The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-27
ARE PLAYING WITH FIRE
DEMOCRATS WHO HOPE TO DIVERT
THE AFRO-AyERECAN LEAGUE.
An Organization Formed for the Pro-
motion of the Welfare OF the
CoIored Race.

The National Afro-American Press AS
ISOLATION will hold a session in this city
to-day, and tomorrow the regular session
of the National Afro-American League will
begin The Press Association will meet in
Bethel A. NJ. L. Church. The Chicago Post
says of the meeting:
Both the Republican and Democratic
national committees are keeping a close
watch on the Afro-American League, which
viii hold its annual convention at Indian
apolis next week. 1t is an open secret that
the Democratic managers are back of a
scheme to have Bryan indorsed by the
league and to capture the Republican vote
from the Republicans, and a lively fight
will result.
mo effort has been spared to create
dissatisfaction among the colored leaders
who have heretofore supported the Re-
publican party. The principal argument
used by the mischief breeders. is that
whereas the Republicans are under great
obligations to the colored voters of the
North for their support, the party in power
gives most of the patronage to Southern
negroes. The conclusion drawn is that If
the colored brother is to reap any political
advantage he must divide his support be-
tween the two parties and show the Re
pubi1canS they have no mortgage on the
colored vote. In the end, of course, the
Democrats hope TO profit by the anticipated
division
Republican managers take different
-" " liz aColACAs oOAAiC q lLtJ lODC
the Afro-American League will indorse
Bryan and thereby so anger the many
southern whites that they will vote for
Mckinley. They argue that the South is
naturally in favor OF sound money, pro-
lection and expansion, and would nave
voted the Republican ticket in the past
had the fear of negro domination not in
tervened. Other party leaders scout the
Idea OF the colored race voting anything
but the Republican ticket, and predict the
sensible members of the league will not
De influenced by self-seeking politicians
If the effort made by the Democrats to
capture the Indianapolis colored conven-
ton Is successful and Bryan is Endorsed
there that moment all cause for the race
contention in the South will be a thing of
The past said Vice Chairman Henry G..
Payne at Republican headquarters to-day.
"A majority OF the white voters of the
South being, as we believe, in favor of
protection. sound money and expansion,
will assert themselves. The supremacy of
the Democratic party in the South will be
threatened Immediately by a division, not
on the color line. but on the principles
which divide the Democratic and Repub-
hcan parties in the Nation. The Demo
Gratis In manipulating this scheme are
Captain New, committeeman from In
diana. said: 1T is not the intention or de-
SIRE of the Republicans to have the Afro
American League diverted In the least de-
gree from Its original purpose. The league
was formed and fosterd by colored people
as an agency for the promotion OF the well
fare OF the race and was supposed to be
nonpoitical and nonsectarian. IT is entire.
~ foreign TO this purpose to nave the
league indorse any administration or party
On the other hand, we do not propose Ia
Rave a few r~enegades and scalawags
bought with Democratic money make a
political machine out OF the organization
which never was designed for such an oh.
1sct- There are some colored men, as there
are some white men, who think more OF
themselves than of their race. and we dr
rot want the interests and welfare of q
people jeopardized by the action OF a linn.
/. tied number OF self-seeking individuals"
Chicago Will send both Democratic an6
Republican delegates to the convention
and their opinion is that strict party line:
will be drawn.