The colored American., 1902-10-25
THE NEGRO IN THE CAMPAIGN

We hear a great deal of talk now-a-
lays about the colored citizens dividing
heir votes between the two great parties
n American politics. Indeed, many
PERSONS who are supposed to be leaders
advise this course. maintaining that fire
Negroes devotion to the Republican par
has been the means of his undoing
Ne will admit that the Republican par
y of to-day is not the Republican nartv
If quarter of century ago, and that
he present organization is Indifferent to
he interests of our race, but it must be
remembered that political parties are
rot benevolent societies, and to be sue
,essful must be operated on business
rinciples. Whatever is necessary to
heir success, that they no; NOTHING
more, nothing less. Party managers do
,Ot make campaign issues. They me #
he issues that are made, and any class
If people who do not understand these
acts are not prepared to act intelligent
y in political matters.
There is no mistaking the fact that
here IS no political partv in the United
states to-day that is willing to risk any
hing in defense of the rights of colored
1t1ZenS. That is because it is not neces~
ary TO do so. The Democratic party
las always been opposed to the political
advancement of the cOlored people,
While the Republican party has general,
manifested a friendly disposition toward
hem, and it is reasonable to conclude
hat the friends of the race are in tn At
)arty.
Any division of our vote, or even talk
# division of our vote, at the present
ime is of doubtful exDediency. The
managers of the Democratic party have
lot offered any reasonable inducement
or us to join forces with that party,
md the advice of certain would-be race
eaders, who blow hot and cold in the
iame breath, that we go over to the
Democratic party, out of spite, has
'aused the Republican party to grow
ukeWarm towards us without our gain
NO any friends among the Democrats.
The threat of certain WOuld-be race
eader5 to take the colored voters ont
If the Republican party has done I'M
old mischief to our cause in this cOun-
ry. 1t has turned the party machine
nd the party organizers against us, and
eft us almost friendless in the political
world. Every threat of the Negro 10
ave the Republican party has caused
hat partv to seek for allies from 9th II
sources, and the result is the Negro
S losing political standing all the time
In order to be successful in politics it
s necessar'- tn exercise political sense.
The Democratic party is essentially
white mans party. The Republican
Oarty is the party of the people ire
'pective of race or color. 1t will re-
main so unless the unwisdom of the Ne
gro makes it white mans party.
Sop advising and stop threatening to
leave the party, and go to work for the
success of the whole ticket at the elec-
tions in November. Whatever measure
YOU want Congress to enact make ther'
issues in the present campaign. -
them be discussed ''~On the roStrum, and
vote for them at the polls.
Stand by the Republican party. 1t is
your old friend. friend that stood by
YOU IL the hour of need. Stand by
Theodore Roosevelt the neerless leader.
who always stands up for the rights of
he people Vote the Republican ticket
md see to it that your ne1ghbor does
he cao,a Vote vote.