The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-03-23

he was, the candidate only had to
administer few doses of f1attery to
gathering Of the thoughtless ones
and pass out few "meal tickets"
to the hungry Negro politicians who
live by their wits instead of honest
labor. If he did this we'll, he soon
had things going his way and the
majority Of Negro voters singing his
praises.
The issues in the last election
were mainly moral issues and the
majority Of Tennessee Negro voters
hned up on the wrong side. Some Of
the most Intelligent were among
them. Patterson, Mcmillan and the
other white Democrats opposed to
the Republicans and Independent
Democrats who were fighting for
the supremacy of the law, stuck
their fingers in the eyes of the Me-
groes and led them astray. They
were aided by Ben Carr, P. r. Hill,
other leading Negro Democrats. The
Nashville Globe, the Nashville Clar-
ION and some other Negro papers
joined the throng. J. G. Napier
fought manfully for Hooper but to
no good results in the work of vote
getting. His heart was all right but
he failed to commend the sympathy
and political support of his colored
brothers. The Negroes deserted Ma
piers political standard and have
peen straying aroung like wild geese
ever since. They still like "the old
leader personally, but they are do
ing their own thinking in political
matters and their thoughts always
seem to differ from those of Napier.
1t is now up to Napier to bring
order out of chaos in Tennessee. He
should try to get P. F. Hill, Ben
Carr, Crossthwaite and other Negro
leaders in the Volunteer State to
fall In line again. He should use
his big stick" on r. H. Boyd of
the Baptist Publishing House, who
is president Of Napier's bank and
get the good doctor" to put the
Nashville Globe on the right track
IN both State and national politics.
These spirits seem to agree all
right in promoting the One Cent
Bank and other business interests.
Napier does all "the leading' in
these instances and they seem to
nave confidence in his leadership
They ought to pull to his points in
the political game.
II Taft has strong opponent for
the nomination in 1912, he will
nave u hard fight on his hands to
get the Negroes in line If they are
to have any voice in his nomination.
IT they are denied any part in his
nomination, Taft will not get their
support for his reelection. He is
being looked upon by Tennessee Ne
groes who are thinking, as the ex-
ponent of "lily-white Republican,
ism" They have very little faith
in Taft and his policy and at the
proper time will prove it. The Taft
administration representatives here,
have read the Negro out Of the party
organization in the State and there
Is no doubt that something will hap
pen to Mr.. Taft, so far as Tennes-
see Is concerned, if the Negroes get
a good chance at him. He will have
to begin early to build up his politi-
cal fences. II he attempts to do SO
with Napier as q leader, he will
have big job on hand unless poll
tical sentiment undergoes q wonder
full change at very early date.
Tennessee Negroes are making
tremendous efforts at political indie |
pendence but they will have to cut |
out sentiment altogether. They |
can no more afford to get silly over
the Democrats than to continue In |
their blind following Of the Republi- !