The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1907-05-02
PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST.


, 1t Is stated on unquestionable au-
thority that President Roosevelt shed
tears few days ago when the black
Bishops called on him to discuss the
political situation, and, incidentally,
to Nominate chaplain for the soldier
boys. Seneca reminds us that patriot
ism and tears are the last refuge Of
hypocrites. Marcus Aurelius is not
quite as severe but he is assuredly as
pointed. He said that tear so home
when argument fails. If Theodore L.
really let few watery regrets trickle
down his cheeks, it is very good, and
BeAahank God that all his emotion is
mot lost While there's emotion there's
hope. These tears were directed par
ticularly at the soldiers, disgraced
and dishonored by their commander
in-chief, without a hearing, and, safe
~ may we say, without a cause; how
ever, they had something to do with
the political estrangement of the Ne
gro, whose independence excites Mr.
Roosevelt more than their love used
to delight him. Tears were shed,
there's no mistake on that point, and
upon them we rest, at least for the
present; not, however, without re-
mtnding his Majesty that il he really
-- has tears to shed reserve them for
another, and more convenient season.
In this connection 1t might be well
to consider the circumstances which
brought forth these tears.
b The American Negro occupies today
a position in the political complexity
or his own Party heretofore unoccu-
pied. Around him and about him the
battle within the Party, now hot and
heavy, Is being fought He is not only
the bone of contention; but he holds
the key to the result, and it becomes
him to wisely use his opportunity to
the end that he may advance his DO
nt1cal fortunes, and disabuse an opin-
Ion OF his political sagacity based I'D,
on his hebetude so plainly advertised
on more than one occasion. We have
faith that the new Negro, educated, in
dependent, self-conscious, is making
ready to assert himself in no uncer
tain manner, and serve q useful Dnr
pose, in that he is aligned with those
who have set out to save the Party
and promote sanity And sanity bad
~ needs promotion just at this time
not only within the Republican Part,
but throughout the country. Reform
ers are not always sensible rattle,
they are not always loaded down witt
too much common sense. That, how
ever, Is neither here nor there.
> President Roosevelt wants to nomi
pate Mr.. Taft for the Presidency; thu
2D1d Guard Of the Party, rich in gian
sons, wants to put forward JOSEPH
, Benson Foraker. The President i
ttmid. The Negro in the South doe
not vote, but he controls the state con
Yentions OF the Party. IN the Nortl
ne does not control the Party conven
ton put he votes, holding the balanc
. OF power in most of the pivotal states
B, The Negroes are convinced that tn
president has destroyed the Party ma
chinery In the Southern states merel,
TO get rid Of the influence Of the Negr
as a Republican in that section. Tn
deniably he has supDlanted him i,
ONCE and in the councils of the Part,
With Democrats, and a sper',= of Re
pnblicans nasty to name, and con
femptlble to think upon. Thu Negroe
have not forgotten this, and VIII,
shoad'tthey The Southern Negroes
~. e, ="