Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-04-11
REPURLICANIsM IN vIRGrNIA.

REPUBLICANIsM IN VIRGINIA.
Colored people will read with sur
prise the report os the meeting of
the alleged Republican Convention at
Lynchburg last Wednesday, where
colored delegates were howled down
and ousted and every appearance Of |
colored man as a speaker excited de-
rision. 1T can be readily understood
by the recollection Of the fable of the
iack-ass clothed in the lions skin.
The men composing this conven-
ton are Negotiating Democrats in
disguise. many of whom have become
disgruntled with the Democratic man
agement and now find it more con-
venient to get even with their former
opponents through this medium than
by organizing Independent Democrat
ic organizations outside Of their own
parties. To indicate the spirit per
meating these newly made RepubH-
cans. who do not seem TO be acquaiut
ed with even one of the fundamental
principles of the. Republican plat
form. f. is only necessary to quote
from the admirable report of Mr..
Walter Edward Harris, a gentleman
of high standing and unimpeachable
integrity.
Here is what he says:
Some Of the speeches made in
opposition TO allowing the Negroes
TO be seated would have aroused ap-
plause in q Virginia Democratic con
ventiOn I'm the days OF Reconstruc-
ton. But the convention adopted
without dissent the report OF the com
mittee seating the contesting Negro
delegation from Lynchburg This
action was undoubtedly due 90 the
fact that the city chairman I'm the
call for a convention directed that
separate conventions be held. Nat
urally. the whites I'm their conven-
tion chose white delegates. and Just
as naturally the Negroes chose Ne
groes. Under these conditions there
was nothing 90 be done by the State
convention but seat both delegations
THE platform adopted tonight IS
very brief IL simply indorses the
administration Of Roosevelt and in
structs the big four 10 Chicago to
vote for Secretary Taft for the Pres
idential nomination.
Just the idea Of holding two meet
ings. one for white men and another
for colored men and calling them
Republican meetings The absurdi-
~ OF such a plan must be apparent
TO everybody.
But here is another exhibition OF
feeling against the colored voter as
manifested in a Republican Conveu-
tion. Mr.. Harris says:
Just after the committees were
announced Negro contesting dele
gate from the First District arose
and addressed the chair. Chairman
Noel saw over the darkys head for
some time but finally recognized him.
The Negro was proceeding 10 say
that he understood there was no
race prejudice in this convention. I
do hope he was saying, when there
was a storm Of jeers ana cat-calls.
Sit downI was the business-like ex-
hortation OF husky delegate from
the Second District. seated pretty
close TO where the Negro was stand
ing demanding recognition.
Delegate Carico from the Fifth
District addressed the chair.
Does the gentleman arise TO a
point of order" suggested the chair.
Il do" said Mr.. Carico, and calm
~ proceeded to make a motion con-
corning the places OF meeting for
the committees just appointed. some
thing about as far removed from
point of order as could be imagined.
The Negro remained standing. a
motion TO adjourn till z o'clock was
made and put and carried, and the
Negro was not heard from further.
Now this is the Republican Con-
veAtion. so-called operated by white
gentlemen. holding federal offices I'M
der President Roosevelt and pledged
to the support of Hon. William II.
Taft, Secretary of War. They con-
slider that they nave elbow room" to
do what they please, inasmuch as
President Roosevelt has set the ex-
ample by kicking" innocent colored
men out of the army and barring
them from re-enlistment.
This is the logical result of such
course. We have cited the fact so
that he, who runs may read. For
our part, we are perfectly willing
to remain at home on election day
or to support some other party or
candidates, before we will suffer the
humiliation herein portrayed. This
will be disheartening news to many,
but we suggest that colored folks
carry their troubles to Jesus. work
hard, save money and vote when
they feel like it.
| Between bourbon Democracy in a
Republican convention and bourbon
Democracy in a Democratic conven-