The Twin City star., 1914-03-27
A RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.

"The South is in the saddle" The
Negro question is the paramount is
sue. The Democrats are attempting
general disfranchisement and class
legislation against the Negro. We
have contended that this would be
done, and we must suffer it now.
The Southern Democrats could not do
otherwise. They have raved for years
on the NEGRO problem" and today
the Negro-haters in Congress are dy-
ing in their deliriums, in spite of party
control. This is a dawn of q new
freedom, period of reconstruction
1t is the battle for human rights be.
tween white men, where the Negro
will be benefited. If he is totally dis
franchised, (and this is possible)
some day he will be enfranchised and
then will value his ballot for its true
worth. If the Democrats fail to pass
any special legislation depriving the
Negro of his rights, then he should
not count them as enemies of his
race. The party label has been dis.
astrous to the Negro. He has believed
in jobs, and not justice. The records
not promises of men should hereaf-
tr be considered. The Republicans
gave and the Republicans taketh away
yet it is fit and proper to say, Blessed
are the Republicans-Like-wise we
fear the Democratic party disregard.
less of the merits of its many in
dividuals. The present issue on the
Negro is blessing. 1t is going to
bring him in closer relation with his
friends, both white and black. He has
been to a great extent careless, dis.
honest and ungrateful. He is now
fearful of his future. The Negro ol
the North, who glories in his priv.
ilege to vote, has seldom considered
his brother of the Southland, who is
without that privilege. The exercise
of suffrage is a right under the Con.
stitution, yet is is only privilege in
many of the States. The Negro, as
an individual, must become interested
in his God-given rights and must do
his uttermost to safeguard them
They complain about not having
leaders, the fact is-all leaders and no
followers. The race must learn to
trust each other. There is no unity
without confidence, no confidence
without honesty. "The true grandeur
of nations lies in the true character
of its individuals" Yet we censure
Mr.. Vardaman, when he makes CAP
ital out of the criminal statistics.
The question is being asked what
are you going to do about it? Many
leading Negroes of today forget that
Editor 7. Thomas Fortune prophesied
this condition and years ago he
heralded that question over this en-
tire country in the columns of The
New York Age. His warnings and
protests were unheeded, discrimina-
ton began with disfranchisement
brought On by race traitors and SUBJ
servient leaders, and today we have
segregation and an attempt to repeal
the 18th amendment. We believe that
Divine Providence will right all
wrongs. 1t matters little if we suffer
now that future generations may be
benefited. However, the Govern
ment at Washington still lives, and all
Democrats are not Negro-haters. God
reigns supreme, he controls the
destinies of nations, and will help
those who help themselves, that trust
and fear him. The present may ap-
pear dark, but the future will be-
brighter for the race if the Negro
will work out his own salvation with
fear and trembling. The contending
forces have made him "Take Notice"
May he continue, and with reforms
from within,-a regard for his moral,
financial and political welfare, he will
leave to posterity an inheritance of
which they shall be justly proud.