The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-10-12
ALMOST INDEPENDENT.
John n. Brown Criticises the Republica
Party Severely.

John II. Brown Criticises the Republican
Party Severely
Col. John M. Brown made a rather
sensational speech Mt Hamilton hall last
night in which he advocated new
political organization by colorsd people
and gave notice that he would continue
his fight on Ingalls,.
1t was 4 colored Republican meeting
and the hall was nearly full when the
chairman raped for order, but when the
speaker, Geo. w. Jones Of Hill City had
finished his speech fully half the crowd
had disappeared
Mr. Jones took occasion to defend OK
Senator ingalls, in his speech: when
they talk about Mr.. Ingalls, he said,
''they forget to tell all he said He said
that the condition of the black people
would never be what 1t should be until
every one of them could cast a fair
ballot and have it counted He said that
the south is on a brink of a volcano and
that the colored race has suffered as no
people have suffered for % years. Mr..
ingalls, is your friend"
W hen Col. Brown was introduced he
let the audience know that he has not
not given up his fight on Ingalls,
"A great many OF my friends he said,
s'think il strange that / should enter the
campaign at this late day. l have taken
no dart in the fall campaign so far and i
have had good reason made mp my
mind when / retired from the office of
county clerk to keep-Out of politics.
have been in active politics for % years
and | have found political life not the
best to live.
1T has been said by some that I have
become a STUN bling block IN the way of
my race and that l have been put for
ward too much. So l have thought that
if you were not willing l should instruct
you could instruct your boys in farm
ing and lead them away from the crap
tables of the city.
There is a great man in this state and
a great deal has been said about what l
said of him. I admit l handled him
without gloves. l handled him like /
used to a school boy. And now my
friends let me say to YOU who have criti-
cized my action that though l am a par
tisan l reserve the right to be a man.
The people are reading and studying
and that mayis position as a leader will
be lost.
people have inquired of me why | did
not answer his letter | will tell you why
did not answer the letter. l heard that
he was not a candidate for United States
senator, but | will answer him soon
enough, and when he is candidate /
will get after him like hawk was after
my chickens today. have not forgotten
him.
1T has been said that I have gone to
the POpulists. but l am still a Republi-
can. 1 felt like retiring because the pO-
lltlcAl atmosphere IS so dlStur bed
Things are changing, and the people are
thinking. The political party which
lives long now must live fast and
live we'll People have learned
to think more of principles than
of party. and while l am Republican l
have the right of every other American
citizen to vote and talk as l please.
Il will work for the success of the Re
publican party, but / am ready to admit
that there are good men in all parties
and | have nothing to say against the
men Of any party. The fight in Kansas
is between the Populists and RepubIi-
cans. Eastern people blame the Popu-
lists and are afraid Of them, whether
justly or not, and that fact viii make
hard times for us if the Popufists win.
They cannot elect president in 1896.
You have voted the Republican tick
ct for thirty years, and you Will vote it
again, but things are not now
like they used to be and the coIored peo-
pie are divided They Will no longer be
satisfied with talk about the war If you
make no demands and accept what is Of
fered you will never be anything more
than common labOrers. You must learn
to stand together. regardless of politics,
like stone wall Demand what is right
and hold out until you get it The col
ored politician is cringiug at the feet of
the white leaders of the party. The Re-
publican party is progressing, but the
leaders are neglecting the black race.
Let the colored people organize through
out the state and be ready in 1896 to
tread the wine press alone if necessary.
w hat would become of the Republican
party If you do tread the wine press
alone? If you do that the colored peo-
pie will be no longer neglected"