They Are Not Ingrates

Editor of Argus, - Af ter reading an artiole writteu by Mr. H. .lohnsoii, barber, of Ann st. , I wish to auswer hiin on bebalf of the Afro-American race. We are not political slaves, but free thiukers, aud are given the ballot to use just as our conscienoe diotates to us and not as other men would have us do. When Mr. Johnsou refers to the republioan party fraeing the race he must remember it is uot the party of today be refers to. Frorn the way colored people see the republican aud democratie parties today, they are both equal to the occasion in the way of giving our race a chance with other taces. We know of niany good colored citizens who are demócrata and are respecten by both parties, aud holding honorable positions under Cleveland's adrninistration, and who respect their homes and love their mothers. The republican party has done some grand, good acts. Nevertbfiless, I do not feel that sbe is my ruotber or that she owdb me as her political slave. Mr. Johnsou's version of repnblicanism is out of date in these days, atnoug people who read aud study the welfare of their race. He claims a coloied man is an ingrate aud not fit to be recoguizad by decent people uuless he votes the republicau ticket, but what does he consider a man that will vote just as some one le'.ls him? Does he exercise the judgruent he has himself ? No, he is only a tooi. We owe notbing to auy party; we owe our country our best judgrnent fo: tne good of our country. Men who were with tbe republican party during the war which freed our race are leaders in the democratie party today. No party has a right to wield a lash over us to make na vote as they please withoat our exeroising any judgment of onr own. The day when our voters cast their votes on present issues, and divide between the parties as our varying jndgments díctate, will mark the time when more atteDtion will be paid to our wishes and we will be more generally- regarded as freemen. Ann Arbor, Oct. 14, 1890.