The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-03-23
The Race Issue.

The Race Issue.
Mr.. Henry W. Flournoy, Secretary OF State
of Virginia, in a speech before the Powhatan
Club of Richmond, recently, on "The Negro
Problem declared the solution OF the qucs-
ton would be the disfranchisement OF the
colored man, and this he believed would be
brought about by Northern men settling IN
the South, who, realizing the true condition
of affairs, would create sentiment IN ITS
favor in the North. Mr.. Flournoy, touching
mon the campaign in Virginia, declared that
The race question was the paramount one, ana
advised against the discussion OF the debt
tariff or other question.
We are not prepared to coincide with Mr.
Flournoy's prediction as to the distranchlse-
ment of the colored man. We are rather dis
posed to believe that such will never be done,
though we know that most Northern men who |
90 South to settle and enter into business, no
matter what their political affiliations were
before going, join with the whites-the Demo
crats-in maintaining control of the local ana
State governments. 1t is a matter OF sell
preservation, and they are driven into the
Democratic ranks-or at least driven to vote
the Democratic ticket-n order that they may
have good, stable government, and escape
high taxation which would result from tx
travagance and incompeteney. The Kepuoil-
cans Of the South are mainly politicians and
Mace seekers, who use the colored man to
further their ambitions. Good government
and taxation are not questions that much
concern them-place and pelf are the con-
trolling motives for their action.
II is vel. known fact that Northern men
who seek homes in the South upon farms,
carefully avoid counties where the negroes are
in the majority and control local affairs, and
particularly is this true ifthey be Republicans.
Selfinterest is largely developed in our North
ern brethren, and they viii not settle where
they are likely to have high taxation and IN
competent public officials. Some ofthe finest
agricultural sections ofthe South are languish-
ing en- account of negro ascendancy. A large
section of Maryland presents an inviting held
for agriculture aud horticulture, but the high
taxation and large, ignorant negro vote, Nhich
is nearly equal to the white, turns settlers
away from land that can be purchased for
one.fourth its real value.
Mr. Flournoy is quite night IN advocating
the race question as the issue in the approach
ing campaign 10 Virginia. The colored Peo-
pIe of that grand old commonwealth have
been most generously treated by the white
race in every particular, especially in the
matter of educational facilities. In many
ways the white race has eudeavored to show
the colored people that their Interests were
identical and that all their rights snd priv
leges would be guaranteed them But after
sixteen or eighteen years of friendly treat
ment and educational advantages, overtures
Of friendship have been rejected, and eduea-
ton, such Is they we're able 70 take, has not
dispelled ignorance and prejudice, and there
Is nothing left fer the whites TO do but close
an ranks and vote down she ninety or more
thousand negroes sho are banded against
them, and who are led by the INSCRIPTIONS
Malone and his hangers GU and place seekers.
What is true of the situation in Virginia Is
frue in a great measure Of the situation IN
MARYLAND. The Democratic party 10 this
State has been generous in its treatment OF
the colored race. Every law for its ad-
vaneement has beeR passed BY Democratic
Legislature aud approved BY Democratic
Governor. The colored people have equal
rights under the laws and enjoy equal
educational advantages with the whites. The
Democratic party has given evidences Of
friendship time and again, but friendship has
been rejected aud the educational advantages
afforded, as in Virginia, has had no effect in
dispelling ignorance aud prejudice. Atesery
election since 1870 the black brigade, some
forty or fifty thousand strong, has marched IN
solid column to the polls and voted against
the party that pays the bulk Of the taxes
and comprises two-ihirds Of the virtue and
intelligence Of the state. The great major
ity Of this black brigade pSy no taxes,
know nothing OF government, aud care less,
have no interest in society, and cannot read
the ballots they cast Does any man. or any
party, seriously pretend that such people are
iii for the exercise Of the elective franchise
Does anybody seriously pretend that sixteen
or eighteen years Of educational advantages
has better qualified them for an intelligent
use Of the ballot If so, where Is the EVIL
denee? White mea differ and divide into
parties; the negroes remain solidly together
and adhere 20 one party, notwithstanding they
owe all their advantages in this state to the
opposite party, and are mostly dependent
upon members Of that party fof 8 livelihood.
In the beginning there was so@e eSeuse for
this political budding together. Their con
dition excited pity, and their uuanimity did
nos beget resentment. But after eighteen
years there is no longer use to exercise pity
or to show friendship, and the proper course
for the Democratic party is to hoist the white
mans banner and band together for self
protection. Opposition begets opposition,
and the negro mas be taught that he is not to
rule this state, in connection with the very
small white vote, many OF the leaders Of which
are mere place hunters and spoilsmen. In
Western Maryland the negro vote is not large.
and not so aauch 70 BE- feared, though il is
sufficient to turn the scales IN nearly every
county. II u Ob the LaSteIu chotS auH ia
Southern Maryland where it is most to be
feared, and where II IS led principally by
whites Who have no other interest in govern
ment thaa 10 hold office. In number Of
counties IL these sections the negro vote is
nearly equal to The white, aud there it is that
the white standard should be particularly
raised.
RepubIieanism, as praetieed in Maryland
when the Republican party held sway here,
should be pictured during the approaching
campaign alse, ia order that the young men
who have grown up since those times may
Judge Of the fitness Of that party TO govern
ehis state. Many of the leaders in those days
are prominent ~ party councils now, and by
edneir fruit they shoald be judged.
President Harrison is going TOO slow for
those who areawaibing appointment to Office.
There are over ter thousand place seekers in
Washington trying 70 get positions, in addition
to many hundreds from Maryland, Virginia