New-York tribune., 1908-04-20
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
ADVICE TO NEGROES.
Told Not to Heed Hot Headed and
Intem perdte Orators.

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: think all negroes agreed that the dis
missal of the negro battalion not only an in
justice to the innocent among them but an injus-
tice to the colored well. and that there
are many white people who feel as keenly as some
OF US do the great wrong which has been done
these soldiers and incidentally their race. which
must for long time bear the stigma cast upon the
guilty and innocent alike by the memorable order
dsmissng them without honor from the ranks
But the thing has been done. AS a consequence
there has been a great deal of talk. more or less
senseess and incorporate from gentlemen in the
colored race who seem TO have forgotten the old
axiom that horse can be led 10 the trough but
cannot be made to drink. The loose talk and the
threats which have been emitted by some Of these
speakers and newspapers would seem to Indicate
that orators and editors who exploiting their
erudition and playing to the galleries have lost
their reason and their self-respect. Their sensa-
tional methods and their bombastc oratory are not
going to right the wrong of which they Justly COM
plain.
The Scripture tells US that there is a way which
seemeth good" But. unfortunately, these indig-
nant brethren have not been able to find that way.
They show themselves TO be more impetuous, hot
headed and intemperate than the President. Cool
headedness and calmness has not characterized
their deliberations. They advise the negroes to
vote the Democratic ticket If these soldiers not
restored TO the ranks. VIII negroes follow this
unwise, foolish and childish advice? think not
Will the Democratic party right the wrong done
Congress and the Democrats Of the South how they
feel this question In the fulness OF time this
question will be settled. the innocent soldiers Will
be vindcated and the guilty win be punished. Mr..
Roosevelt. I take it, is not the kind OF man 10 be
bued or 70 be Influenced by threats which
opine cannot be made good at the crucial moment
have to part company with Professor Du Bois
who a few weeks ago telegraphed TO a meeting OF
New York negroes advising that We vote the
Democratic ticket. I shall do nothing of the kind
I think that advice was unsafe. unwtse and IN
sound and does no credit to Professor Du Bois's
usual good sense 7 could not vote a Democratic
ticket without insulting my manhood and the
memory of nv father who sold like beef by
the pound during the administration Of James
Buchanan. who q Democrat. I think no other
negro who remembers the horrors Of slavery and
its conComitant evils and that all the Ills We now
bear are directly traceable to that party, will so
far forget himself to cast a vote in the next
Presidential election for any Democratic candidate
for the Presidency.
I shall not be swerved from the course have al
ways pursued in every Presidential election since
have had vote and I shall not give any aid or
countenance TO the Democratic party, however
specious or plausible the arguments advanced by
negro political iconoclasts. who ready 70 pull
down the temple if they can find followers enough
| to assist them which is extremely probematicaL
Two wrongs do not make one right" think this
is good philosophy.
JOHN EDWARD BRUCE,
Editor ''Yonkers Standard"
yorkers ~ Aprl IL 1905