The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-09-28
Press Comment

Two Great Duties of Florida Democrats
1t is not at all in an alarmist spirit
that the Herald again directs attention
to two great duties that lie before the
democratic voters Of Florida.
There is not the slightest doubt,
Judging from the reports received from
over the state, that the negroes of Flor
Ida are registering in greater numbers
than ever before and that the negro
women are among the most earnest of
the NEW voters who are preparing TO
cast their ballots for the first time.
The sudden activity Of the republic
cans Of the state@is, Of course, respon-
sibIe for this sudden demand on the
part Of negro men and women to be
admitted to tileEfranchise at the COM
ing election. The white republicans
disclaim any share or portion in this
new movement among the cOlOred peo-
pie. They emphatically disclaim any
dependence upon the colored vote and
would like to have it understood that
now their party is exclusively for
whites. 4.
That is all very well, as far as their
personal statements are concerned, but
|
to shake off the negro. Traditionally
the negro is a republican. He believes
that he owes his emancipation to that
party and whether it welcomes him
or not, the negro is going to vote the
republican ticket down to the time
that he makes the discovery, as he
will some day, that the white south
ern democrat is and always has been
his best friend. FL
For the present, however the mere
say so Of white republicans does not
do away with the fact that the negro
vote will be cast and counted for the
republican ticket.
In addition to this new vote, the
republicans, themselves have been
stirred so unwonted activity by their
alleged belief that they can carry the
state, not only for state nominees. but
for the national electors. There will
be some additional votes on account
Of this new activity and organization
on the part of the republicans. And.
we are safe IN stating. there will be a
few dissatisfied democrats who will
forget their primary pledges and vote
the republican ticket out of a sort of
protest against the present position of
the democratic party on various ques-
tiOns.
This all means that the republicans
bid fair TO cast many thousand, Just
how many Is not known, votes more
than they ever did before.
And that brings us to the duties
before the democratic voters. To
those who have heretofore regarded the
primary election as the last word in
selecting candidates and in electing
officials, the duty is to go to the polls
and vote. and also the duty Of arous-
ing their neighbors to the possibilities
involved in this new negro vote. and
induce them. also. to get out on cleo
ton day and discharge their duty to
the party.
To the women of Florida. who now
receive the franchise for the first
time, there is. in view Of all the cir
cumstances, a very great duty of reg
istering and of voting in order that
there need be no doubt as to the in
creased republican vote
There IS a certain hanging back on
the part of white women to register.
But the good women of the state
must overcome this reluctance
and be prepared to discharge their
civic and political duties as the nine
teenth amendment directs.
Cary 4. Hardee, candidate Of the
democratic party for the governorship
Of Florida, has made a strong apneaI
to the women of the state to exercise
their rights, and in that appear the
Herald joins. hoping that every white
woman whose natural leanings are to
ward the democratic party will see In
it that her name is on the registration
lists and that her ballot is counted on
the day Of electlon.-Miami Herald.
Prohibition in the United States has
attracted the attention of the entire
world, and Sir Auckland Geddes. British
Ambassador, is authority for the state
ment that the government of Great
Britain has asked for detailed reports
CT the proceedings Of the congress of
the United States. in relation to the
prohibition amendment and its passage.
Not only the British government. but
other governments, including Mexico,
are making studies of the sociological
and economic effects Of total absti.
nence.
The polls OF every county precinct
will be open tomorrow from eight in
the morning until sun down, and every
man and woman who is qualified
should cast their vote for the bond
election. There are no property quail
fications. Every woman who has reg
istered and every man who has paid