The Seattle Republican. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1???-1915, 1902-10-03
THE NEGRO AND REPUBLlcANlsM.
(San Francisco Outlook

! liz NEGRO AMI REPOBElCANISM
(San Francisco Outlook
There was time when nearly every
colored man that had vote could be
counted upon to cast the same for the
Republican party But he has been
fooled SO many times and got such lit
tie compensation for his loyalty that
this is all changed and an effort is
now required to keep him in line, and
it is surprising to note the number
who are so Indifferent as not to vote
and the argument and persuasion that
are necessary to make them take an
interest.
The recent action of the Alabama
Republicans in refusing to allow any
colored delegates to be seated in the
cOnvention-the fiat having gone forth
that the party must be kept a white
mans party-has had dampening in
fuence. and the fact that the same
has the endorsement of President
Roosevelt, and is the policy of the
administration, makes the blow one of
the hardest to combat by those who
would remain true to the Republican
party. This is the situation that stares
the cOlOred voter in the face. 1t is
no theory and there are many who
believe they can accomplish more by
leaving politics alone. We may be
mistaken, but we believe that this fact
will be demonstrated most conclusive
ly in the present state election, I'M
les the cOlOred citizen is given good
and strong recognition, and is made
to feel that he has an influence among
his own people and that the same
must count for something. Colored
men must be employed to tour the
state, and given a chance to do mis-
sionary work, which no one can do as
effectively.
The press has an influence, and it
is hardly fair to expect it to always
WELD the same for Republican sue
cess and never receive any considera-
ton from either the state central COM
mittee or the county central commit
tee. While the daily papers are strong
and influential, Negro paper that
has the confidence Of it's readers is
far more potential for securing results.
There is bond Of sympathy between
the editor and his patrons and they
understand each other better. There
are many candidates and political
speakers who, when addressing a col
ored audience, dwell upon Lincoln and
the fact that 1--WE freed you," and if
they only knew it they are just driving
away votes by that kind of talk. The
Negro may be supersensitive, but he
feels that he is an American citizen,
and that he paid for the privilege of
being the same in sweat and blood.
and he does not like to be called
boy" a mistake of many speakers.
No, the Negro is tired of being fed
on dead issues, and as he is getting
into the light the important ques-
lions of a campaign appeal to him
the same as to any other class of
citizens. When they are for his bet
terment he will vote for the party
that champions them, and vice versa.
This should be thoroughly understood,
and so should the false position of
some of the wouId-be leaders who
claim to control the Negro vote and
assume to deliver the same for a few
dollars.
This is going to be hotly contested
campaign, and we are writing serious
ly, and we may have given utterance
to thought that will bear noting.
The Republican party Of this state
can take the words of the brother
down in California as a lecture to
themselves for a similar state of af-
fairs exists throughout this state so
far as the Republicans are concerned,
and one of these days there is going
to be a grand reckoning.