The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-03
A NEW MOVEMENT IN SOUTHERN
POLITICS.

One of the most astonishing political
movements of the day is the attempt or
white Republicans in some Of the South
ern States to reorganize the party on ex-
clusively white lines. From Northern
point Of view this seems inconsistent and
unjust, but looking at 1t from Southern
point of view, and with reference to ulti-
mate results. 1t may be the best thing
that could happen. If 1t should result final
ly in dividing the colored vote and oblit-
Grating the color line in Southern politics
Ii would certainly be a good thing for the
colored race and for the country. 1t is
probable that when the colored people are
allowed to vote and have their votes
counted. as they should be. large ma
jority OF them will vote with the Republic
an party, but II would be better for all con-
cerned IL enough of them In the South
would vote with the Democratic party to
put a stop to the claim that it Is the only
exclusively white mans party and to
the charge that Republican success means
negro domination.
AS far as can be judged at this distance
the object OF the new movement is to
organize the Republican party in the South
new lines, placing its leadership and
control in the hands Of white Republic
ans, thus. for the present at least, elimi-
mating the color line from Southern poll
tics and appealing to the people for sup
port on broad national issues. The move
ment seems to have gained considerable
Roadway in Alabama, where Republican
conventions were held in many of the coun-
ties on Saturday last to elect delegates for
state convention to be held in Birming
ham on the 18th inst. 1t is understood
in advance that this convention will nomi-
nate a full state ticket. composed Of men
of high standing in business and social cir
cles. The leaders of the movement claim
that as the Democrats have disfranchised
all but few thousands of the negroes in
the State they can no longer stigmatize
the Republican party as 'nigger party"
especially when 1t comes before the people
led and differed by white men and with a
state ticket composed exclusively Of white
men of high standing. Some of the county
| conventions of last Saturday are said to
have been the largest ever held in the
| State, and the state convention of the 18th
| is expected to make a new departure in
Alabama politics. That intelligent negroes
do not regard the movement as unfriendly
| to their interests is shown by a statement
| of H. ". Corbin, of Decatur, Ala. and the
leading colored Republican of the State.
Referring to the attitude of the colored
Republicans in not sending delegates to
the recent county conventions. he says:
There was agreed action by the colored
| Republicans of the State with respect to
| the party conventions, but the few hun
dreds who have been registered refrained
| from all participation therein, thereby CIV
| ing amplitude Of opportunity to build up a
Republican party under conditions which
| appear to many white Republicans most
promising and which would present the
| least embarrassment to those who have
| hitherto voted with the Democracy on ac-
| count Of racial conditions while differing
with their party upon state and general
| questions. Besides. it is generally admitted
\ that popular government is at present a
| nullity in the State and 1t Is contended
| that the situation is due to a past pres
| ent fear of negro domination. Therefore,
| If the voluntary disfranchisement of the
| few remaining colored electors will contrib
| of civil liberty, l can conceive of no nobler
sacrifice or more imperative duty.
From this it would appear that intelli-
| gent colored Republicans of Alabama who
| are able to meet the requirements Of the
DISTINGUISHING act are willing. temporarily
at least, to disfranchise themselves by
taking back seats and giving the white
| Republicans free hand in an attempt to
reorganize the party on basis that will
| entitle 1t to be called a white mans party
as much as the Democratic party. With the
Republican party once organized and es-
tablished on that basis and appealing to
the people on national issues. it will soon
contain so large proportion of the white
voters Of the State that the cry of negro
domination" will cease to have any weight
against it. The Alabama movement is like
| ly to spread to other Southern States