The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-09-10
TRYING TO
HOODWINK NEGROES
Democrats Pursuing Their Usual
Double Faced Policy.
uphoIdins DisfranehiSsmSnt In the
Seuth While Forming colorsd Bryan
Clubs In West.

Clubs In West.
[From the Baltimore Sun. Dem.I
General Winfield s. Hancock. who
was the Democratic nominee for pres
ident In 1880, declared the tariff was
principally a local question"-that Is
to say, a Pennsylvania Democrat
might be a protectiOnlst for protec-
tons sake, while Democrat In Geor-
gia or in Iowa might hold fast to the
doctrine Of a tariff for revenue only.
The Massachusetts Democrat might be
q free trader without reservation Of
any kind, while the West Virginia
Democrat might be q free trader only
with respect to commodities which
were not produced by his own state.
General Hancock's pronouncement
was considered an ingenious evasion
Of the tariff issue, but it did not pro-
duce harmony In the Democratic par
ty, and the general was defeated.
Twenty eight years have passed
since General Hancock defined the
tariff as a local question upon which
the Democrats of each state were free
to act with regard chiefly to local in
terests. The principle which he then
formulated seems to have been adopt
ed by Democrats in the west In re-
spect to the relation Of the Democrat
ic party to the negro. Last week the
West Virginia Democratic convention
embodied in its platform planks de-
manding certain qualifications for
voters, designed to disfranchise many
negroes. Their platform also contains
q declaration In favor of separate
coaches for white and negro passen-
gers on railroads. The West Virginia
Democrats not only refuse to hold out
the olive branch to the negro and In
vite him into their fold, but they are
determined to limit his political activt-
ty by DISTINGUISHING law and to
bring him under the operation of a
"Jim Grow" law when he travels on
the railroads of that state.
What Are the Pronises2
Out In Nebraska and In Kansas the
Democratic campaign managers are
organizing negro voters into Bryan
clubs. In Ohio no effort will be spared
to secure the support of the negro
voters for the Democratic national
ticket. What pledges have been given
and what inducements have been Of
fered does not appear. But it is fair
inference that the managers have
promised to do something for the ne.
GrO," perhaps to recognize him In the
distribution Of offices, II Mr.. Bryan
should be elected, and also to take
such action as the negroes may de-
m0nd in respect to the reinstatement
Of the negro battalion dismissed from
the army by President Roosevelt for
the attack on Brownsville. Last week
when the West Virginia Democrats
were declaring for disfranchisement
law and for a "Jlm Crow" law the
Democratic convention In the Twelfth
congressional district of Ohio adopted
g platform favOrlng 1.-The enactment
Of laws which shall accord to all men
accused of wrongdoing, whether SOL
diers or civilians fair and impartial
trial and an opportunity to be heard
before conviction or punishment"
This apparently refers to the Browns
vile incident. 1t may also have q
broader meaning and a more extended
application and may be susceptible Of
an Interpretation which will make
southern Democrats open their eyes
with amazement and possibly with ap-
prehension.
Race Question Local IssueT
There seems to be no ground for rea-
sOnAble doubt that the Democratic
campaign managers in the west, In the
effort to secure negro support for their
national ticket are acting upon the
principle that the race question is only
q local issue" 1t is evident that the
south does not approve this plan of
campaign, but Is powerless to check it.
The Democracy Of the south Is in full
accord with the position taken by the
West Virginia Democrats last week
And yet it Is assumed by those who
are trying to get negroes to support
Mr.. Bryan that the south will act in
hearty cooperation with the Ohio, Ne
braska, Kansas and Illinois Democrats
who are welcoming the negro into free
fellowship In the Democratic party
and probably promising to annul the
decision Of President Roosevelt in the
Brownsville matter. The theory Of
western Democrats that the race prob
lem Is merely local issue Is calcu-
lated to give the south much concern.
Many Democrats in that section may
question whether it is worth while to
elect Democratic president who may
open wide the door Of political oppor-
tunity to the negro.