Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-12-13

w. eAC'pl W ~ OPENS tue WY Iot 4
"a new status for the colored people
~ Delaware.
There has always been lot Of |
patter about who are the real friends
Of the colorcd people. Leaving out cleo
ton day. there IL no difference. All de-
cent white people are friends of the
Negro and want TO see him self5re-
speeding and prosperous. But n the
truth must bc told. nobody respects
the voter who is bought. neither the
buyer nor his political opponent.
II In TO he hoped that the colored
people will never again M a block
support either political party. for re-
ward or otherwise. The colored citi-
zen should vote his individual senti-
men,s. lie must vote. not as n Negro.
hut M an American citizen, II he is
going to gain elf-Se-pect and win
the respect Of others.
The best advice that can be given
tn the colorcd man H. that ne refuse 10
be led by the nose by low politicians
white or black: that he refuse 10 be-
bossed 10y n type uf preacher who
organizes his flock into political
club that may bc voted solidly; and
] Al. l.. III
citizen il supposed 90 vo,c--for the
good Of the state and Nation.
When the coiorod citizens Of Della
ware begin to do this. without rql,-
Ing for inducements from anybody.
they win not be Obliged tp Hg.,ate
for their rights: these will be accorded
naturally and inevitably.
Now that the Negro has asserted
his Independence. many Republican
leaders feel outraged and betrayed
hut they have no occasion for sur
prise and complaint. II many ~ these
voters have been held In line for q
consideration. tho obligation 20 stay
nut" ceases when the consideration
ceases. Whoever buys vote for tor
dollars. whether the voter loo black nj
white, has placed n value on the com
modify and has educated the voter q
, trade In the highest market. lie ha
, no perpetual mortgage on that vote.
II the Democratic politician rs
q, sumes that tho Negroes have com
to admire his party and can 10 IN
o duccd To support II on masse. he Wi
!. soon be dislllusioned. For. when b
o. begins to offer special Inducements
o no will find ardent bidders on IN
=. other side. and then the last state q
the colorcd man will be worse tina
, tho FIRST lie will become a pawn {
d, be scrambled for and will not be re
., rardcd as "A mere good citizen VIII
- will support measures and men a
, duty directs.
=. The citizen Of DelawAre who ha
:. any pride in his State and wants
N, see its affairs administered cconom
= cally. will take some comfort fro
l. the recent election and resolve tha
20 as far as his Influence goes. thel
!, shall be no step backward. Wheth'
Ia Democrat or Republican. he Will tai
IN his stand on the proposition tn
AZ there shall be no return 10 debauch'
D. elections. II any voter. white or blac
will not vote without special Undue
ID ment. let that voter disfranchise hir
o. self.
"A In that direction lies self-respe
10. for all people. white or black. The
90 lies the road Of democracy. People M
re vote foolishly at times: they may c
.ir press disgust and revenge: but aft
all. h is their own government a
a. they can rectify their errors. But VIII
70 elections are won by money. tn
II money-consCiencele MONEYS I
A. government and democracy has IA
liz ed.
.et It is a sad commentary on demo
IS racy 70 say that men have held {
ed most important offices in this sta
TO- making and administering our Law
-, ,,.,., MT tho frca choice OF q
m people. That it shall never occur as'
T. rests ON the conscience Of our poo
hit Republicans and Democrats VII
)m and black