The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1902-10-24
Tho Same ola NIixt,,re

Capt. John G.. Capers. United
States district attorney for this State
and supposed to be the administra-
lions referee In party affairs down
here, has given to the press his views
upon the elimination OF the negro
from the Republican party, Il proposi-
tion which has caused more discussion
among the Democrats than IL has
gained support among the Republi-
cans. is not at all surprising that
Capt. Capcrs' vcws agree pretty well
| with the expressions made a few days
ago by the president to delegation
OF darkcy diyincs who called at the
temporary White House but did not
dine there. Capt. Capcrs is quoted as
saying:
The organization and operation OF
political parties upon purely racial
classification is, TO my mind, wholly
inconsistent with the spirit OF our gov
crnment, requiring, as our government
does, well defined duties and RESPONSE
biliticS from all it's citizens. In tfe 1
exercise of citizenship when .se6fle nc
ikro asserts right and demonstrates
tiia6> 1T rests upon Intelligence and
character rather than upon race pre-
judicc,or fancicd and uncarncd distinc-
tion, his rights should be respected as
an American citizen, regardless Of his
color. In politics the negro's trouble
In the south comes In a large measure
from the advice he receives from his
northern colorcd brother, who ruins
the effect of Il protest against white
mans party In the south by a practi. |
cal demand for a black mans party.
There is no good reason why the Re
publican party in the south should
be all white, and there is every reason
why 1t should not be all black.
The Columbia State, In comment
ing on the above says that some white
men want to hold federal offices under
Republican administrations is doubtless
reason enough why the Republican
party in the south should not be all
black And Judging from recent
events these white men do not desire
to make the party all whitcn so long
as the blacks consent to let them run
the machine. The only negroes they
would eliminate from the organiza-
tiona are those ambitious darkcyS who
do not submit to being Supplantcd by |
recent converts and their new allies
among the old timers. If it were nol
plain before, 1T Is now since Capt |
Capcrs' pronollncemcnt, following so
closely upon that OF President Roosc-
yelt, that the new regime in southern
Republican circles is not to differ
greatly from the old. The negro IS still
to be an asset If not a factor. His
rights" as an American citizen and
the injustice Of race discrimination
are to be dwclt upon as OF old. All of
this has been the oratorcal stock I'm
trade Of northern lirceatcrs Rcpubli-
can leaders and southern scalawags
for many a day. But the fact remains
as a cause for qualification that the
southern white men or respectable
birth and respected parcntagc who
have descended to consort with the
negro have been few. Nor do we be.
live the number will increase, even
II there appears an occasional re-
progression which Is most conspicuous
because Of the honor that has attach
cd to tho names borne by the new
champions and colleagues Of 'the
brother in black" That there Is to,
be no effort to reorganize the Republic
can party In the southern States up
on lines that would altogether alter
the character Of It's leadership, mem.
bership, aims and purposes is, to bo: :Te-
grcttcd. A start seemed to haYo.bcen
made In Alabama and North Carolina
and there were hopes that 1t might,
be done In South Carolina. but it Is
plain now that this Is MOTTO be. 10
succeed even so far as to- obtain for
tho, State organizations recognition