The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1908-10-08
TRYING TO HOOD
WINK NEGROES
Democrats Pursuing Their Usual
Double Faced Policy.
upholdine Dlsfrsushissmsnt In the
South While Forming Coiored
Bryan clubs in West


tFrom the Baltimore Sun. Dem.)
General winfield S. Hancock. Who
was the Democratic nominee for Presi-
dent IN 1880, declared the tariff was
principally a focal questlon"-that IL
70 say, d Pennsylvania Democrat might
be a protectionist for protection's sake,
while a Democrat In Georgia or In
Iowa might hold fast 10 the doctrine
Of a tariff for revenue only The Massa-
chusetts Democrat might be a free
trader without reservation OF any kind.
while the West Virginia Democrat
might be a free trader only with re
spect to commodities which were not
produced By his own State General
Hancoek's pnonouncement was cousid
cred an Ingenious evasion OF the tariff
issue, but It did not produce harmony
IN the Democratic party, and the gen
eEal was defeated.
T~wenty-elght years have passed since
General Hancock defined the tariff a.
q LEGAL question upon which the Demo
Gratis 81 each State were free 10 act
With regard chiefly 10 local interests
TIE principle which he then formu-
lated seems 70 have been adopted By
Democrats in the West In respect TO
the relation Of the Democratic party
70 the negro. Last week the West Yir-
ginia Democratic convention embodied
IN It's platform plauks demanding GER
tain qualifications for voters. designed
to dlsfranehise many negroes. Their
platform also contains a declaration IN
favor Of separate coaches for white
and negro passengers Of railroads The
West Virginia Democrats not only re-
fuse 10 hold out the olive branch to
the negro and invite him into their
fold, but they are determined to limit
bis political activity by a disfranchls-
ing law and to bring him under the
operation OF q "Jim Grow" law when he
travels on the railroads Of that State.
What are the Premisess
out IN Nebraska and in Kansas the
Democratic campaign managers are
organizing neRo voters iuto Bryan
clubs. In Ohio no effort viii be spared
b secure the support Of the negro
voters for the Democratic national
ticket. What pledges have been given
and what Inducements have been Of.
sored doea not appear. But IL is a fsiE
inference that the managers havs
promised to 40 "a~omsthing Zoe the ne
gro" PeFaaFs to recognise him In the
distribution Of Offices, n Air. Bryan
sbouid DO elected end also % taks
such action as the negroes may 90
mand IN respect 70 the reinstatement
Of the pesyo battalien dismissed from
the army BY President Roosevelt foI
he attack on Brownsville Last week
when the West Virginia Democrats
were declaring for a disfranchisemeni
law ana for a "Jim Grow law. th'
Democratic convention IN the Twelfth
Congressional district Of ohio adopted
3 platform fayorlng "the enactment
Of laws which shall accord 70 all meT
accused Of wronEdoinE. whether sol
diers OF civilians, a fair and Impartia
trial ana an opportunity to be heard
before coneiction or punishment
This apparently refers to the Browns
willie incident II may also have I
broader meaning and a more EXTENDED
application and may be susceptible o.
an Interpretation which will make
Southern Democrats open their eye
with amusement and possibly with ap
prehension
Race Question HLoeal Issue9"
There seems 10 be no srouhd Tor rsa
sonabls doubt that the Dsmscratll
campaign managers 10 the West. 10 thI
effort to secure negro support for ihei
national ticket, are acting u7on thI
priueiple that the race question Il oil,
a local Issue" n ls evident that thI
South does not approve thiS plan 0
campaign. but L. Pshsness 70 check Il
The Democracy Oh the South Is Ia ful
accord With the position taken by ID
West Virginia Dene9Ats last weeh
AID yet n Ia assumed BY those VII.
are trying 20 get negroes 70 shppor
NJ. Bryan that the South VIII act q
hearty cooperation With the Ohio. NJ
bFaska. Kansas aHd Hlinols Democrat,
who are welcoming the negro into FIRE
fellowship IN the Democratic part
aud probably prsmiIihg 70 annul "a
decision Of President Roosevelt IN "a
brownsville matter. The theory q
Western Democrats that the race prof.
lea l. merely a local issue is calcy
lated b give the South much concer'
MhnY Democrats 10 that section ma
question whether Il Is worth While /
sleof a Democratic president who mA
open vide the door OF political oppo.