Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-12-31
Circulation Every 1OCCc
Evening Saturday AONOO 1
TUESDAY. DECEMBER 81, 1918.
The Republican Party and the Negro.

ne kenuhlican triumph NJ the tlCCtlull
in Delaware, ia November-thanks TO a
contribution Of $4,000 for vote-buying
from the Republican National Committee
on the eve OF election and the sohd sup
rort Of the Negro votcrs-is not unmixcd
with troublesome and displeasing Gle
ments. II seems 10 have been followed
hy an unusual and somewhat imperative
demand from the Negro voters or recog-
nition in the matter Of official appoint
nents. 4 letter from Negro citizen Of
Wilmington, over his own name, which we
PRINT elsewhere in this issue, gives an
indication Of what I'll Negro voters oi
Wilmington, and possibly of the state
az Delaware ar thinking about these
DAYS
Nhcnit is considered that for more than
hall a century the Negro has been clothed
with the privilege ot suffrage, and that
almost 10 a mau hc has IT, towcj the great
political power Of HI, suffrage upon the
Republican party, regardless At All iim,>
oi political issues or even the character III
candidates, II Is really amazing that the
party has been ahle 10 hold this powerful
support with such lnhnItCsimat recognition
ia the distribution az official patronage.
Mos faithful has the Negro voter hecn
n his devotion 10 the Republican party
Tie has asked for little ana got les
Without this sohd. loyal Negro mp
port, The Republican party would >, II
minority in this country II could hardly
csrr1 i state. save Vermont, pe-ssibly In
Wilmington il could hardly carry . single
vsIl 4 In ciection II ccrtainly could
not ,leer i United States : nator, q
Rcnr, s.ntafivc in Congress. a governor.
secure control oi tie LEGISLATURE Rut
Is, faithful devotion q ~ Negro ,o'c
5as made the Republican ra's par--
noun; in Delavare
But What has the Negro rtcc.vcd in
retl-n Tor tins most surprising Devotion
70 lls party looked a III the plaIn
hight OF the cz6rclee oi suffrage there Is no
reason why Negro voters should lot divide
in political sentiment, just d uhl-c men
divI.e. and vote their political sentiments
II elections But, iron the inauguration
OF suffrage without regard 70 race color.
or previous CondItlon oi sery1tude. thc
Negro vote has been sohd asset Tor H.
Republican party II cvcrl election
Negro vu'ers, with scarcely an oAccp-
ton. exercise their privilege oi suffrage
for the benefit Of the Repubhcan party
Meanwhile, what hss the Republican
party done for the Negro in recognition
Of thls powerful AID valuable supper al
al electrons? 20 far as our city and state
arc concerned, 1t MAY be said that II has
done practically nothing 4 few appoint
ments 10 minor Official positions that i,
al Very reluctantly u consented 10 the
election Of Negro ~ a member of Cty
Council from the sixth ward. where the
Negro voters out number the white Re
publican voters.
Now, il appears, the Negro voters are
disposed 70 arse and demand rccogni-
tlou 10 the distribution III Official patron
upe COMMENSURATE with their voting
strength and Their influence a. an element
OF success TO the Republican party No
longer IRE they content 10 b. mere how
ers Of wood and drawers Of water with
heir potent votes always - the command
of the Republican party but with 10 rec
ognition of Their status as citizens and
voters, on d square equality after election
day with their white Kepubhran con
ferecs
The outcome Of this ebullr'ion Of
Nego Indignation Will b. awaited with
much interest II is really mystery
low The Republican party WIS able to
ge' away with the sohd Negro vote for 30
long time without giving i any reason
able recognition or recompense after elcc-
tion day Now, the Negro voter Of vii
rnington n standing up, bold and up
night, and demanding appropriate rccog-
milton in the award Of official favors
" hat will be the response VIII the Re-
publican party organization defy the
Negro vote, or surrender 10 its influence
h'AN tAi' AAA1l4F bAtStAp44S 1tiFOiNi III III
this matter, especially az to the propricty
of having Negroes occupying public of-
hcial positions with which all classes Of
people have TO do business But these
questions do not affect the obligation Of
the Republican party TO its faithful Negro
supporters at all elections Can the
party afford to longer ignore this power
ful support, without which il would be
helpless2 Evidently, the Negro voters Of
Wilmington aIe gong 10 have an answer
10 this question.
So far as public service Il concerned, it
should make no difference whether il is
by white man or q Negro so
long as 1T Ia rendered III IN efficient and