The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-29
REPUBLICANS IN THE SOUTH.
Lily White Machine Prevents the
Growth of The Party.
washington Post. J

To the Editor: The robust Repub-
licanism being developed by Presi-
dent Roosevelt is the most distinct
and refreshing political sign since the
days of Lincoln. Sumner, Conkling,
Blaine and Logan. StalWartiSm in
politics has always, and properly So
too, carried with it a halo of glory
and light worthy of the admiration OF
all followers of political thought. Bold
fighting to the finish without apology,
nor resort to subrosa methods, chal-
lenges admiration, inspires confidence,
and, even in defeat. keeps the embers
of party contention alive, after the
periodical strifes to which every con-
stitutional government is subject. In
the Southern States palliative methods
III Republican policies have not only
brought no additional resource to the
party, but actually weakened the par
ty We have only to go back to the
appointment of a Democrat, Acker-
man, by Grant as Attorney General
to observe that Georgia has scarcely
voted for a Republican Congressman
since that time. Since Governor
Alcorn employed temporizing methods
in Mississippi that State has been
solidly Democratic. The purchase of
no Individual with office, however
well disposed and brainy he may
the Republican party III the South.
This brings us down to the true
facts that the negro is the only ma
tural Republican in the South. This
is no paradoXical assertion, nor does
it need to be proven to people who
have kept in touch with Southern
politics. With the elimination of the
civil war adventures, except the ne
groes, there has not been a respecta-
J., l. 70, fol u
lican party in the Southern States,
possibly barring North Carolina and
Tennessee. In these two States q
few Republicans have been allowed to
win Congressional seats, but even this
slender hold has been Slackened
through a mistaken idea of snubbing
moss back Republicans at the expense
Of fair, promising Democrats, who
cannot stand negroes while adopting
Republicanism and enjoying office.
This spasmodic attempt to float a
Lily White machine (not for party
principle) has significantly failed for
lack of confidence to garner single
Congressman from Texas, Alabama,
or Louisiana. The negro is Republic
can FROM principle, and his only in
heritance is Repubhcanism. The
party is responsible for his citizen
ship, and it is one of the principles
winch go TO make up the party, Inat
he should reap the benefits conferred
by citizenship. Therefore, people who
cannot suffer the negro as Il citizen
should stay over by themselves, and
not go to another party in order to
Gust any of its followers of their
rights. The South, like the rest of
the country, has had it's share in all
the political heresies, free trade, free
silver, etc, but alone it has dominated
in the field of Acknowledgement of its
tciZens through chicanery and force.
The Democratic party having par
TALLY accomplished the disfranchse-
ment of the negro in the South, sure
ly it is not just that the Republicans
should say that he should not be al
lowed to commune in the party
councils nor hold whatever office of
which he is capable without creating
unnecessary ntagonism-there are
many such officers in the South
| Healthy Republicanism will grow in
| the South when it becomes fixed in
| the minds of those who would joir
| the party that they must adopt the
principles in their entirety. and not
simply affect to be national Republi-
| cans and State Democrats.
This is a big nation and there are
| two big parties, and, furthermore, nc
man is big enough to adhere to the
| principles of both parties. Such
| charlatanry eXcites only contempt
A. V. DOCKERY.