Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-25
AS THEY LOOK AT 1T.
VIEWS OF LOCAL coLoRED MEN ON THE
PROPOSED BOYCOTT.

They Look Upon II rs n Sort of Biuf-Rev
G.M. Clinton Sees One Fatal Section In
the Force Bill-Some Other Ideas OF
Race Representatives.
Opinions on the Federal election bill, and
the proposed Southern boycott in case the
bill passed, were elected from prominent
colored citizens of Pittsburg, yesterday.
Their views are interesting from the fact
that the bill affects the welfare of their race
| in the South to, a considerable extent.
The threat of fSouthern white men to boy
colt negroes who would have anything to do
with the proposed measure called ont
| a spirited discussion, and among the
leading local men who expressed an
opinion was Hezekiah Anderson. He said:
ut will be long time before the Southern
whites try any boycott schemes. They would
break their own backs. The so-called new
South was really instituted by Northern push
and go, and the people In the Southern States
will go slow before they attempt to shut out
products of the North. Southern white men
are repeatedly asserting that the South is in
terrible danger of negro rule if the Federal bill
becomes law. The fact is the colored men
will vote for whoever is most eligible to office,
whether he be white or black. There is moth
ing in the stories of uDrisings and instructions.
The negro is peaceable. and if he ever enjoys
the full possession of his right to cast free
ballot, he will make loyal citizen, true to his
country. He has never lmbbed the doctrines
of any other nation, and knows nothing but
America. 1t would be to the best interests of
the United States to pass the force bill"
THINKS IT A BLUFF.
Lemuel Googins remarked briefly: This
boycott business is a characteristic bluff of the
Southern white men who want to play on the
fears of the negroes. 1t is absurd for them to
contend against the moneyed men of the North,
who could easily freeze them out"
Said w. l. Billows: This is only piece of
braggadocio on the part of the South. The
condition of the negro is not affected in the
least, and even if they should attempt to shut
him out of work down there, he could go West,
become acclmated TO the country and farm.
The false impression that negro rule would
ensue in the South If the election bill passes
should be eradicated from the minds of the
people. Prominent colored men of the South
will tell you that they will not vote for man
because he has a black face. but support the
man who is most capable OF Milling the position,
whether he is negro or white man."
Rev. g. NJ. Clinton, who has wide personal
knowledge of the interests of the Southern
negro, commented as follows: II have watched
with interest the progress of the Federal cleo
tion legislation from the evening that Speaker
Reed made his speech before the Americus
Club. When the bill was first formulated saw
one damaging defect which am sure will de-
feat it of its aim in the section for which it is
mainly intended, and which will result in great
harm to the people whose rights have been
trampled under foot by the dominant class
in the South. That defect is the one
so sensibly treated by Senator Sherman, viz:
the proviso leaving optional with the citizens of
district or precinct to petition for the enforce
ment of the bill. This section gives bad col
oring to the whole plan, and very justly gives
the South the ground to believe it was only in
tended for that section.
SHOULD NOT BE LOCAL.
81 believe the bill should apply to all sections
alike, and be enforced whether or not any
number petition for its enforcement Then
the Democrats and Southern people could not
claim it was a partisan scheme, intended only
to keep the present party in power
in the National Legislature. The reason
think it will defeat the aim for which 1t
was intended is because there will be few
precincts where sufficient number of re-
sponsiqe citizens can be induced to sign and
forward the petition. All manner and forms
of intimidation will be resorted to. as has
already been hinted to prevent colored men
from sending up such petition, and those
white men who would affiliate with the Repub-
lican party and demand honest elections and
fair count, would jeopardiZe all their local
interest and social standing in the community
by Joining hands with them in favor of such
petition. The lives and property OF all con-
cerned would be endangered. That there is
need of such legislation no sane man need
doubt, but it should have no uncertain sound.
1t SnOuld De clear ana Dlndlng upon
all sections alike. The negroes of the
South desire to vote. and on voting
day they cluster around the polls even when
they have no tickets. If the legislation is per-
fected and made binding in all sections it will
do good. 1t will pe the beginning of plan
that will ultimately result in gaining for every
voter his constitutional right to participate in
all elections. A set of men will be sent to Con-
gress who will see that honest elections are
held for all officers. from the Governor down to
the Coroner.
"As to the boycott spoken OF by Governor
Gordon, the Charleston merchant and other
Southern men don't give much heed to 1t.
FEW TO UNDERTAKE IT.
1.-THE merchants of the South could not boy.
colt the North if they so desired. and am sure
there are but few who will undertake such
foolish plan. However, If they can frighten
Congress to have this important piece of legls-
lation unpassed, they will be sure to do it.
There are thousands of white men who vote
the Democratic ticket in the South who would
be glad to see this bill passed with the proviso
left out. Unless the Objectionable clause
spoken OF is left OUT, the bill had better die
partisan coloring. The Republican party now
in power can't afford to be Iimid about this
matter. 1t will take nothing more nor less
than firm, bold stand to show the South and
the country at large that Congress means to
guarantee TO all citizens their constitutional
rights whether they are white or black, Demo-
Gratis or Republicans Let Congress pass such
legislation as it thinks will be beneficial to the
citizen in the exercise of his rights. and let it
apply to all sections, be binding upon all par
ties, and the results will be good, whether the
present party is kept in power or not"
WHAT PITTSBURG WOULD LOSE.