The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1908-12-03
WHAT DOES HE. GET:

either the race or Mr.. Norris we con
fess our complete ignorance.
g. Mr.. Norris says that we shohl6
compromise. Compromise what:
why? when" how?
If ever an issue was plainly stated
defeated, the plank in the Democra,
tic platform reading I'VE favor the
enactment of law requiring com,
mon carriers engaged in passenger
traffic, to furnish separate coaches
for white and colcred passengers
was that one.
Several counties, In which there
are but few Negroes and which haC
been rated as sure Democratic, turn
ed the tables and enrolled them
selves in the Republican column. All
the counties. in what, is known as
the black belt. gave increased Repub
lican majorities, showing that white
Republicans did not endorse the lily.
white planks. True, several countie:
Mr.. Norris'-Ohio-am the num-
Der, are found now, contrary to Gus.
tom. among the Democrats; but
their detection was brought about
by the opposition Of the liquor in.
terestS to the Republicans attitude
ON the prohibition question. The
Negro had nothing to do with it,
Thus the majority of the people OF
the state showed that they would
have none Of Jim Grow cars and Dis
reimbursement. In the face of this
Mr.. Norris, his eagle eye sighting
another contest from afar, urges a
compromise. He advises that We.
the victors, on Bonded knees, return
the laurels to the conquered and ask
Of them what they would have us to
do.
TO talk of the railroads adopting
a first. second and third class system
is rot, the verieSt rot, while the adj
vocacy of the Negroes themselves
asking FOR a change in the passenger
transportation laws OF the State is
idiotic, if not worse We have fought
that fight, ohce~ anc won. Why
should we now ask for what we spur
J ned SO bitterly month ago? There
has been no appreciable change of
sentiment among the Negroes since
the election day. All of them With
the exception Of two or three who
think as does Mr. Norris, consider
it an insult TO their intelligence and
manhood to propose that they ask
such a humiliation for themselves,
their wives and their children. Re-
CARELESS of what the future may
bring forth, whether or not the ques-
ton Of separate cars is an issue two,
four or eight years hence, they will
not surrender willingly one privilege
accorded other citizens of the State
If the democrats should be so un-
wise az to inject a color question
into the issues to be decided by the
people at the polls, the black men OF
West Virginia, strong in their. belief
will fight it out to the bitter end
Let him be white or black, Republi
can or Democrat, who seeks to de
prive them Of any right guaranteed
by the constitution, they will leave
no stone unturned to bury him 81
deep that Gabriel's horn will fail tt
wake him on Judgment day.
Mr.. Norris must have other reason!
than those advanced for proposin;
course 50 illogical and SO unpOpu
lar. There must be something othe
than the possible avoidance Of futur'
conflict with the desire Of the Demo
cratic party which has caused thi
change Of front on his part. On tn
occasion Of his speaking here durin
the campaign, none was more radi
CAL none more bitter against Jir
Crowism than he. Now he cone
with some specious plan Of comprC
mise, some proposition, which adoI
ted by us, would brand us as eithe
towards or fools.
Conscientious he may be. In. erro
he certainly is, for any prODOsitio
looking to the limitation Of the civ
or political rights Of a portion Of tn
people is Fundamentally wrong, an
the Negro who makes such prOpt
sltion had better hang his harp o
the Willows, for, he will sing no MOI
., in West Virginia.
HELPING YOURSELF BY HELPIN
OTHERS.