The Detroit times., 1908-09-09
NEGROES DECLARE
FOR INDEPENDENCE

A striking declaration of principles
has been made by the League of hide
pendent Negro Voters which recently
concluded its session. This organiza-
ton Is working TO make the Negro
voter independent in politics and to
place the Negro vote In position
where 1t will not be taken for granted
as an asset OF one of the political
parties.
In democracy such as that now
existing in the United States no pro-
scribed element can hope to obtain its
Just and proper civil and legal rights
II the sate9 harding Of its interests is
left entirely in the hands OF others
Especially Is this true IL a hostile ele-
ment is the one to which the pro-
scribed ones political powers are
delegated. Forty years or costly and
bloody experience have taught the
American Negro that he can enjoy pro-
lection OF life and of property and can
conserve his Just and proper civil
orously intelligently and discriminat-
ingly guards them one of the strong
est weapons available to the Negro IN
the existing struggle into which he
has been 50 unwilling preclpitated. is
the ballot.
Insulted when we would avail our
selves. almost anywhere In America, Of
ordinary public conveniences; subjesrS
time most brutal treatment while Wav-
cling either as intrastate or as inter-
state passengers In large sectf6r OF
the Union. openly robbed OF the ballot
by several individual states, while our
consenurable national government I'M
willing TO use the powers placed I'm it's
indolent hands, stultifes itself by dis
Obeying those plain constitutional man
dates that provide for our relief muir
dered with IMMUNITY almost anywhere
I'm that part Of our country which lies
LII atnH
New Mexico; and actually and openly
held in slavery la many localities IN
! -a.ilth--near- the-end- OF thia-tha
first decade OF the twentieth century
we must quickly resort 10 determined
and continued action or accept the
only remaining altcrnative--speedy
reduction TO the ablect tyranny under
"A vile and dishonest Oligarchv While
no one ltne OF effort Will alone deter
mine our choice here vet all else to-
gether must fail unless accompa n ed
and assisted by local and vigorous
Nexer,0se OF the ballot
y believing most firmly In the above
declarations, the League OF IndeDen-
dent Negro Voters solemnly pledges
ITSELF 90 support or To oppose cendi :
dates FOR office only after a careful
/ survey Of the political field from time
10 I ime. 90 recognize men aud meas
nfek father than party interests: IN
let oar Political activity be determined
bV tie local and national interests ot
4 Tie race. To- oppose unjust political dis
elimination ~ All It's forms: conscicn
tiously 10 determine our political
vents and TO h2ht FOR them. n tteces.
sarv TO the bitter end; to accord mosi
freely and willingly TO all mankind
and in return 20 request from all. full
recognition Of the universal rights oi
llife liberty. and the pursuit OF happi-
neas. AND to- encourage Intelligent and
systetnatic procedure W. the exercise
of all our political functions.
kcenlS realizing the seriousness of
I the Negroes position In this country
I Enrf -~fftl-eldnacd- by tho unQuestionable
! business or our cause. we nnhcsitatine
~ and most freely set forth this state.
mcnt % principles and OF the reasons
! that impel as 10 united action. And IN
| SO declaring we claim as our Just due
| the approval OF all humane and lib-
4 erty loving people