The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-08-07
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7.
SHOOTING FROM AMBUSH.

1t has been generally understood n
the assertion has never been denied.
that President Roosevelt's policy on
the negro question has been for the
purpose of Strengthening his party with
the negroes of those northern states
where they hold the balance Of power
between the white people of the two
political parties, especially in the states
OF the northwest. Mr.. Roosevelt.
though. carried the matter too far.
The republicans of these states did not
care how many negroes he appointed to
office in the south. That was all right;
but when he went to the length of at
tempting to establish social equality at
the north between the two races it vas
going too far and has done injury to his
party. The violent animosity toward
the negro which has Of late arisen
among the white people in several
northern states, especially in Indiana
and Illinois, is directly attributable to
the presidents social equality proclivi-
ties. This much harm has the presi-
dents policy done the negro. But the
results do not stop here. 1t is said that
recent events have caused many white
republicans in these two states to leave
the party. WelI-informed people say
that for every negro vote Mr.. Roose-
welt has gained he has lost several
white republican votes in Indiana and
Illinois.
Thu Washington Star, the organ of
published an interview with a man who,
it declares, is AN Indiana democrat Of
national prominence" and quotes him as
saying in part:
You would be surprised to know that
there is likelihood of the negro vote of
Indiana and Illinois. which has been
assured to the republicans by Roose-
velt's course, being offset by republic
can votes. That is, however, d fact
arising out of the existing race preju-
dice In those states.
n man can have failed to observe
the state of public sentiment against
the cOlOred race in Indiana and Illinois.
1t Is more pronounced in Indiana, but
is pad enough in Illinois. l am afraid
it is growing worse every day. and no
one knows where it will stop.
Now We are beginning to observe a
sentiment among the whites, IN the pO-
liticaI phase OF the situation. similar
to that of the sOutherners. The re-
publican party is being looked upon as
the party of the negro and is being de-
serted by white republicans who share
the race prejudice.
That feeling is especially noticeable
in the small towns and crops out in the
municipal elections. 1t is a question
how far that feeling will extend, but
it is growing and will have its weight
in future elections. The republican
managers, in order to recognize the ne
gro vote. place negro candidates on the
ticket for minor offices. n results
in a hue and cry from the democrats
that it is a negro ticket. and local pres
sure Is brought to bear TO keep men
from voting it who are known TO en-
terrain feeling on the race question.
My statement may be received with
incredulity in the north. But nothing
is impossible in a community where
the race feeling is so strong that a ca
terer from a neighboring town, en-
ployed to serve a banquet. IS forbidden
to bring his negro walters in for one
night and the walters are driven out of
town with actual violence"
The Star is a strong republican paper.
1t would not publish such an interview
unless it knew that the man who gave
it was one of prominence and respon-
sibiIity-
There is another phase of the negro
question which is causing disturbance
al tie north. and that is the negroes in
the navy. There are about five hun
dred OF them. The white men in the
navy are kicking against having 20
serve with them. Not long ago it was
reported that no more negroes would
be enlisted and those already in the
navy would be gotten rid OF gradually.
This report the department officially
denies
We published recently an address by
the leaders of the republican party in
Louisiana to their party men advising
them to withdraw from the republican
party because of the negroism the pres
ident had brought into it.
L looks as if Mr.. Roosevelt has put
his foot into it ana that his ~pandering
to the negroes. instead Of strengthen
ing HIS party. has greatly weakened it.
If present conditions continue a year
longer the democrats will win the next
presidential election, or lose it through
their own plumbers. They have the best
prospects for victory they have had in
many years. If they suffer defeat in