New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-10
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE SOUTH.
DANeERs OF sHurr1Na Our NEaRo voTEI


DANGERS OF SHUTTING OUT NEGRO VOTERS.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Does the Republican party in the South
need reorganization. and how should this reorsani-
cation be effected? The answer to the first queS-
ton be briefly given by the monosyllaole. Yes;
the answer to the second involves serious difficulty
The prevalent, and. may say, the popular. the
DRY now is to eliminate the negro from pohtlcs
and to form a white mans Republican party.
In certain Southern States such movement has
been set foot. Some of the Republican leaders
and journals have become advocates of this meas
ure. To my mind the policy is fraught with great
danger. The white mans party may build a
machine which will enable it to secure delegates
to a national convention to nominate certain can
didates. Remember, nevertheless, that nomination
Is one thing election is another. II takes votes to
elect, and how many votes will this white mans
party" be able to cast in the Electoral College?
The predetermined gain of two Congress
men in the South might result in the loss of
score or more in the North. East and West. Is the
game worth the candle? My conclusions are based
upon the following premises:
The tic OF race is natural one. 1t is as strong
with the negroes as the whites If the negroes in
the Northern, Eastern and Western States see that
their kinsfolk at the South are barred from par
ticpating in the councils of the Republican party.
that the yoke of prejudice and exclusion is fastened
upon them there. is it unlikely that they will rise
In their wrath and resent IL? The Democrats could
do worse.
that the negro vote in many States and Congress
districts. North. East and West is largely deter
mining factor in elections. Should they solemnly
agree in revenge for this racial injustice, TO with
hold their ballots when most needed might not the
Republican party be made to whistle for IL?
MY IDEA of a reorganization Is to bring together
the better class of white and coored men. and urge
them to participate actively in party matters and
their influence for the best interests of the
party. How the ignorant. turbulent and Venal
element be weeded out. and an atmosphere of re-
spcctability reached. unless strong combine to
control? To accomplish a successful reorganization
this basis will require tact, liberation and pa
thence. The process will be slow one at the
start, but. judiciousy handled. will in time bring
10 the party stability and tone and strength
great parade is being made in the papers Of
the white mans Republican party in North Caro-
lima, Alabama and Louisiana. They have started
out with a bold flourish of trumpets as CONNER
cial Democracy did. Watch and wait for results.
| l hesitate not 10 say. after calm reflection and
careful study of the situation, hetter-a thousand
times better-to have Republican party in the
South than this proposed unsymmetrical organiza-
| ton. Such organization will result in agitation
! only. and in the end prove harmful to the great
| national party.
The Republican party In the early days of eman-
| cipation made the grave mistake OF comforting
/ universal suffrage upon the negro, when he was
| unfit to exercise it. commend to the leaders OF
that powerful party-the party that has saved the
| country and made it great-the suggestion that
they learn wisdom from experience,
Let them hesitate at this juncture and not go to
Of even tacitIy joining with those Southern Re;
| puhlicans who advocating tho universal denial
! have learned the duties OF citizenship. Education
| has lifted many of them out of the slough or lS,
norance in which they were formerly engulfed, ana
the lamp of intelligence now shines where darkness
| formerly reigned.
| II is not my desire to plead the cause Of the
| negro. 10 pose his champion my purpose has
been rather 20 point out the eccentrtcttes OF the
teachers who would deny to him those rights with
! which that party has invested him: and which ne
| cannot be forever suppressed. Even under the re-
! strictive provisions in the constitutions Or tne
Southern States the number OF those quallned 20
vote Is increasing every year. Whether trlat vote
will then to the Democrats or be retained oy tne
/ Republicans is the weighty matter TO be conSid-
cred II the Republicans relax their grasp now they
| may never be able to recover H.
| II may be we'll for those who shape the party
policy ponder carefully these practical reflections
| than myself. but am no new convert 70 the otG
doctrine OF Justice and of right, which this party
| cal weathercocks now loudest in its support and
''tunnbing each other to get there nrst (Snce
| the Presidents attitude has been aenneu W 49,
| doing all within their power 10 pump Ire into ~.
| II support of a means friendship for him tnen
/ claim o be friend OF our hOnored president
| proud to that I was one or the rev Wnlte
! men In Charleston who voted for mckinley ana
Roosevelt in 1900 an open ballot at tnat. voteS
! that great statesman. President Mckinley, was a
| safe man Nor have events deceived me Mr.
iSency by the unIindly taking off Of the good Nc
| KinIey has maRnified his office
I trust that another opportunity Will De arordsd
| me 70 cast an omen ballot for Theodore Roosevelt.
in 1904 as his own successor to the Presidency The
| firm stand which President Roosevelt has taken
| against drawing the color line IN politics means
/ grateful recollection A. I. hACFMAN'
| Charleston. s. c. Nov 1, 1907