The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1910-04-08
STILL HAS HOPE
THAT REPUBLICAN, PARTY GAN
CARRY STATE. !
HON. J. C. NAPIER, MEMBER OF
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, BE-
LlEVEs If CAN BE DONE.

Tennessee can yet boast of a
strong Republican organization and
party we'll able to cope with the sit
uation, a party in which there is to
be found some 'rock-ridden, staunch,
and incorporating opponents of
the principles laid down years ago
when it tried mems faith to proclaim
the doctrines of Republicanism as
enunciated by old leaders. The
grand old party will yet triumph
even at the coming of the state cleo
ton with the right kind of leader
as standard bearer" This is the
declaration of Hon. James Carroll
Napier, the lone Negro member of
the State Executive Committee
which convened in this city several
weeks ago This distinguished attor-
ney, financier and politician, whose
reputation is nationwide and who
has never failed to represent the Vol
unteer State even at great sacrifice,
would not discuss with the Globe re-
porter the much-talked of alliance
with the Negroes that it is rumored
has been made by another political
organization, except to say it was his
candid opinion that the Negroes of
Tennessee were as safe in the Repub-
lican column for the next election as
ever before He placed no bearing
whatever on anything that has been
said concerning the party failing to
get the solid Negro vote last election.
He did not discuss the oft-repeated
assertion that many Of the white Re-
publicans were trying to rid the par
ty of the Negro vote, which was said
TO be responsible for the Indifference
of the Negro apparent in some Sec
tons of the state toward the Repub'
lican party.
When pressed to say what he
thought would be the course pur-
sued by certain white Republicans in
regard to the Negro in the future
Mr.. Napier thinks that should the
party exhibit that once friendly atti
tude toward the brother in black, rec
ognizing him as a voter and factor
not wholly ignoring him, endeavor
ing as was apparent during the last
campaign to win their battle without
his support, there would be a vast diff
I ference in the results two years
hence; and, no doubt Tennessee
. would be found safely lodged in the
, Republican columns after the results
, of the next Presidential election are
known. This argument is based or
the fact that fifty per cent of the
most densely populated sections Of
West Tennessee is Negroes, about
twenty-five per cent of Middle Tennis
see is Negroes, with East Tennessee
solidly in the Republican column
There would hardly be any doubt
: that the state would go Republican
were some of the white leaders kind
ly disposed to cooperate with the Ne
groes in making their plans, elect
ing their delegates and selecting
their candidates.
Much importane is attached to the
view of Mr. Napier because of his
, known loyalty, regardless of the
: fact that he has not been given the
= recognition due him for his past for
! ty years service, to the party. His
: leadership in the state as stauncl
= Republican irrespective of condi
I, tions, has not at any time been IL
dispute, and his remaining upon thu
, State Executive Committee when /
p was reported that the TENNESSEE
q wing of the Republicans would riC
the party of all its Negroes, is takel
! as further evidence of his strength
and gives credence to his views ant
:, opinion on the attitude of the Negr
., vote in the coming elections. Their
seems to be a revival of interes
among the Negroes and it is expecte
that this will be further shown a
the county conventions to be hel
" throughout the state at an early date