The new age. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1902-190?, 1902-06-13
UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE
FALL.

There is one interest weakness of
the Negro which in this goth century
marks an era of his great progression,
which should be eliminated, and that
is the lack of confidence, the lack
of feeling of power within ourselves. 1t
is a surprising fact that few of the
statistical politicians of our country re-
alize or seriously comprehend and con-
slider, and that is that the Negro in
close presidential contest in our
country can absolutely dictate the pol
itics of our nation-i.e.. determine the
election of president. The Negro vot-
ers hold the balance of power in In
diana. Maryland, West Virginia, ILL
nois and few other states which we
might mention. Why is it, then, the
question naturally occurs that the Ne
gro does not receive more recognition
as commensurate with his power The
answer, in our opinion, is due to two
things. first, the lack of the feeling of
power of confidence in his own
strength; second. because of the in
ternal jealousies. the dissensions
which operate against the Negroes act
/ ing as an organized unit-a power. In
Dakota it is rather ludricous yet a
serious phase of politics.. e, to watch
the manipulations of the political con
ventions in those states-each the
democratic or populist and republi-
cans want to hold their conventions
each later than the other, because II
one dominates a Norwegian or Scan
dinavian for governor or any other
state office, the other conventions will
have to do likewise, because the Scan
dinavians have great self pride AMI will
vote regardless of the ticket for their
race man. They have the power of
concentrating in their own interests.
This fact was wildly illustrated
few years ago in the State of South
Dakota, when AMY Lee was nom-
mated by the populists and an Ameri-
can nominated against him, all of the
rest of the remainder of the republican
ticket was elected by big majorities, in
the thousands and he was elected up
on the opposing ticket by a large plu-
rality. The same thing occurred in
Minnesota, with John Lind, so in those
states it has become a political axiom
that if one party dominates Scandi-
navian for office, the other must do
likewise if he wishes to stand any
chance for success. Suppose the col
ored voters of Indiana or West Virgin
la were the same way, suppose all Of
the negro voters instead of wanting to
be leaders would unitedly support those
or some who had an opportunity TO
force to the front, instead of their pow
er being nullified by internal jealousies
and dissensions. In our own state, the
treasure state of Montana, the color
ed voters in a close contest or almost
in any year can come very near de-
termining the result of the political
contests of this state. Concentrated
absolutely as a unuit they can abso
lutely dictate to either party and car
help such party to which they throw
their support to the extent that in the
distribution of the patronage of the
offices they will be remunerated. Seq
, regated, split up into little factions
each led by their fractional warrior
We will continue to plough the same ole
!, furrow and receive recognition from
no source. The intelligent colored vot
ers of this state, scattered all ovel
the state, should look to the import
ance of our own political power. lie
, us concentrate our strength and in
r stead of being given a few janitor
g ships here and there and in the legis
s lature the intelligent colored men O
It the state. acting as a unit, can deman,
II and receive something higher. 1t shall
e be the purpose of the New Age
a, while we are not here by any mean
IL for a purely political purpose, We
is as the higher type of citizenshi
lie ship finds it's expression in the inter
'e est of every legal voters expression c
Il the regard which he manifests in tn
lg welfare of his municipality and hi
re state. to awaken the colored voters c
lg this state to the realization of the fac
re that as unit we can be most potter
n. facor in the political affairs of thi
state. in the distribution of the patroi
-, age and We are going to endeavor I
=, concentrate the efforts of our poop
- and our resources. Are you with us
er
IN The RACE PROBLEM.