New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-02-27
Progress oG the Political Sanvass-inove-
n,oB, OF the Free CoIcrcd People for
suGrege-A sioscrHcH, OF tLeir Claims
A Delegation Gent TO Washington.
TTofn Oar Special Correspondent.

From Oar Special Correspondent.
NEN-ORLEASs Feb. 81, 1904
While enthusiastic meetings were holding last
evening In the different public squares Of this city
called together by bands Of music and torll gh pro-
eessions and immense plaeards with the names Of
favorte candidates for Gubnatorla honors enbazoned
thereon, another meeting quite important in many
respects and rs significant a the signs OF the times,
was quietly held Ia the old French part Of the city.
1t is probably well known that the free colored popu
lstiOn Of NowOreans in Intelligence public spirit and
ateral wealth surpess those of the same class In INV
other city Of the Union. Many Of these gentemeI
have been highly educated, have Travelled extensively
IN this and foreign countries speak end read the French
Spanish and English languages 1uentH, and in the TX
change Rooms. at The Stock boards WELD on influence
any time fully equal t. the number Of white capi
ta1sts Before tue war they represented in tits cit!
Alone hiteen millions Of property. and were heavily
taxed 10 support the schools of the State but were NO
allowed 20 claim the least benefit therefrOn.
These gentlemen. representing much intelligence.
cnltuTe and wealth and who would notwithstanding the
fct that they oil hsVe negro Hood in their veins adOIn
any circle Of society in the North who would be { ken
spon Broadway for educated and wealthy Cuban plant
ers rather than free negrNs, and although many Of
them have themselves held slaves have always been
loyal to the Union. and today the sincerest and
frmest friends Of the Nation IL New0T.eans.
The meeting held last evening called in part 10
receive Col. James McKaye. Of the Freedmen's Com
mission, 10 hear address from him, and 10 appoint a
Committee 10 wait upon the President Of the United
States and the National Congress, and petition for the
right # Suffrage.
Major b. Rush Plumiy and several Other s,aIcl GvO
Of human rights the entire audieuce 10 their
feet ard received them with enthusiastic applause.
After the Chairman, Nelson Pavaean, had introduced
the gentlemen 70 tie audience in the French and Ell
glish languages Col McKaye and addressed the
meeting at length. He urged upon them tie iDpor.
lance Of GiScardng all ideas Of caste and superiority
on account Of their wealth and intelligence 10 labor for
the elevation Of those Of their who have but recent
Is been emancipaed from Slavery and 10 demand their
rights upon the brood ground that they Nerc human
beings created IL the image OF God, with nteccts aud
hearts and wilsthat they possessed faculties ac.
quire knowledge, 10 Accumulate property TO increase
the wealth of the nation and the strength and the will
70 defend their country against foreign and domestic
foes He expressed d0ubt that the time would
when the fee c0lofed people would be allowed the
right Of suffrage upon educational property quail
ihcation-that ell willie men were not competent 70
vote ntengeny ana tia; negroes WHO have .oAg been
he'd IN slavery II allowed 70 flock TO the polls indi
crmnatey. would be but the Instruments in the hands
OF demaSogues for tho accomplishment VI base pur
poses.
l regret that cannot give you full report Of the
abe address Of Col McKaye. An that he said was
warmly applauded, although no extrayagaut views
with regard TO the immediate Accomplishment Of their
objects were held cut 10 them. lis views were broad
and statesmanke. and presented with ciearness
Of thought and elegance Of dlction.
AfteT Col. McKaye bad concluded, MOTOR Plainly
addressed the meeting lie referred TO the past when
New Orleans seemed in danger Of being Tetaken BY the
Rebel forces under Gen. MagTuder, when those free
coloIed people before him rose en- rass closed their
offices aud stores armed and organized themselves into
- fotiIen's anu Iot 81 weeks aOlDuoueu thcr DuS
ness and stood ready 10 fight for the defense VI New
orleans, while at the time not single white
regimen, from the original white inhabitants was
raised.
II these mon, patriotic 70 intelligent 80 ready to
sachce their lives for their country and representing
~ much wealth and culture not competent 70
vote nc knew not who were In strain OF feTyiG clio.
quenee he encouraged them in the belief that 70 far AZ
tLey ware concerned, the prayer they were about to
sehd up TO the President and TO Congress would be
beard tAoughtiuy considered, and before the close
" t1c present session OF Con gTess. granted
hAlor finniys remarks frequently interrupted
oy sppanse Indeed he seemed to be wei known, and
After addresses by several Others In the French Ian
guage, the meeting adjourned
j. IL. Rondanez aud Arnold Bertoman gentlemen
well known In business circles In wCnlenns mud in
every respect accomplished and able men are .he del
egaes selected to visit Washington and REPRESENT The
Interests Of the free men Of color in New Orleans