The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-02-17
THE eLooDy SHIRT.



An Agricultural Paper Discus.es Reeens
Outrases I'm the South.
We have always been an advocate of
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, as believer in common Justice
upon which is founded the welfare of
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 grandly 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 fair land. the ac-
cording of square political justice to
the negro would be worth n thousand
times more than the selfish triumph of
Democracy or any other party.
The recent election in jackson,
Miss, is full of suggestivcness on this
question.
Before the election the following
circular was Distributed:
Driven by no sudden passion or blind i'm
pulse. but actuated by a firm and deliberate
sense Of the duty we owe to ourselves and to
our race, we hereby warn the negroes that II
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, TO foist on US again this black and
damnable mach inc miscalled government OF
our city.
Acting in accordance with this
warning the following resolution was
adopted by the colored voters of the
city:
WHEREAS. The colored people have been re-
liably informed that the Democratic club OF
committee Of Jackson have iI~ited Democrats
from various other places and adjoining coun-
ties to oe here election day for the purpose OF
preventing the colored voters from voting or
participating in the city election next Monday,
January 2, 1883; therefore, be 1t
Resoired That in the interest of peace and
harmony and the protection Of life and prop
erty. the colored people refrain from voting or
in any way participating in said election.
Reso'rsi further. That the colored candidates
for aldermen are hereby withdrawn.
ELIJAH ROBINSON, Chairman.
II. T. FISHER. Secretary.
This action brought out the following
response passed by the regular Demo-
cratic convention which nominated the
Democratic ticket ut 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 IL
Resoirsd That the Democracy of the city OF
jackson pledges itself that so far as 1t can gov
ern the election shall be fairly AMI reaceably
conducted.
The comment that naturally must
rise to the mind of the Northern man
who may be about to seek homo in
the South is obvious enough.
If he is man who loves justice. and
he is quite apt to be, he will certainly
say: "Wcll. if negro can not have the
right to vote where he pays taxes, what
guarantee will there be for me- y
Hoard's Dairyman (Ind.).