Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-09-09
MAKE Il { soUlRM.


support the Republican administra-
ton, right or wrong, toward Missis-
sippi just now lie really amusing.
Throughout the campaign in this
state for the nomination by the DEM
ocrats of a candidate for Governor,
these great organt Of the Republican
machine have been bitter Ia their
de~nunclation OF Major Vardaman, and
assisted the President in every posi-
BILE way in bis ~endeavors to prevent
Major Vardaman's nomination. Now
that the people of Mississippi have
shown their determination to speak
for themselves rather than bow to the
dictates Of this outside ~iniuende,
there is a general cry going up that
the state has stepped backward, even
to the days of slavery and Major
Vardaman is denounced as a vicious,
desperate character that will bring all
manner Of disgrace to his state aid
people.
II there be those in this state who
have been undecided as to wisdom Of
the action taken in the primary by a
majority of the voters, the attitude Of
these strikers for Roosevelt ought to
disabuse their minds from furthur
doubt. It IS always safe to assume
that when the great organs of the
Republican machine take a decided
stand on any point In which the South
is interested, the right thing to do is
just the opposite to that advocated by
this Sonth mating, negro loving sne-
mics of a higher civilization.
The real facts in the premises are
that these strikers for Roosevelt and
social equality recognize that in the
position taken by Mississippi in this
decisive expression, means anything
but smooth sailing for then and the
plans they had mopped out for a con
tinued lease of power. whey recog-
nize in Major Vardaman a great leader
who will inspire renewed effort
throughout the South, and the forcing
forward of an issue whibh means the
Republicans no easy tax to combat,
They know throughout the whole
country there are immense numbers
of pure m~ineded, brave hearted men
who viii rejoice in a solution of the
ace question, and who are anxious
that it be solved right.
1t is none the less true, and the
Roosevelt contingent is wellaware o
it, that when this great question il
solved it will not be adjusted in accor-
dance with the demands of the acct
rental President of the United States
On the other hand it throws the greaI
machines of the trusts and boodlers o.
the Norte and East into spasms tC
realize that they are so committed
now as to leave them at a wonderful
disadvantage if there is an attemp.
made to stay the tide Of public senti'
ment throughout the country for tbs
proper solution Of this issue, which
promises to be the paramount CUES.
ton discussed next year in the nation.
al campaign.
While Roosevelt and bis striker
are cymmitted to social and politica
equality between the races, there is
growing demand everywhere for th'
speedy elimination of the negro from
any such consideration.
Governor Vardaman and Senator
Money and McLaurin, az well as ever
member of the lower house of con.
gress from this state, are standing
boldly to the front demanding 3 solu
ton OF this race problem. They vii
be supported not only by a soli'
representation from the South, bu
also By many grand men from othe
states, who realize that the farce har
reached it's limit, and the next session
OF congress is likely to be q nightmar
to these administration strikers,
The negro Is not permitted to vot
in the South as matters stand now
The power Of the Federal governmeu
is not strong enough to compel th
Southern peop.e to accept him as
political or social equal. Why the
should the Republican party longe
play with him IS toy, and oontinu
ously thrust him into the teeth Of
people who will never accept him o
social equality terms?
The negro does not desire 1t as
mass. He is content to enjoy th
protection of the Southern people, th
only people who treat him fairly. A
amass he knows this and Is satisfied
Now and then some blatant preache
tries to inspire bis to a hope for th
unattainable, but such an agitato
hourishes not long sven among hl
own race and kind. His efforts a.
revolutionary. and no n realize
this more than the ~contented Negro