The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-10-26
Editorial
of the-Day
WHO SAID NEGRO?
[ FrOm Ada NeMsl

VI iOiu +NNist -NfNFI
The Republican papers Of the state
are bitterly deriding the Democrats
for raising, as they charge, the negro
question in Oklahoma. But who raised
and made it an issue?
The Republican rational conven-
ton rais,i this question by seatins
negro in place Of a white man
as national committeeman from Geor-
gia. Tue Democratic convention did
no such thing.
Senator Harding IN his speech of
accpptance raised this question by de-
manding that the NEGRO shall re-
ceive all his rights" Governor Cox
in bis, spec ch of acceptance did not
mention the -,ego.
Governor Coolidge in his speech
of acceptance raised the negro ques-
lion again by demanding the pres
ervation "cf the rights of the negro
MIR Roosevelt in his speech of ac-
ceptance made no mention of the
negro.
The Republican state convention
Of Kansas at SGlina adopted reso-
luton jenouncing the south for al
legged mlstrcauGent Of the negro. No
Democratic state convention has
mentioned the negro question.
Republican speakers and organizers
have gone into the negro districts
Of Oklahoma urging them to register
and vote This has been done by no
Democratic speakers or organizers.
In view of this recorl wro can say
The negrC question has Dcen raised
by Oklahoma Democrats?
If anyone will think for a moment
he will see that no democratic state
wants . raise the negro question.
The Democratic states have that
question rettled or adUsted just as
they want Il. They do not want that
adiustme.t disturbed. Therefore it is
against the policy and the interests
of democratic states TO raise the ne
gro question. They do not want to
raise it and they do not want anyone
else to raise it,
As a general rule the Democrats
believe that competition between the
races develops racial prejudice and
causes trouble. They seek TO remove
competition in order to prevent lrou-
bic. They eliminate competition by
segregating the races. Their theory
is that segregation is for the pro
lection Of the weaker race that SUI
fers.
Segregation laws are not for the pro
lection OF the Anglo-SaXon, for b,
needs no protection. He has never
known q master and never will.
But the abolition Of segregation
laws. such as the separate schoo
laws. the Jim Crow laws, and tht
laws against the inter-marr'age Of the
races. inevitably produces discord, anc
in that discord it is the weaker race
that gets the worst Of it.
Therefore the real friend Of the
negro IS the one who insures seq
regation. The real enemy of the ne
GRO is the one who encourages hin
TO oppose segregation and demand
conditions that bring him into com
petition with the whites.
Understanding these things in the
way they do the Democratic states
do not want the negro question tt
be an issue at any time. Failing +,
understand these things Republican
leaders frequently encourage the ne
gro TO take steps that cause infinite
trouble. Occasionally and unioriun
ateiy negro is lynched for an OF
fense some thoughtess politician ha
indirectly encouraged him to comm
II is almost unfortunate that IN
politician himself is not lynched in
stead Of the negro.