873

4

the Progressive candidate about 40 per cent, the Republican candidate Wm Taft the
remainder.

You are no doubt aware of this fact that without the electoral
vote of Massachusettes, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and
Michigan, each of which are considered debatable states and in each
of them the colored vote is the balance of power, you could not have been
elected. You therefore owe very largely to this class of voters you now ignore
your present place as President of this Country.

Mr. Cleveland, when he became President conceived the happy thought
that if colored men could ably represent the country in the diplomatic
field in what was known as the Black Republic they were rightfully
entitled to represent this nation in other Republics on the continent
and following this thought named several to South American States. They
failed in being confirmed owing to the United State Senate at the time being of
an opposite political faith, this can be said of both of Cleveland's admin-
istrations he was a true friend of the Negro race and had the backbone to
stand by them and to see that justice and right was accorded them. This was
at a time when there were but few colored men who could be induced
to vote the Democratic Party ticket unlike the many, who at the last Nation-
al contest cast their ballots in your favor.

Have you, Sir, attempted in the slightest way to fulfill any of the pledges
that you have made? Unfortunately up to this date those who have loyally
rallied to your standard and supported you have been cast aside. They have asked
of your head, you have handed them a stone instead.

The happy relations that have existed between the clerks of the several Depart-
ments for their many years, you and some of the members of your Cabinet
have endeavored to sunder in the effort made to segragate them to separate rooms.
This