Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-08-28
THE NEGRO In POLITICS.

Following is . communication from
former Lancastrian, now living in the
north. In writing on the Negro and the
Ballot he says:
"Of all the problems that confront
US in the or the present century, that of
the Negro and the ballot is the most
interesting. Why does the Negro vote
the Republican ticket? is the question
ever on my mind, and over which Ihave
spent so many wakeful hours. / fear
the mistake has been that we have never
given the subject q careful and deliber-
ate debate in our minds, and to those
who have not tell you now there was
never greater need for men to con-
slider the best course of action, the
best man to help lift the standard of a
people to scale of better living-justice
and right-than is in this great Goth
century campaign. Now is the time for
voters, young and old. to arouse them
selves to the stage of action, and decide
in favor of platform that will give
the Negro recognition
What has the colored man gained
through the Republican party. Under
the Republican reign? Flee
from this party of untruthfulness as
have done. for their tongues are well
oiled, and they promise much, but when
they are again and again in power they
treat you with indifference; claiming
that they can't interfere.
The Negro has ever been the
tool of the Republican party. He was
schooled to use the ballot thus, and is
now expected 90 do SO as a means to an
end When will the colored voter get
out of the rut and stop voting the Re-
publican ticket, and cast his ballot for
the best man? The Republicans are
held in power by the masses of Negro
voters, all oyer this country. They are
necessity to their success, yet what
has he gained for his servicexq The
humble voteris forgotten in the glorious
reign of man whom he has helped to
crown. Let Us get on the opposite side
and give apush. Let us cast our votes
for Bryan, and feel sure we will have
no cause to regret our course. Il will
make the opposite party feel the worth
of our votes. The Democrats will appre-
ciate our votes. and Mr. Bryan. our
future President, will prove himself
more than worthy and will deal with
the American people as whole.
Look sharp that this election be one
that men consider well. and see to it
that they put into office the best man.
Because you voted the Republican
ticket last election is no reason why
you should do so this. Here is alto
gether different man. Have you read
much of him? Yes, he talks fair, but
beware. it is only part of the drama,
for these men to hand you out taffy.
Many an one has come into office by
handing to voters these honeyed words.
They all know the right key to strike,
and it is time to cease accepting it. AS
for me. j don't digest taffy any longer.
! feel that if I continue to put my
finger in the fire. it is my own fault if
it is burnt Taft will taffy VOC all
over, colored voters.
IAN empty barrel makes the most
noise. so would accept one who says
less but who is a true American at
heart, and who will do the right thing.
Hundreds of intelligent colored
voters have for this election decided to
vote for Bryan. Shall you be one of
this sensible numberf or will you vote
the other way, and grOvel in regret
until next Presidential election?"
-COLoRED VOTER.
With "The Duty of the Negro Min
il rtry in the Present Political Campaign
as his subject, Rev. S. l.. Corrothers.
president of the Washington branch of
the National Negro American Political
League, recently delivered a stirring
add ress at Galbraith A M. E. Zion
Chu rch. Picturing the abuses which have
been heapsd upon the people of his race
by tine Republican party, he held out to
the negro race in America but one hope
for political freedom, and that was
affiiation with the:D Democratic party.
'fFor forty years." he said, 1--WE have
been bound hand and foot by the
Republican party. although we have
been taught to follow without question
the Republican leaders. regret to say
that after all these years of devotion we
find ourselves betrayed and deserted
and left to the men of the Democratic
party who. we have been taught, are
our enemies.''
He cited several instances in which
he claimed the negro had suffered at
the hands Of the Republicans.
Brownsville stands like smoking
Sinai; lily-whitism spreads itself over
the hope of the negro like the blackness
of the darkness of Egypt. but, thank