The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-28
Independence Needed.

By being an 1nuepenuent III pohtiSs and voting only for the best men and measures. the negro will win for himself the recognition of every political party and the respect of all right thinking men in every section of the country, and will materially help in solving the race prob- lem by breaking up the solid democratic south and the solid republican north.
 "The colored people in this country are at a crisis in their history. They are disfranchised in 12 states in the Union. The party that saved the ITnion and lib berated the slaves has practically abandoned it's black allies and its leaders have given public ap- proyal to the disfranchisement of the race by the southern states and have expressed a determination to eliminate the black man from politics. For 40 years the colored man has voted solid ly for one and the same party and by so doing he has won the contempt Of that party and the hatred of the sec ond strongest political party in the country; and having been deserted oy the republicans he cannot reasonably expect the democrats to receive him with open arms until large majority of the race at least let it be under stood that they will not always wore the republican ticket.
 Votes Divided.
 "The Jews and the Irishmen divide th cir votes among the various political Darties of the country and in this way have secured justice and proper recog- milton at the hands of these parties. Why should not the negro do the samt' thing? Many years ago George w. Cable, one of the truest white friends the race has ever had. in addressing an audience of colored people, said: DO not let any political party feel thai they are always sure of your vote, nor let any political party feel that they can never get your vote.'
 pr. Waldron then continued:
 "I always have and always shall advise that the colored people of Amer lea be independent In politics, and that they vote for the measures, candidates and party which will best serve their interests and those of their country. We have been crying to God Almighty for 40 years for deliverance from op- pression in this land of our freedom. He says to us as He said to Moses, What is that in thy hand? God has given the race the ballot; now He says to us. use 1t for your own defense and advancement. And until we heed the teaching of the text we may expect to he ignored, illtreated and exploited by political parties and their leaders.
 Crisis for Negro.
 "As people we are too prone to depend upon God to deliver us by some miraculous method. God never works n miracle where He can accomplish Ills end without it. He said to the grea. lawgiver when He had the Jews face to face with a crisis in their history. Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward. And to the negro in his cries the same answer Is given, Go forward use, the means in your power and God will do for you that which YOU cannot. It is well for the colored man to remember that it is not a str to be a democrat, nor is it an act of righteousness to vote the republican ticket
 We advise our people to be inde- pendent in politics and to cast thair votes where they will count the most in defeating the party which has proven itself to be a false friend
 w. s.