The Washington bee., 1908-08-29
The Political Situation
EX-GOV. P. B. s. PINCHBACK.
What He Said to a Representative of
The Bee.

Ex-Governor P. B. S. Pinchback,
who came from Baltimore, Md, a
few days ago to this city, to attend
the Douglass Memorial, was met by
a Bee representative Tuesday, who
put to him several questions con-
cerning politics. He was asked as
follows:
What do you think of the cam
paign?
The present campaign is a momen-
tous one for the country, and very
serious one for the colored people.
Il will determine which of the two
great parties - the Republican or
the Democrat - shall have control
OF its great National Government for
the next four years at least. and pos
sibly for many more years.
What is your opinion of the can
didates?
Either that splendid man and we'll
equipped statesman, William Hiatt,
OF WilliamH. Bryan will be the next
president. The candidates of the 9th
er parties are not in the running.
How do you like the platforms?
The platforms of the two parties
speak for themselves. The records
of each are well known. The Re
publican party was born in the cradle
of liberty, and has ever been the
champion of freedom and equality
before the law for all mankind. IN
der its administration of the govern
ment, prosperity, peace and happiness
have been the common lot of the peo-
pie and the republic has been elevat-
ed to the exalted rank of an ac-
knowledged world-poWer OF which
every other nation must stand up and
take notice. In short, the Republi-
can party is safe and sane, and both
worthy and capable of administering
the National Government in the best
interest Of all the people. It's plat
form is outspoken and clean-cut on
all the important questions and issues
in which the people are vitally con-
cerned, and its candidate for the
presidency stands fat-footed on the
platform. In my opinion he IS sure
of election. So far as / can observe
there is but one element of weakness
confronting us - over-confd.nce.
The Democratic candidate, it is
said, is the same old Bryan; but he is
going for the presidency on different
lines from those he employed in his
former campaigns. Evidently he be-
Iieves in the lesson we were taught
at school. viz: If at first you don't
succeed, try, try again. He has dis
carded, seemingly all of the danger
Gus fads and issues which character
lied his entrance into public life, and
now assumes the virtue of refOrma-
ton even if ne has It not. It will
not be prudent for our party man
ayers to rate him too cheaply.
The Democratic platform is also
outspoken on all the issues - save
one; and that one is the issue OF
issues, so far as the colored people
are concerned. 1t is the rights and
privileges of the Negro. To me, this
emission is significant In truth,
it becomes doubly 50 when we recall
Mr.. Bryan's reference, in his speech
of acceptance, to platfroms being
binding on what they omit as we'll as
what they contain.
The Southern, which is the domi-
nant, wing Of his party is in favor
of the repeal of the three war amend
ments, especially the Fifteenth. This
amendment is the sheet anchor Of
Negro citizenship. It's elimination
from the Constitution would be ca
1amitous in the extreme to the col
ored race, and might lead to his dis
franchisement in every State in the
Union.
If there were no other reasons
why co,ored voters should vote
against him, in my opinion this IS
sufficient But there are many 9th
ers, too numerous to mention.
WANTS JUSTICE DONE TO
NEGRO.
Noted Educator Requests the World