Franklin's paper the statesman., 1912-10-05

and For tho People-Human Slavery
Not Chargeable to Acts of Any Ono
Political Party.
I'm advocating division of the Negro
vote have met with severe criticism
from some people that ought to know
better says Bishop Alexander Walters.
However, much of the criticism is un-
founded. 1t is the same old cry heard
in other days, Our raft is in danger.
Since ! have nothing but the good of
my people ut heart | have nothing to
fear nor need be disturbed by the un-
just criticism so freely INDUCED in in
some quarters.
1T has been said that ! desire all the
Negroes to vote the Democratic ticket.
| want nothing of the kind. nor have
| ever by speech, letter or otherwise
advised such course We should be
as badly off politically as we are now
If all the Negroes entitled to the fran
chise We're to 90 over to the Demo
cratic party. our present political ills
have largely come through the soldar-
ity of the Negro vote.
"If Democracy stands for anything al
all ii stands for the brotherhood of
man and the rule of the people. And
the principles of Democracy will tri-
umph ultimately. 1t is the light In our
republic that is to shine more and more
unto the perfect day Its growth is
continuous. The Negro. being mem
her of this great republic. will be re-
ripieut of its blessings
Governor Folk of Missouri says:
"'Democracy would have all unite in
enforcing the laws and in counteract-
ing any attempt to defy them. 1t
would not array class against class. but
would protect the rights of all by hav-
ing each respect the rights of the
other 1t would not attack wealth hon
rstly acquired. but would wage un-
ending war against the privileges that
produce tainted riches on one side and
nndeSerVed poverty ON the other side.
1t would protect property rights. but
would recognize that property rights
are best protected 10y preserving invio-
late the public rights. 1t would not
combat men. but the evil men do II
would seek ms n remedy for existing
evils. not less government 10y the peo
pie but more government by the peo-
Dle
lit would place conscience above Gun
ming and the public good above private
greed 1t would not offer man an
advantage in the way Of n subsidy or
bounty or protective tariff. enabling hin
to make money mt the expense Of his
fellow men. but IT would assure him
that it would give no one else such
special privilege over him.
1T would also guarantee to all an
equal opportunity to live and labor and
enjoy the gains of honest toll.
Il admit. so far as the Negro is con
cerned. the Democratic party has not
lived up to its high principles. Hu
man slavery has been the great STUN
bling block for which the Democratic
party was not wholly responsible.
Long. long before any Democratic par
ty was formed In this country slavery
existed here. and 1t was the economic
value of the slave that caused the per
petuity of the institution.
THE southern climate. so much like
the native habitat OF the African, was
suited to him and he to 1t. 1t respond
ed to his touch. producing In abun-
dance cotton. tobacco. rice. sugar cane.
etc. He lived. thrived and made the
southland blossom like rose. He was
considered n necessity, and schemes
were devised to enslave him forever.
Neither Federalists. Democrats, Whigs
nor Republicans were responsible for
its beginning, but rather the rulers OF
England who permitted the slave trade.
thus enriching themselves.
For time slavery existed both north
and south The cold climate Of the
north made slavery Improbable in that
section, while the southern states form
ed a suitable field for slave labor In the
production of its staple products. With
this discovery came the defense of the
system And on and on 1t went until
the system was hcdGed about with
laws enacted by state legislature and
the national congress. Next came the
agitation against slavery by those who
perceived the iniquity of the institu-
ton and that slavery was menace to
the continuation OF the republic.
The next act in the drama was the
civil war. which resulted in the over
throw Of the system. The party which
accomplished this wonderful feat was
the party of Lincoln. Seward. Sumner
Stevens. Grant and others-the Repub-
lican party. The Republican party
having freed the slaves. there was
nothing else for it to do but to make
them secure In their freedom. This
was done by the passage of the thir.
teenth amendment to the federal con
stitution. which reads as follows
"Section l.-Neither slavery nor involun-
tary servitude. except as punishment for
crime whereof the party shall hnvc been