The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-09
Negroes Need New Leaders.

Editor The Washington Herald:
The great cry against "bossism" in the
Republican ranks suggests 20 US the
thought that the elimination Of the old
time bosses" in the col0red ranks OF
that party IS about the only salvation Of
the negro race. so far as politics is con-
cerned- The negroes who have been pos
ing as political leaders OF their race for
the last twenty-five or more years have
long since outlived their usefulness
they have ever had any-tO the race. and
the dawn OF the twentieth century calls
for a change. The new problems which
must be settled caH for new Ieaders-the
task is too great for the Ole ones It's
task which calls for honest and wise
men instead Of fools and traitors. The
old political bosses have for years been
taking their race for a good thing" TO
use for their own personal beneht-a step
ping stone TO lucrative positions
For the sake Of a Federal Job the aver
age negro politician has been weak kneed
and compromising on everything which
aimed for the betterment OF his race.
Some OF them would sell the race. as
they have done in days gone by. for a
{
necessary. then. that these old leaders be
eliminated from the ranks. for they are
but detTiments 10 the race with which
they are Identified Too long has the
negro race allowed these self-appointed
leaders 20 carry IL around in their vest
pockets, hunting for the highest bidder
during election times.
The coIored people need never hope to
| amount 10 very much In the eyes Of de-
cent White people so long as they will toll
crate the leadership OF this class OF cheap
political hucksters. The race in question
has sacrificed much 70 the end that these
tricksters might get where they would
be of some benefit to It. But what has it
gained by it Nothing at all, Would il
be wise. then. for the colored people to
continue 10 be led by such men, knowing
that *hey have but one object in view
that OF selling away their rights as Amer
lean citizens for their own personal in
terest? A race that win tolerate such
bosses among them deserves the hatred
and contempt OF the races that wouldn't.
Again, the twentieth century calls for
new political leaders among the colored
people. /, personally. know that the sort
of advice given the ignorant class Of the
colored people at the South IN former
years by these self-made bosses is very
I largely the cause OF a great deal OF the
! trouble there now between the two races.
To-day the colored people at the South
are reaping the fruits Of the bad seeds
that were sown some twenty-five or thir-
| " years ago by the leaders who stood
for nothing in particular save a few dol
lars. jug OF corn whisky. and the prom
Use Of Federal office.
Knowing little or nothing about the
]
confined their speeches 10 the abuse OF
the old Shareholders. thereby appealing
to the passion instead OF the reason and
common sense Of their hearers. This
| thing was kept up, as a sort CT perpetual
motion. until the white Republicans. be-
coming Disguised at such leadership. call
ed a meeting and formed what IS now
| known as the Lily White" Republican
party. Thus II can be seen that the use
fuiness of the old negro bosses and boot
/ licking traitors OF the colored race has
/ long since been at an end. and il is now
up to u.s. race 10 move upon their
works"
The negro race should only recognize
such leaders as have very recently ap-
peared upon the political stage We be-
| iieye them to be men whom the negro
race should feel proud to honor for they
! 5ccku " AAcANN Ai-l A-AN~+N1N VI AAiN4A AdNN
at heart We refer TO the Hons. w I.
Vernon. Of Kansas. Ralph w Tyler. OF
Ohio; Charlie Anderson. OF New York.
JudSnn w Lyons. OF Georgia. and a few
others like these, who must take the
places Of the old-time bosses who have
been in the business TO sell out. first
last, and all the time.
A lot OF the former delegates from the
States TO national conventions are anx-