The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-10-12
The Negro and the Republican Party

White Republicans affect to believe that the
colored man is not aggressive and that there
is no need to fear negro rule. Some actually
believe this; others know that they are ag-
gressive, but they are of the class that care
not, and are only interested in spoils. Negro
rule to them would lose any of its evil effects,
if they shared in the rule.
We would not incite race prejudices. So
far as the negro is concerned he is already in
cited against white Democrats. But we
would warn Democrats and other white men
that it is time to pause and survey the situa-
ton.
The negroes in this state are powerful
body of voters. They number about 10000,
and no class of citizens stand so firmly to
political party as they do to the Republican.
Without the negro vote the Republican party
would be insignificant in numbers. The ne
gro vote enables the Republicans to carry
every county in the state they control, and
without their negro allies they would be en-
tirely without hope. The negroes begin TO
know their power, and are asserting them
selves. They have been gradually growing
holder, and their demands must be needed or
detection follow. They cannot longer be
ignored, and the Republican leaders realize Il.
In Southern Maryland, where they constitute
nearly the whole Republican strength. they
are filling some of the subordinate positions,
and electing themselves delegates to state and
congressional conventions All the delegates
from Calvert county to the recent state con
vention held in Westminster were negroes,
and there were negroes from some of the
wealthy and intelligent counties on the East
ern Shore. while several Of the Baltimore city
delegation were also colored men. The ne
groes have demanded fair proportion OF
places in the Baltimore Customhonse and in
the internal revenue service and have gotten
the promise in the former case, and several col
ored men have been given places in the III
ternal revenue service. Their demands must
be needed. or RepublieAnism IS gone. and
their demands in the future must be acceeded
10 also. They are powerful enough to control
the Republican party, and mean to do So In
the event Of Republican rule In this state, It
would be virtually negro rule, with incompe-
,ency aud incapacity in official positions
Last winter the negroes held state conyen-
ton in Baltimore There were representa-
tive colored men presen, as delegates from
nearly every county. and the attendance vas
large. The convention issued an address,
which asks the legislature 10 strike the word
srhiis from all laws; asks the repeal Of The
las prohibiting the inter. marriage Of whites
and blacks; asks that at least one school IN
each election district OF every coaniy be
opened FOR ten months Of the year for
both white aud eolored children; that 81
children between & and - years Of sgv b.
admitted into any pnbiic school whose studies
they are capable Of Pursaing, that there shall
be one or more schools IN each electou dis,
trict where colorcd persons between 9 and -
years may BE- instructed. and from which no
one shall be excluded; that a cOmmon fund
be appropriated according to the respective
popalaiiou 81 the ~hite and coiorcd people,
that coIored youths Of both sexes b. admitted
20 the State Normal School and The Maryland
Agricultural COLLEGE; that the Legislature be
asked 10 erase all uHjsss discrimination and
pass eivil rights bill that colorcd teachers
be employed Tor colorcd schools
In sections where The coloryi population IS
too snail 10 justify the establishment Of
sch1sls for the oolossd ehildFen, they ask
thai The doors Of the schools already IN cx.
is,enoe Cor whitc childrea be opened 10 taen.
These are lhe demands Of The eolorv5 poo
PIE, through their representative Reports
Of the proceedings ofths ooavcHtioa, Together
wlih synopsis Of The address shsy adopted.
wrfe pabiished ia the Baltimore daily press as
the tusr, and lhe esFccs Of these demands
upon the Republican party Is shown by the
failo~iax resolution passed a, the late state
Republican caaveai5on
I'VE recognize 18th pleasure ,hc pToSress
made hy ihe eoiorrd race guiry Shr enJuy
meat Of eivil and political hbessy. aud Sc
favor kuaEaniscing. by Appropriate legislation
II necessary. the employment Of cplorrd
teachers Ia III co}ored schools. whcn BY sn
doisg equal advantages 10 tie way q edaea
tion can BE- afforded, and ~ advocate morc
ample pguvision FOR the education 81 ihe col
orcd race. aud &c desoauce the practice Of
the Democratic party IN is sysicmatic aud
persistent attempts 20 deprive tho cpiorcd
cisiAeus Of thu right a franchise is effort by
Eruandicss arrests snd other modes Of iuizaal
dation 10 deter them from lho exercise Of
their rights a. = violation Of ghe splrIt uf Tie
Constitution and sn Indication Of = settled
purpose 10 rob them Of the most cherished
privilege ct freomsa, aad re reasscfi it a. the
determination Of the Republican party %
~ ~ 81 HaaN.
and 10 give this class OF cur eigiEens the am.
plest protection Of the laws
The hrss part OF the resolution promises
more ample provision fof the education Of the
e5lorssi race. bat not word Is sAid abous
improving the educational facilities Tor the
rhife race; and eolored teachers are promised
for caiored schools To these things every Re-
publican nominee for the Legislature is pledg
ed. The state convention dared not 70 further.
for an exodus Of white voters from the party
would have followed. To blind The negro
and to fan the flames Of race prejudice, 10
order to evAde the further demands Of tbs negro
state convention, the balance Of the resolu
ton pretended tha, the Democratic party was
striving TO deprive the negro OF the elective
franchise and Was ben, upon prosecuting him.
which they know to be false, and pledged the
Republican party to maintain his rights and
give him the amplest protection % the law.
We ask the white citizens Of Carroll 10
ponder well these facts, and to ask themselves
IL il is not time 10 cali halt. II Republican
rule should be established in this state the
promises Of the Republican platform would
have to be fulfilled, aud in time every demand
Of the negro for mixed schools and mixed
marriages would have to be granted.
Hon. Roger 2. Mills, chairman Of the ways
and means committee in the last congress,
was interviewed recently and said:
Though in the minority, the Democrats