The sun., 1901-01-08
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1901.
CLAIMS OF coLoREp VOTERS.

TUESDAY, JANUARY b, 1871.
-----------,------ ---------------- -
CLAIMS OF COLORED VOTERS.
A letter from ''colored voter" which
we print elsewhere in this paper, tells its
own story, and doubtless represents a
current feeling among colored Kepubli-
cans. The complaint about the non
recognition Of the colored voters is Il just
one. We take it that they are entitled
to such recognition as their number, intel
ligenee and capacity for public service
warrants. OF the particular case com
planned Of, We are informed that the APP
plication OF the colored man for appoint
ment on the police force was not received
in time-that the appointments to the
vacancies caused by removals had been
made before the application reached the
police commission. Discussing this ques-
tion anent the factional division of the
Republican party, it is evident that par
ties in power have not been as mindful
of the colored voters as their faithful SER
vices of right demanded. The colored
vote considering where it is cast and the
results of primary elections in those dis
tricts, muy reasonably be credited with
having decided every recent election of
that character. 1t is only just that those
who profit by such services should recog-
nize these voters to the full extent of
their deserts.
There are, however, other things in this
letter which demand attention. We
know this correspondent to be an intel
ligent man and a good Republican. When
he talks about the colored voters leaving
the Republican party, Or Withholding
their votes in revenge for real or fancied
Sights, he is advising an evil thing. We
are sure that upon serious thought about
it he will concede that much. The bene
fit of this or that political partys control
is not solely to. the Office holders or place
getters. They are only few in number
The great benefits are to the masses OF
the people, coming to them through the
application of right principles and prac-
tical methods to legislation and admins
trhtion. This has been forcefully illus
trated in the last four years in the gen
eral prosperity of the country. Ii mas
been said by Democrats, we are not
ready either to accept or reject it, that
Cleveland appointed more colorcG men
to office than Mckinley. But did that
fact recompense the great mass of "olored
people for the hardships and suffering
they endured because of the Cleveland
panic! Again it is generally understood
that the success of the Democratic party
of this State at the last election would
have resulted in an attempt upon the
part Of the Democrats TO have eliminated
the colored vote Of this State from all
future elections. 1t is true, rs our cor
respondent well knows, that this has been
the cause of all the political troubles
that have afflicted this State-the Demo.
cratic attempt to disfranchisc the cOlored
voters. Practically that was done. The
delinquent tax law was made for that
purpose, its application did not demanC
thnt only colored voters be disfranchised
1t was easier to attain the desired result
by indiscrminate disfranchsement of Re
pubiicans, for with the defeat of the Re
publicans at the election the negro wa!
practically bowled out of politics, Al
nothing in the Democratic scheme woul,
or was intended to benefit him.
1t is also true that in the making of TIL
new constitution an effort was made t
reinact as much as possible Of the old ia.
law and this was aimed ut the Negro
j is no less true therefore that whateve
Of political right or freedom the negr
has in Delaware is as much the fruit o
Republican political effort as the like ma
tional benefits are. The negro has absc
lutely nothing to hope for from the Demo
Gratis.
1t would therefore be the most III
wise policy possible for the colorcd pcopl
TO avcnge the disappointment of til
few colored men who may aspire for plac
and position, and fail, by reprisal
against the Republican party. Tha
would be injuring the many for no ber
eiit 10 the few. While we agree wit
our correspondent in pressing the claim
OF colored Republican voters for part
recognition, we cannot agree With Iii
proposed remedy for the Ills they suffe
Tie complete enfranchisement of I'll
negro as an American citizen must !
worked out on higher planes than he pr
poses.
DIRECT VOTE FOR SENATORS