The Washington bee., 1908-10-31
ASKS COLORED MEN TO VOTE
FOR TAFT

Pleads With Race to Remain
Republican.
CENSURES BRYAN'S ADVISERS
Points Our Danger in Democratic
Demagogues Who Thrive on
Prejudice.
From the indianapolis, Indiana Star.
DIR. James Z. Shepard of North
Carolina. one of the most distinguish
ed colored men in the United States
and formerly superintendent of the
work among his race for the Inter
natianal Sunday School Association,
is in the city. In discussing the poll
tical situation he said:
This election means more to the
colored man than appears on the sur
face. | concede to every man the
right to cast his ballot as he thinks
best for himself. his family and his
country, but this should be done after
careful and mature thought and
should not be governed by mere sen
timent nor passion.
Il was opposed to the nomination
of William H. Taft prior to the ma
tional campaign and favored the NOM
ination of Vice President Fairbanks.
I regarded Mr.. Fairbanks as the most
logical candidate and representing
those views that would give the coun-
try the greatest rest. But a regular
national convention decided other
wise.
l am not a politician, nor do |
ever expect to be an oficeholder, but
| am interested in the welfare OF my
race and country. After a careful
consideration and in this, my first
public utterance, am convinced the
success of the national Republican
ticket will be best for the country at
large. and the colored man in par
ticular."
Gives Reasons for Support.
My reasons for these conclusions
are summed up as follows: Whatever
may be Mr.. Bryan's personal views
concerning the status of the COlored
man in America, his closest political
advisers, men like Tillman, Vardaman
Hefin. and Governor Hoke Smith,
believe in disfranchisement of the
colored man; believe in Jim Crow
cars and the most humiliating treat
ment in public conveyances, where
all pay the same fare; believe IN in
sulting COlOred women; believe in a
four months school system; believe IN
Iyuchings, burnings and the shotgun
policy, and this, too,not for the color
ed one who is guilty of crime, but for
the one who respects the law. seeks
to give his children education and aC-
quire property. This can be amply
proved by the recent OutrageS near
Albany, Ga, where the homes, school
houses and churches of lnofensive
persons were burned The only thing
charged against them was that they
believed in doing the best thing they
could and obeying the law Instead
OF Governor HOke Smith seeking TO
punish these outrageous criminals he
has LETT the state, carrying his mes
sage of prejudice and hate in other
states. With such men close to Mr..
Bryan and in power what can the
colored man hope from the success
Of Mr.. Bryan and the Democratic
party?
You ask about Brownsville | do
not uphold the act of the President in
discharging, without ample proof, the
soldiers who have never faltered on
the field of battle, but always re-
sponded to their country's call. Mr..
Roosevelt's act was the act of one
man, acting as he saw fit, and was
not the act of the Republican party,
nor do | believe the act was approved
by Mr.. Taft. The evidence is all to
the contrary, but he had to carry out
the orders of his superior.
Continue Fight in Ranks.
Now, will it not be better for the
colored voters of the country to con-
tinue their fight within the ranks OF
the party, rather than seek to put in
another party whose r6tord is opposed
to colored soldiers entirely? Con-
gresham Slayden of Texas, and Sen
ator Overman of North Carolina,
both introduced bills in the last Con
gress directing the discharge OF all
Negro soldiers and forbiddIng farther