Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-16
Letter from n Sensible Negro.
TO he Eiiitor of he DispateA .

To he Editor of The Dispatch.
In your issue Of the 18th instant read
that Rev. G. B. W. Gordon voted the
Democratic ticket at the last State cleo
ton and tor this reason several of the
deacons of his church are down on him for
this treachery to his race" and tho
church hos reduced his salary. In my
opinion it Is more treachery to the race for
a set or class of men to allow such narrow
ness of spirit 10 possess them than for
one to vote as ne thinks and wills.
These men, l presumed, voted to suit
themselves, and if they were cocrced into
voting the Republican, Democratic, or
Prohibition ticket they did not exercise
their franchise. and if they allowed them
selves to be coerced into voting any ticket
like they desire to coerce Rev. Gordon TO
vote to suIt them. regardless of his judg-
ment in the matter, they commit more Of
q " treachery to his race" than he. There
is too much sheep-like voting among my
people. They too often go the way. q
leader goes. regardless of their own judg-
ment. Hence we find il that when one dsres
to vote to suit himself he is ostracised.
Now this kind Of spirit is not good for the
man, not good for the family. not good for
the city, not good for the State. not good
for the nation, ard not good for the race.
1t does more harm than good, and the
sooner many of the people learn it the bet
ter. ! ask: Is it treachery to his race for
q man to vote as he thinks bestI Is it
treachery TO bis race for man to vote to
to be coerced with yoting2 Is it
treachery to his race for man
to exercise his franchise in tho way
he thinks the best and highest interest
of his family, his community his race. and
his nation can be promoted? IL 1t treach-
cry to his race for "a man who thinks diff
ferently from another to vote rs he thinks
and because his voting is not for the same
candidates as the others? If these are
treacheries, then / welcome them. Would
that could hasten them. Because il is in
this freedom. this exercise of the fran
chlse as one desires, that is one Of the ele-
ments of the solution of the negro pro-
blem of this country. More freedom,
less coercion, let US have everywhere,
In nv opinion the sooner such men or class
of men, white or colored, cease generating
such narrowness of soul and allowing
others TO vote as they themselves have
voted, that is to suit themselves, it will be
better for the race, better for the State,
better for the South, better for the whole
nation. But when cOeecion comes from
either party-Republican Democratic. or
ProhibitiOn-or from any class ofmen, then
the community, the State. the country
will inevitably suffer. Each will be
like Ncsuvius generating lava that
may burst upon us at any time. The Rev.
Gordon voted TO suit himself and for what
he thought the best interest of the people
in his locality and for the best interest of
the people of the State; then he voted. in
my opinion, as every voter should vote.
and he who does not vote for what he
thinks the best interests of himself, his
family, his race, his people, his State, and
his country, doesn't vote as ho ought, and
is nothing more than an automaton. Ii
the Rev. Gordon's salary has been reduced
because he voted to suit himself&let
him remember that neither he nor dhy
other man of character need fear that be
will starye so long as the party with which
he affiliates exists. Let us have more men
of principle, more men who vote as they
think, more men who desire to break down
the barriers, and will break them down by
exercising their Wills more men who are
willing and ready TO sacrifice their policy
and from principle vote 10 break up this
sheep-like voting to the slaughter among
US. Yes, let US have more such men. who
dare vote as they think. Then it will be
better for the whole race. nation, locality,
and country, JAMES II. q. CHn.Es.