The Detroit times., 1908-09-10
NEGROES DECLARE
FOR INDEPENDENCE

A striking declaration OF principles
has been made by the League OF indie
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 a position
where II will not be taken for granted
as an asset OF one Of the political
parties.
In a democracy such as that now
existing IN the United states no pro
scribed element can nope TO obtain It's
just and proper civil and legal rights
IL the safeguarding OF its interests Is
left entirely In the hands of others.
ment Is the one 10 which the pro-
scr!bed ones political powers are
delegated. Forty years az costly ana
bloody experience have taught the
lection Of NE and OF property and can
conserve hts just and proper civil
rights and privileges only as he Wig
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 precipitated. is
the ballot
insulted when we would avail our
selves, almost anywhere in America, OF
ordinary public conveniences; subject
time most brutal treatment while trev-
cling either as intrastate or az inter
state passengers in large section or
the Union: openly robbed OF the ballot
by several individual states, while our
consenurable national government un-
willing to use the powers placed In its
indolent hands stultiiies itself by dis
obeying those plain constitutional man
dates that provide for our relief muir
dered with impunity almost anywhere
in that part Of our country which lies
south OF the Ohio river ana east OF
New Mexico. and actually and openly
held in slavery In many localities IN
the south. near the end OF this, the
first decade OF the twentieth century
we must quickly resort to determined
and continued action or accept the
only remaining alternative--specd
reduction 10 the abject tyranny under
vile and dishonest ollgarchy While
no one line OF effort viii alone deter
mine our choice here. vet all else to-
gether must fail unless accompa MED
and assisted by local and vigorous
exercise OF the ballot.
Believing most hrmly In tho above
declarations. the League of Indepen-
dent Negro Voters solemnly pledges
itself to support or TO oppose Candi-
dates for office only after a careful
survey OF the political field from time
TO time. 10 recognize men and meas
ures rather than party interests. TO
let our political activity he determined
by the local and national Interests Of
the race: to oppose unjust political dis
elimination ia all It's forms; consclen-
tiously 10 determine our political
wants. and 10 night for them. IL neces-
sary. TO the bitter end; To accord most
freely and willingly 10 all mankind.
and In return to request from all. full
recognition OF the universal rights OF
life liberty. and the pursuit Of happi-
ness and 10 encourage intelligent and
systematic procedure In the exercise
OF all our political functions.
Eeenly realizing the seriousness OF
the Negroes position in this country,
and emboldened by the unQuestioua bl e
iustness Of our cause. we unhesita ting
iy and most freely set forth this state
msnt OF principles and of the reasons
that irnpel us to united action And in
so declaring we claim as our just due
the approval or all humane and lib
erty loving people