The National Convention

The National Republican Convention, producing “one of the most remarkable documents” that is “especially gratifying to colored citizens,” challenges the Democratic Party’s view of “disfranchising colored citizens.”

The National Republican Convention has met and adjourned. The platform is one of the most remarkable documents as yet presented to the public and its skillful wording will serve as one of the best campaign documents of the century. The following references will be especially gratifying to colored citizens:
“It was the plain purpose of the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution to prevent discrimination on account of race or color in regulating the elective franchise. Decisions of State governments, whether by statutory or constitutional enactment, are revolutionary, and should be condemned.”
The above is strong language. It commits the Republican members of congress to a policy which will check this action which is “revolutionary and should be condemned.”
Will the nation heed this declaration? Will it check this evident disregard of the Constitution of the United States?
Senator Quay’s resolution to reduce the representation to the National Republican Convention from the South was unfortunate and seemed to be antagonistic to the sentiments herein expressed.
We are opposed to the policy of the administration in the Philippines, but in view of the Democratic attitude in disfranchising colored citizens by unconstitutional enactments in the several states, it seems that for him as vet “the Republican Party is the ship—all else is the sea.”
 

“The National Convention,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed March 21, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1311.