The Washington bee., 1908-04-11

Jordan, q. L. P. Taliaferro.
The largest number in attendance
do not reflect the sentiment of the
American Negroes.
1t IS now 4 pm, and there are as
many on the outside who were not
admitted as there are on the inside.
A meeting was called by those in
the basement of the church, and
they elected w. Calvin Chase chair
man and ]. G. Robinson secretary
A committee was appointed, and re-
ported the following:
We protest against the action
of the Constitution Colored League
in refusing to admit to its session
any colored man who will not pledge
himself to vote for Foraker, or who
will support Taft for the nominee
of the Republican party, but to the
contrary vote for Bryan, in caseTaft
| or Roosevelt be nominated
Whereas, in view of the existing
| conditions regarding our people as
they are today, being not unmindful
OF the past history of our racial de-
velopment and progress, we rise to
submit a report which in our opin-
ion more nearly conforms to the best
interests of the Negro than any sub
mitted.
We are we'll aware of the discus
sion going on throughout the coun-
try as to the probable attitude OF the
Negro in the coming campaign. And
while there may be difference of opin-
ion, at the same time we do not be-
lieve that this convention, or any
convention, should commit the race
for or against any political party at
this time. To declare that in the
event of the nomination of any one
candidate the entire race will vote
solidly against any particular party is
to proceed so far as to make it i'm
possible for us to assert any inf1u
ence for racial good. In the event of
the defeat of that element with which
we hav been aligned because of the
adoption of any report different from
this, we would have little influence
when matters of racial interest are
under discussion.
Everywhere in America we will
admit that those rights which are
ours-whether they be the rights of
freedom, opportunity for development
and franchise-have all come to us
as the result of the efforts of the
men of one political party. Wher-
lever this disfranchisement and denial
OF rights obtains, another party is in
control. To say, then that we will
turn away from the friends of life
time, and go to those who have hith-
| erto been enemies, and who at pres
ent are offering no inducements for
our support, to our mind betrays a
shortSightedness which can but bring
disaster to the race.
| We believe that the best interest
of the race will be conserved by wait
ing until the conventions have nom
mated candidates and until platforms
have been adopted, and we can see
the thing for which these candidates
and platforms stand. Then we can
align ourselves with those men and
, platforms which will make for the
best interests of the race.
This being true, we adopt the fol
lowing report:
BE it resolved: That as a race
we decide to support the nominee oi
the Republican National Convention
: and that all efforts to align the race
with any party not friendly to the
= race, against the best interests ot
= this race, are to be deplored.
D Further be 1t resolved: That tho
Y exercise of conservatism and far.
sightedness is absolutely necessary a
= this time; and that all radical speech
I es or abusive utterances can but dC
E harm to the race
c. D. Cooley, Editor, The Caret.
i William H. Cahill, Columbus, 0
George \. Gaines.
?. w. Calvin Chase,
r. 7. @. Robinson, Dayton, Ohio.