Archibald Henry Grimké: “They were then and they continue to be the greatest obstacle to the freedom and advancement of the Negro as an American…”

But to do this, to realize on their party promises and pledges to the people, they must have votes, not mere good will which can not translate itself into effective support on election day.

Colonel Roosevelt, as the leader of the new party, recognized at his full political value the Negro in states where his vote is counted, and perceived the very slight value, potential and actual, as a party asset of the Negro in states…

That colored men with the ballot should be rated in terms of the political game higher than other colored men who have it not, violates no rule of business ethics.

And this one thing needful, I believe, the Progressive Party brings to the solution of the problem, and that it formed the underlying motive and the statesmanlike purpose of the action at Chicago last August of Theodore Roosevelt.