The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1908-08-22
Relation of Negro LaWlessness to the
Political Camnaign.

4
printed an editorial article with the
caption, "An Outbreak of Ravishers
and the Republican Campaign" II
which it was sought to create the ri
diculous impression that the declara.
ton of the Republican platform in
favor of the recognition and mainte-
nance of the eiviland political rights OF
all citizens Without distinction of race
or color-the mere reafirmation of a
fundamental principle Of the Republ-
can party as old as the party Itself
was responsible for acts of Infamous
lawlessness and outrage lately com
mitted by negro criminals.
Mr.. L. r. Collins, an intelligent and
influential citizen of Gulfport, Mics,
whose sensible views on the political
situation and the attitude the southern
people ought to take in the pending
national contest are attracting wide.
spread attention, wrote vigorous re-.
ply to the Picayune's article in which.
among other things, he said
glance at this editorial win convince anyone
that there was but one object in writing it, and
that was to fool the voters. To couple the in
paign is about as silly as it would be TO say that
the Republican campaign is responsible for the
numerous automobile accidents that have hap
pened in the same period. True Mr.. Taft, in his
letter of acceptance declares himself on the
question of the rights of the negro, politically,
but we have every reason to believe that Mr.. Taft
is more in accord with the southern idea on the
negro question than is Mr.. Bryan. We do know
that Mr. Taft takes the southern idea Of the
Brownsville affair, and we do know that Mr..
Bryan has not the courage to give to the country
an expression on that subject. We know that
the negro delegation appointed to represent
their race on this question called on Mr.. Taft
and went away dissatisfied. We also know that
this same delegation called on Mr.. Bryan, and
after the interview they issued statement call
ing on all their people to support the Democratic
ticket. Who is responsible for this outbreak
OF rayishers?" Be honest with your readers, Mir.
Editor, and we viii love you more. We know
that touching this Brownsville matter MIR. Taft
takes the position taken by Mr.. Roosevelt and
we also know that MIR. Bryan says 1t IS not IN
the Democratic platform and that for that
reason he refuses to discuss it at all The idea of
Bryan talking nothing but what is IN the Demo-
cratic platform. No, the great periodicals should
be square with their readers. 1t is the desire of
the people generally to look to the newspapers
for news ana guidance in these matters, and it IS
unfortunate for both sides that it has reached
the point that our confidence IS shaken IN the
source of our information. The southern papers
generally refuse to discuss the question, and 1t
can be for no other reason than that they know
the greatest danger is that the truth viii be re-
Vea1ed.
The tenor of the Picayune's answer
10 its correspondent arraignment
may be inferred by the title of the ar
,icle: "Why all the Newsp spers are
Conducted by Ounces" Flatly de-
slining to discuss the relative attitude
If the presidential candidates towards |
The negro political agitators Of the
country as depicted by Mr.. Collins, |
our contemporary was content to de-
end the management OF the press in |
general and of itself in particular, |
Ind to reiterate the far fetched and |
utile imputation of its orig inal utter |
Lnce by declaring that worthless ard |
Irresponsible negroes had been melted /
o violent crimes "when PRESIDENT
Roosevelt dined Booker Washington
n the White House, and afterWard
made trouble over a negro postmis-
ress up in the delta of Mississippi. 2
Mr., Collins sought to further vindi-
ate his position and to enIighten the
eaders of the Pieayune upon the ac-
iVity being displayed by Mr.. Bryan
nd his political associates in the
earch for negro support, but the
ewspaper evidently had no stomach
or the contemplation and discussion
I this subject, and failed to publish
r take notice of the following com
lunication, which The Chief has been
to print:
Gufport, Miss, Aug 8, 1903.
ditor New Orleans Picayune:
! appreciate your giving space to my letter of
ugust l, also your comments on same Now i
m not thinking of arguing the question with
ou. but feel that have right to call your at
snt1on TO the taet that your reply does notrepIy
my letter. The question is not whether VOC
: are better qualified to run newspaper, but
whether the recent outbreak OF rayishers is
ne to the Republican campaign any more than it
due to the fact that Mr.. Bryan has suddenly | !
ymced great love for our brother in black as
r. Watterson would call him. I say the cause
lists III the downright cussedness OF that class
negro, and neither MIR. BRYAN nor Mr.. Taft is |
sponSibie for it. If we are to accent yorr arar,1-
ent that the negro is influenced by these mat
rs we might believe that the fact that they had
that Mr.. Bryan was hnggiDg ''San1bon | ,
his bosom had had a tendency to cenyineethe
egroes that 1t mattered not who was elected
ryan or TAFT, they had a champion III the white
]use. The burden OF my letter was that the
ess of our country being a unit-and their
aders are with them-in favor of white supreme
y, that it should discuss this question in a
bipartisan manner il possible, giving all the
.ws as it came off the wires and not try 10
ad people to believe that the Democratic party /
the only white man party, while MIR BRYAN 1
entertaining negro delegations in his own
,me telling them to go out and organize their
ce in his interest and seeing them at night t
ganize a club in his own home town in the IN
rest of his election. Who mas asked the ne
oes OF the country to go forth and organic, G
emselves into great political party, the most | !
ok at the files of your own paper, and you will / .
e press cannot dodge this issue by asking
81" The white man who hobnobs with a | /
out as pitiful sight as the gods ever wit Z
'aightway he hoops 'e1n-up for this same white
IN, and asks the people of the country for con- Q
buttons. Every item OF news that couples the
publican party with any efforts to protect
nbo IN his rights as that party sees it, is
ken up,giYen prominence and often commented
In the papers of our country, but the people =
2 LETT to ind out the best way they can that y
g other side is guilty of the same thing the i,
NE 4A f