The Records of the Parties

                             and the Men.


   In an attempt to mislead the Afro-American voters of Ohio, the
Democratic State Committee is distributing anonymous circulars alleged
to have been written by "Colored Patriots."
   In these circulars, they undertake to show how friendly the Demo-
cractic party has been to the Afro-American, and for that alleged reason,
advises them to vote for John R. McLean for Governor.
    To those who may be misled by the misrepresentations in their cir-
culars, attention is invited to the record of the Democratic party toward
our people in this State.
    On May 26, 1859, the Ohio Democratic party in its State platform
approved the "Fugitive Slave Law," and bitterly denounced the Repub-
lican party for opposing said law. The Cincinnati Enquirer vigorously
applauded that platform, and in its effort to defeat the Republican party
by appealing to race hatred and prejudice
    Held us up to ridicule as the "Blubber Lipped Negro."
    On July 5, 1860, the Ohio Democratic party in its State platform
again approved the "Fugitive Slave Law" and declared against granting
us the right to vote, in the following brutal language:
    "Resolved, THAT WE ARE OPPOSED TO THE POLICY OF
ALLOWING NEGROS, MULATTOS OR OTHER PERSONS OF
VISIBLE ADMIXTURE OF AFRICAN BLOOD THE RIGHT OF
SUFFRAGE, OR ANY OTHER POLITICAL RIGHT."  The En-
quirer gave this platform its hearty support and said, "Republicanism is
negro equality and is not true to its profession unless it is negro
equality."
    On August 21, 1862, the Ohio Democratic party, in its platform, de-
clared against the emancipation of the slaves. The Enquirer was the
able champion of this platform.
    On June 11, 1863, the Ohio Democratic party, in its platform, de-
clared against the Emancipation Proclamation and denounced Abraham
Lincoln and all abolitionists. The Enquirer was found in line fighting
for this platform.
   On August 24, 1865, the Ohio Democratic party, in its platform,
again
             Declared against "negro suffrage,"
and characterized the effort being made by the Republican party to give
us the right to vote as" AN INSIDIOUS ATTEMPT  TO  OVER-
THROW POPULAR INSTITUTIONS BY BRINGING THE
RIGHT TO VOTE INTO DISGRACE." THE ENQUIRER WAS
IN PERFECT HARMONY WITH THIS DECLARATION, AND
THOUGHT OUR VOTING WOULD DISGRACE THE AMERI-
CAN BALLOT.
    On January 8, 1867, and again on January 8, 1868, the Ohio Demo-
cratic party, in its platforms, declared against "negro suffrage."  The




			

OHS Archives/Library Pamphlet Collection

Address to the Afro-Americans of Ohio

R.