In this Election Day appeal from founding Communist Otto E. Huiswoud who describes the changing relationship of Black voters to the Republican Party in the late 1920s, and the emergence of the Communist Party as champion of Black freedom.

‘The Party For The Negro’ by Otto E. Huiswould from the Daily Worker. Vol. 5 No. 263. November 6, 1928.

Communists Alone Aid Struggle for Race Equality

Since the days of slavery the Negro has consistently supported the republican party. This whole-hearted and undivided support arose because of the belief that the republican party was the party of “freedom,” the party which, under the leadership of Abraham Lincoln had rescued him from that most brutal and vicious system of exploitation, chattel slavery. Taught by his leaders that he owes a debt of gratitude to the republicans because they “freed” him, he supports the party of big business, thereby unwittingly assisting in his own subjection. Thus assured of the Negro’s support, the republican leaders have never worried about the Negro vote. They have counted it before it was cast.

Reward to Lackeys.

Loyal services rendered by the Negro lackeys of the G.O.P. were rewarded with political appointments of one kind or another. A few were “honored” with such political plums as Recorder of Deeds, Collector of Customs, etc. Some, because they had played the game well and delivered the “sheep to the slaughterhouse,” were made National Committeemen in the south. These lackeys, of course, practically controlled republican politics in the south because the white south was largely democratic.

They never raised their voice in protest against the brazen manner in which the Negro masses, in a state of peonage, were driven with the lash to pick cotton for the enrichment of the southern Bourbons. Ostrich-like, they hid from the systematic exploitation and debasement of the masses. That lynching, disfranchisement, Jim-crowism and segregation were deliberately fostered to gain a certain end–the division of white and black workers, never concerned them. They sought to explain away these evils by saying that the “poor whites” are responsible for them and that the “better” class of whites, unable to control the mob, is against these practices.

Changing Conditions.

Changing industrial conditions in the south, however, have brought corresponding changes in the political situation. The manufacturing and industrial interests of the north are invading the south. Likewise the political party of the north–the republican party. And as a step in the direction of gaining a foothold and breaking up the “solid south,” the republicans are sacrificing their erstwhile loyal Negro supporters, whom they had crowned as leaders–Perry Howard, Ben Davis, Bob Church, etc., in order to supplant Negro political leadership with that of the “lily whites.”

Not only is the republican party silent on the burning issues affecting the Negro masses, but it openly caters to the prejudices of the south. Senator George H. Moses, eastern campaign manager of the party, reported at a meeting of the Woman’s National Republican Club that Ferdinand Q. Morton (Negro democrat), Civil Service Commissioner of New York, dictates to a white stenographer. “In Washington, there is no colored Civil Service Commissioner who dictates to a white stenographer of the female sex, such as I understand is done right here in New York,” he said. Catering to the base passions of the south, where Negro women may be ravaged with impunity, while the “sanctity” of white “womanhood” is upheld (against Negroes), the republicans are thus making a bid for southern support.

This campaign of anti-Negro propaganda and vilification indulged in, in order to placate the south, is part of the stock in trade of the democratic party also. Not only is the role of the two parties the same-service to the capitalist class, their method of hoodwinking, deceiving and cajoling the working class is alike. On the issue of keeping the Negro in his “place,” both parties show complete unity. They are the parties of the K.K.K., the American Legion and other terroristic organizations. In their campaign program not a word is written about the special abuses which is the lot of the Negro in this “democracy,” except a few hypocritical words uttered by the republican party about the necessity of a federal law against lynching. This, in spite of the fact that a republican congress more than once defeated the Dyer anti-lynching bill.

In order completely to assure the south that they are safe (in the southern sense) on the Negro question, both presidential candidates are as silent as the Sphinx on this burning issue. The “gentlemen’s” agreement that exists between the parties of big business, to keep the Negro at the bottom of capitalist society, to oppress and exploit him, is becoming increasingly evident to intelligent Negro workers. The old game of putting up Negro candidates in large cities, and then knifing them in the back, so that the white candidate of the opposing party will get elected, is being played all over again. In this manner they demonstrate their utter contempt for the Negro masses and their desire for elective representation.

Socialists No Better.

The socialist party is no better than its brother parties of the capitalist class, and their election campaign among the Negro workers is the biggest farce ever staged. The few “lame ducks” comprising the socialist branch in Negro Harlem are disgusted with the treatment meted out to them. They have been left in the cold to shift for themselves. Fighting for admission into “respectable” political circles, the socialist party dares not take up the cudgels for the Negro workers, fearing it may lose its “reputation” of being “safe and sane” for the bosses. Working hand in glove with the reactionary fakers of the American Federation of Labor in order to win the support of the labor aristocrats, who are opposed to the organization of Negro workers in the trade unions, the socialist leaders are just as silent on the Negro question as the two old parties. They cannot champion the cause of the Negro workers, for this calls for an open and courageous struggle against the very business interests from which they derive their support.

Confusion of “Leaders.”

In this election campaign the Negro leaders are shifting their support from one party to the other. So are the Negro masses. The largest and most influential paper, the “Chicago Defender,” has bolted the republican party and is supporting the democrats; the “Baltimore Afro-American” has openly denounced Hoover and the republicans. “The Crisis,” official organ of the N.A.A.C.P., “is sitting squarely on the fence, naked and unashamed and without apology.” William Pickens, well known as a “liberal,” says that “the democratic party should be smashed by the concentration of every Negro vote in support of Herbert Hoover,” and that Negro voters should “play practical politics in this election rather than sentimental.”

The revolt among the Negro workers against the two capitalist parties is increasing tremendously and is a constant source of worry to the leaders. But no matter what antics they perform, they cannot stem the tide. Old campaign promises do not avail now. It is deeds that count.

The Workers (Communist) Party is attracting numbers of Negro workers to its program of militant struggle in their behalf. In all sections of the country Negroes are rallying to the banner of the only Party that will courageously fight their battles, and demands for them, “full economic, political and social equality.” They are beginning to realize that the Party has translated into action its program, “In the land of lynch law we will denounce lynching” and “in the home of Jim-crow we will attack segregation.” They now see that these are living deeds and not mere promises.

Fear Communists.

As an indication of how effective the Party’s campaign among the Negro workers is, one may note the conspiracy of silence on the part of the leading Negro journals, such as “The Crisis” and “Opportunity.” While they mention all other parties, not one word is said about the Workers (Communist) Party and its activities among the Negroes. This is no mere accident nor ignorance of the facts.

By their acts the Negro workers will learn the truth about these scribblers and “penny-a-liners.” These parasites will be brushed aside like so much debris in the path of social development. These Negro editors are tied to the capitalist chariot, they are dependent upon philanthropy and doles from the master class.

But the Negro masses want equality–not alms!

Negro workers, you are exploited and oppressed as workers and as members of a racial minority. The capitalist class and its two big parties, the republican and democratic, are the parties of lynching, segregation and economic exploitation. The Workers (Communist) Party is the party that fights for the abolition of these conditions. Your place is within the ranks of this Party. Your duty is to struggle with the class-conscious white workers to abolish this hellish system of slavery. The solidarity of the black and white workers under the leadership of the Workers (Communist) Party is the only force that can strike a real blow for our final emancipation. Negro workers, vote the Communist ticket! Join the Workers (Communist) Party!

The Daily Worker began in 1924 and was published in New York City by the Communist Party US and its predecessor organizations. Among the most long-lasting and important left publications in US history, it had a circulation of 35,000 at its peak. The Daily Worker came from The Ohio Socialist, published by the Left Wing-dominated Socialist Party of Ohio in Cleveland from 1917 to November 1919, when it became became The Toiler, paper of the Communist Labor Party. In December 1921 the above-ground Workers Party of America merged the Toiler with the paper Workers Council to found The Worker, which became The Daily Worker beginning January 13, 1924. National and City (New York and environs) editions exist.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/dailyworker/1928/1928-ny/v05-n263-NY-nov-06-1928-DW-LOC.pdf