The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-04-19
The Birmingllam idea.

The white Republicans of Alabama
in organizing a white mans Republican
party have very distinctly stated the
room of the colored brother is better
than his company-that no negroes need
apply for admission to tie select corps
either as officers or high privates. This
goes a little further than ever before at
tempted by a political party North or
South The veriest bourbous that ever
camped on the coat tails of progress
have been more than willing to get the
votes Of the colored people, but these
white Republicans organize with the
main purpose of excluding the negroes
from any participation in politics. 1t
is said President Harrison is in SYM
pathy with the movement, and will
deal out the proYender in order TO make
it a success. at the Birmingham meet
ing. on "Wednesday of last week, dele
gate who said he would not desert the
negro Sas fired out of the meeting iD
short order. The negroes and "po'
whites" are worked up over these aris-
tocratic didos. and have also held a
meeting at Birmingham, drafted red
hot resolutions and appointed a coms
mittee TO carry them to Mr.. Harrison.
Let's ostracise the white Republicans
and go back on the party was the slo>
gan of some OF the prominent negro
orators.
The Alabama incident simply illus
trates feeling that largely prevails in
this country among the ruling race. no
matter whether they call themselves
Republicans or Democrats, or live North
or South. This is white mans gov
eminent and will be so maintained, not
TO the oppression or wrong of the color
ed race but to their manifest advantage.
The white Republicans of the South
who are not engaged IN operating the
negro vote for selfish purposes are as
fully committed 10 this policy as their
Democratic neighboIs. The Pittsburgh
Gazette feigns a weak disapproval of the
Birmingham movement, but the fact is
incontrovertable its party has excluded
the negroes from all positions of honor
or profit in this State. They are merely
regarded as so many head OF voting
cattle" Northern Republicans apply
the birmingham idea, but sugarcost it
with cant and bumbug to keep the
voting cattle" straight in line. The
Gazette says Shutting out the color
ed voters is simply catering TO pre-
judice that will do the Republican party
more harm than good" Well, the
Gazette and Its party in this city, county
and State have been doing nothing else
since the negro was enfranchisea.
They "cster to the pref udice'' by alb
sorbing "de perwisions.
The Philadelphia Bulletin, very radi-
cal Republican, admits the Birmingham
movement is dead against the "ekal
rights' blather and humbug of its par
ty, but comforts the negro with the
hope it may result in his benefit by a
division of the whole vote-nothing is
said about division of the colored
vote, which is in fact the key of the
situation. The Bulletin says "The
promoters of the new aDti-negro Re
publican party of Alabama il must be
said perhaps unconsciously have begun
most auspicious movement looking
toward the solution of the vexed South
ern pIoblem.' The problem will never
be solved by holding the colored vote
solid and dividing the white vote. The
whites are not likelv to be divided by
that transparent device. They have
learned the lesson OF unity in the school
Of necessity. Post.