and peaceably
conducted.
The comment that naturally must
rise to the mind of the Northern man
who may be about to seek home in
The South is obvious enough.
If he is man who loves justice. and
he is quite apt to DE, he will certainly |
say: "Well. if negro can not have the
light TO vote where he pays taxes, what |
guarantee will there be for e.
HOGrG'S DnillLrnn1l (Illdl