The Lexington standard. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 1892-1912, 1911-10-21
Why Should The
NEGRO VOTE AT
ALL NOW


This is a white mans country; it
has always been ruled by white men,
and will always be so ruled" Regard
as an enemy to your race any white
man who endeavors to procure your
vote by promise of Offices to colored
men," Realize that the hope OF the
colored race lies in the gospel OF in
dustry, honestly preached by Booker
Washington, and not along political
lines" (Applause)
The above declaration was made by
Mr.. John H. Flood, one Of the Fusion
Republican speakers in his speech
Thursday night in the grand fusion
rally at the opera house. which form
ally opened the Republican campaign
here for municipal Offices to be voted
for November 9Th. This is clear
outline and an unmistakable exposi-
lion of the true attitude Of the Fusion
movement respecting Negro support IN
the coming election. It shows that the
ticket represented by Mr. FlcOd is 50
bigfl0 confident of success that It IS
utterly Indifferent as to whether it
shall receive the support Of the Negro
OF not This is a true specimen, evinc-
ing a covert adoption here, TOO, of the
Lily White" plSn, which has proved
so disastrous to the race politically
elsewhere. Al the time Mr. Flood
spoke, the balcony and gallery were
wei filed with colored voters, usually
referred to as the better element OF
Negroes, which means, Of course, loyal
subjects 20 the party. who do not know
how TO scratch a ticket, and, further
more. do not care to leaTn-those Who
can stomach the most nauseating mess
and smack their lips and say, Gimme
some mo-, boss. it's good" However
MT. Floods utterances were received
with a silence profound, his radical
frankness threw q chill and dampness
on the leading shouters that fingered
long and far into the further proceed
ings Of the evening.
~slow to learn carries with ii
slow to forget" This is the
one basis OF hope concerning
our people. Hence 1t behooyes the
mssmerists to hold the spell or then
and never allow them to wake up
Mr.. Flood being q new convert to the
Republican fold, coming, Is he dig
from the Democrats. has evidently
failed to imbibe the spirit Of his new
environment and adopt the methods
Of his new cohorts. The position O.
the old line Republicans, touching tins
very identical point, official recogni
tioA is patent to all. 1t is elusive
evasive, yet sufficient, for, for fort!
years. the Negro vote has been lure'
alcng by a shrewd manipui alton o
this strategy, 5rusingly hopefully
awaiting The development Of time
when their patience should be reward
ed and their fond hopes realized in Of
fetal recognition at the hands of th'
Grand Old Party.
1t is a significant fact tia
the Republicans received with opei
ars and gladly welcomed
few hundred Democratic supplanter
and readily divided honors with then
upon a ratio better than six to foul
while the Negro, who is admitted t
be the backbone Of the party local.
has been dealt with with utter indi
ference. CThis article viii be read b
intelligent Negroes all over the couI
try) Now, can the intelligence anon
the Negroes here afford to go Q
record as countenancing the idea tha
the Negro here make any candidate G
ticket a present Of his two thousan
votes without some assurance that kh
gift viii be at least thankfully r.
ceived and due recognition given
return. properly based upon the pr
portion of intelligence, wealth an
common service for which the rae
stands? It remains to be seen
The writer is free and not unduly han
pered Or biased to any political sid
We assume to argue purely from n
standpoint of the Negro. We are re
istered as an independent, and eSpe'
to vote, if at all. accordingly; yet y
are frank to confess hat We are VI
able to ses any inducement so far he
out from either side to justify vas
of time necessary from needed emplc
ment for any coiored voter to con
out in open support of an candida
running for Office in the CO p Gle
ton.
This is a white mans country
eh2 Yes, and this is Viii
mans fight for Office. Let's stand 7
and look on. ana see it well done iu
once. for luck. If either ticket ha'
need Of or desire the Negro vote, ]
that ticket ask for it. Then, anc n
untr then, VIII tbe Negro vote be ?