Telegram-herald., 1890-07-18
OFFICIAL PAPER OF THE CITY.
WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT 1T?

With an impudence unparalleled,
even N Democratic paper, the New
aygo Tribune asks: :
IF the Republican party, with an al
most undisputed sway OF quarter OF a
century's control Of the country, has
been unable GO give and protect the
eOlored man IN his rights down South.
10 y time 10 inquire just how long that
party wants To complete the work.
AS we'll might the unpunished thief
ask, ''If society can not protect itself
against thieves, why make any laws TO
punish them?'
Why does the colored man need any
especial protection IN his rights down
South? Why are not ms rights respect
ed there "a well as in the North Why
IS he not allowed to cast his ballot with
no one 10 mOlest or make him afraid2
Why can he not so away from the polls
with perfect confidence that his vote
will DC counted, even if it does affect
the result? Simply because the Demo-
crats OF the South have willed 1t other
wise. Simply because such sycophan-
tie, dlrt-eatlng, lIck-spittIe papers IN the
North. as the Newaygo Tribune, and its
supporters, will close their eyes to
fraud, violence and murder for polIti-
cal advantage.
The Tribune by asking such question
exactly defines its position. 1t admits
that the colored man has not protection
IN MS rights down South. 10 admits
that the Republican party has been try
ing TO extend TO him the same protec-
ton that other American citizens en-
10y. 1t admits that the Democratic
party OF the South has nullified those
rights and that the Democratic party of
the North has stood by consenting. 1t
admits that neither branch of the DEM
ocratc party viii lift hand 70 protect
the c0lored man in his rights down
south. All these admissions are in
VOWED IN that question, If we are to
suppose that It was framed and asked
with the ordinary intelligence of a hu-
man being.
Political history - indeed repeating
itself. Before the war. the South was
determined to interpret the constitution
o. suit It's own convenience and to act
accordingly. The Democratic party of
the North sssentcd. When the clash
came. a Democratic President found no
way TO coerce a state. A Democratic
cabinet took sides with tho traitors.
Democratic members of Congress
Joined hands with the shareholders IN
rebellion. Democratic papers st the
North said to tae Republican party
what are you going to do about it?'
The leading Democratic paper in this
state, the Detroit Fee Press threatened
a FIRE in the rear1' The Republican
party, however, showed the world what
It could do about it.
The war closed. The Southern States
returned 70 their allegiance and ac-
cepted the results of the wsr-appar.
emily. But their return, their renewed
allegiance. their acceptance Of the re-
suits of the war was n LIE. The Re
publican party trusted the Democratic
South and got left. Ku Klux outrages,
shotguns. Winchester rides, double
barreled ballot-boxes, tissue ballots aud
fraudulsnt returns 6gured prominently
in southern elections. Tae Democratic
partv Of the North smut ia eyes and
said "Whst ne cannot see, We cannot
believe" The south vas made "sold.' -
And now. gaming boldness from I'M
puuity. the Democratic party again
asks; "Whst are you going 70 do
sbout itr'
Yes. the Republican party has been a
quarter of a century try ylng 70 give and
protect the coi0red man ia bis rights
down south. and a nobier purpose Of
political acton never existed But. by
means IT the recul a. election tactics
Iractced n the south, The lower House
ct Congress vas fer long time IN the
hands Of Democracy and al progress
Vss stopped. Once again a Republican
Administration q in power, ant e i
doesu't 6nd something - "do About
6. e VII be iraitor - ia partv. its
country and Cd the cause oE Justice and
humanity.