The colored American., 1902-09-20

saw an dFJlCIC Dy MI. w. IL. JOHI-
sop of Louisville, KY, in the ColOred
s ,roarican recently, which struck my
ar,anriOn. He says, and it is true, that
the Negro is hampered by the fact that
his outward appearance marks his
sanarate class connection so obviously.
Stiu the door of advancement is not
closed. and those Negroes who are
earnestly battling against obstacles to
q larger life for the race, deserve
praise and encouragement.
II is with a view to offering them
certain degree of encouragement in
the shape of a new way of helping
themselves, that | desire to call your
attention to the balancing party me
tnod Of political action. The sugges-
lion is that the cOloreu people form a
political party of their own and cast
their vOles with a view to the ad-
yancement of Negro interests and es-
pecially to the abolition of Iynching
This does not mean that the Negro
party is to nominate Negro candidates
Il is perfectly plain that they are not
numerous enough to elect a ticket
against all others; but they can have
the help of various sections of theiI
white fellOwcitiZens if they will pick
and choose among the candidates put
in the fieId by the regular parties
Your opportunity lies in the fact that
in some States, including his own
State Of Kentucky the Republicans
and Democrats are so evenly balanced
that it does not take much to change
the majority one way or the other
Now if the Negroes will wait until
the two parties have nominated theiI
State tickets, then go over the two
LISTS and pick out the best man fol
each office, being careful to take a GOO
many Democrats as well as Republi
cans. and then nominate this selected
list as the ticket supported by the
cOIored men for their own interest
they might succeed in causing Lhe
election of those who are thus Ell
dOrSed- The result would be that
nose selected would be friendly Il
lhe Negroes. They would be more
friendly than their opponents. ever
Detorehand; that is the reason the
Negro convention would have end0rs
ed them. And then their having re-
celEed such effectuaI aid from the col
Ored voters would make them more
friendly than before. This would be
True OF Democrats as well as Republi-
cans. IL Is true that Democrats, on
general principles, are supposed to be
less friendly to the cOIored race than
republicans, but after all Democrats
nave no objection to the color of any
'oler so he votes for them. That is
uue even in Louisiana. And really
not That all there is to the friend
SHlp or a large section of the Other.
party?
this action were kept I'D. that
o. discriminating amongst the candi
ua'rS and electing the pro-Negro ele
.iehI 50 to speak, in 10th parties.
t. tn Ihe nominating conventions of
'O'u parties would make efforts TO
- 'uIe the endorsement of the balance
=. power party. That kind of men
"oIId be nominated by both parties,
"Hu when in office their official acts
%ouIu be influenced by the same con
HderatiOn.
IL is important LAT the endorsed
grDo. ,''rl'ales be taken from both of the
+. taI parties. If they are taken most
n nom one party then it will be about
s,si, &c same as though the Negroes all
5"n Culu WIN that party, as they have
uohe in the past.
,ba lhis policy were carried out. and
Irr aJutude of candidates toward
:, ,'-lHlllg were made a prominent test
houlu "oulu result in the enforcement of
Io-"s laws against lynching. OF course
III are laws against it now. bur
- Is not sufficient pubIic resent
rt Ieht TO enforce those laws IF sucn
So'tLIeht St'Lueht were created in the border
snr.IT states, it would surely