The Omaha guide., 1932-10-15
, EDITORIALS!~
WHY II NEGRO SHOULD DIVIDE HIS VOTE ON
NATIONAL ISSUES

/. The two outstanding parties have identically
the same stand so far as the Negroes rights and interests
are concerned. Party principles are laid down in their
national platforms, and cannot be judged by narrow local
provincial passions and p%rejudices. The Republican
Party wrote the Reconstruction Amendments into the
Constitution and still AYERS that it stands by these prime
ipleS. The Democratic platform of 1876 accepted the re-
vised Constitution. Since then there has been no diff
ferent prOnOuncement or action contrary to this declar-
alton, not even during the sixteen years when that party
was in control Of the national Government. In the pres
ent tense and active voice the Republican party does and
says nothing cOnstructively in behalf of the Negro. The
Democratic Party does and says nothing destructively a.
gainst him. Speaking from the board national viewpoint
the attitude Of the two have g~ravitated to equality, which
regret TO say is near the zero point.
So far as the two Chicago Conventions are concern
ed, the two platforms are identical in substance and vary
only in pharseOlOgy. The race has about as many we'll
wishers in one camp as the other. | cite the line up on
the Howard University appropriation as proof of this as
sertion.
2 The voting contingent Of the race is found in
the Northern and border states. We may as we'll rule
out of the universe of the present discourse the disfran-
cnlSed contingent IN eight OF the southern states. The
annullment OF the black mans constitutional rights in the
lower South is effected by local contrivance and national
connivance. The outcome Of the November election will
not affect this condition one way or the other. There is
no longer any force III the old argument that a Republic
an victory meant the restoration of the Negroes guaran-
teed rights in the South. Whether Hoover or Roosevelt
is elected in November, he viii leave the situation on
March fourth, 1887, just where he found it March fourth,
1888.
3 The patriotism, loyalty, wisdom and good will
q Ao hunger - SAdlAlcu > q LnOHOpOly IL duy On0 parry.
All wish the return Of prosperity and the coming of good
times as the economic desideratum. Neither has any
copyright method or infalible formula. Hoover and
Roosevelt are alike feeling after the better way, if haply
either might find it. There is no use for all to line up on
one side when both are cropping in the dark.
4 The bulk of the Negro voters in the next cleo
ton are under fifty years Of age. They should vote &C
cOrding to their emotions. Hitherto, the crafty polite
ians, white and black, have sought to play upon the Ne
gro's ~gullibility and have stampeded him into the party
pen like dumb driven cattle. The Northern Negro voter
finds that no other group allows itself to be thus STAN
peded: then why should he? Let the Negro vote for
Hoover or for Roosevelt, if he thinks best. But he should
not allow himself to be lured by the Lincoln lore or fright
ened by the Garner scare-crow. One can honor the prin-
elples Of Lincoln as well by voting for Roosevelt as for
Hoover.
3 The solid South and the solid Negro are the bane
OF our national politics. Neither will make any political
progress as long as they remain under bondage Of fear.
The Negro politicians will use the same tactics in 1882 as
they used IN lSS2-herd the Negro into the Republican
fold Tor fear Of the Democratic wolf. The race has made
no more political progress in fifty years than kiln dried
t1mOer. Dividing between parties, issues. men and meas
ures viii hberate minds and make for political growth and
development. 1t viii also lberalize both parties and
make Tor advancement all along the line.
8 On the ninth Of November, one of two results
will be announced-either Hoover or Roosevelt will have
been elected II viii be better for the race as a whole, in
either event, II MS vote shall have been divided and shall
have contributed substantially to the winning side. (a) If
Roosevelt wins, which is not unlikely, the race will be
greatly the gamer by helping to bring about such a result.