The Tribune

Republicans Lose Charm On Negroes

Roanoke's greatest non-partisan political meeting Tuesday night gave conclusive proof that the Republican Party, once known as the "Negro's party," has definitely lost its age-old charm on the Negro voters.

Dr. Marshall Shepard of Philadelphia, Pa., spoke on behalf of Gov. Stevenson and Senator Sparkman, representing the National Democratic ticket for President and Vice, was frequently interrupted by the audience with long and hilarious applause. While admitting that Dr. Shepard is an orator equaled only by few men, there was every indication that he spoke the sentiment of his vast audience.

But when Henry Lincoln Johnson, Jr., of Washington, D. C., one of the most prominent attorneys of our race spoke on behalf of General Eisenhower and Senator Nixon, Republican candidates for President and Vice, respectively, that great audience of Negroes actually froze up, applauding only at great intervals. In spite of Attorney Johnson's eloquent and passionate plea for the Negroes to support the Republican ticket they gave no sign of heeding his request. And when he turned to that outmoded argument of what Abraham Lincoln did for the Negro in the infancy of the Party, it only served to remind them of their last experience of Republican administrations. They seemingly have resolved never to vote for the return of those unforgettable and unhappy days.

During the decades when the Negro through his emotional loyalty to the Republican Party voted exclusively Republican, the GOP took advantage of his good intentions and considered the Negro vote "in the bag" as a bloc. But when the Negro became more enlightened he discovered that he was being betrayed by people he trusted as his friends. And when he was thoroughly convinced that the Republicans had deserted the very principle of their Party, the Negro had no other alternative but to seek friendship elsewhere.

Out of the Negro's long years of loyalty to the Republican Party, the Democratic Party considered it fortunate to have such people affiliated with them and extended the olive branch of peace and cooperation. What could the Negro do but accept? His switch has proven beneficial not only to his race but to our country at large.

No doubt the Republicans would do better now if they were given a chance. But we are indebted to the Democratic Party and we must be true to those who trust us. The Negro has learned that the most effective way to help himself is by using his vote to the best interest of all the people around him, regardless of race, color or party affiliation. Woodrow Wilson once said, "We cannot become thorough Americans if we think of ourselves in groups— America does not consist of groups." The Negro had to learn that the hard way. Nevertheless, that he has learned it was evidenced at the non-partisan political meeting in Roanoke Tuesday night.