Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-02-19
Meeting of the CoIored People Of the
Second Ward

Il.
ored) Presby terrain church. which was quite
largely attended. AmJn- thOsa present were
anumber of white persons. lad.es Included }
This meeting was hello unGeT the auspices of
u. :. A. CouBcil No IL, 90 which NJ Piper Is
president. w. III. Stor eT. chairman OF the
csmnittee of arrangen en 2. took The chair and
John w. Curry.acted as ~errPtary.
After Voluntary the organ. PRAYER was
offered by Rev. ID. W. Anderson, in which he
asked God to "have compassion on Andrew
Jonnsen,'sut not to exhaust Heavens store on
such a wretch
The chairman stated that the object OF the
meeting was to return thanks to Congress for
the great boon conferred on them and to dis
cnss the new relations in which they stood
Messrs. N. B. Myns, O. q. Fisher, Thomas
Foot, Samuel Peters, and Thomas Williams.
were appointed committee 10 draft reselu-
| tions, and while they were absent the secre
tary read letters from Messrs. A. q. Hall, John
X. Elyans, and S. J. Bowen.
Mr.. Elvans, in his letter, says :-"If 1 sup-
posed for moment hat eolored men so far
lacked Judgment intelligence and indepen-
dence as class as to be necessdrily compelled to
vote with and for the political party TO winch
the granting Of tie elective franchise to them."
:" Will not insult you and your
colleagues (who, as leading men among the
colored citizens Of this city, have already
shown so conclusively your knowledge of the
"situation'D by attempting to give you grafu-
itous advice, but allow me, through YOU, to
urge upon those OF your brethren on whom the
great boon Of equal rights has fallen with such
startling change OF position-upon those who
will soon be men indeed, while yet sore under
the lash OF the slave driver-upon those who,
coming to us from plantation life, have been
allowed no chance TO learn nor time to become
self-relianf-that such colored citizens plant
to appreciate the importance Of education
morality and industry conditions necessary
in every American freeman; that they be con-
vinced that individual and Official Integrity
in voter and public officer should 20 hand in
hand with party preference; that the candi-
date for office who would tamper with or pur-
enase Ireemans yots is unworthy Of con-
hdence or support"
Mr.. Bowen says in his letter al can act
with tar more efficiency than 1 can speak"
trust 1t requires no public decla-
ration from me TO convince the coiored people
of this District of my disinterested friendship
for them. The best evidence Of that lies in NV
In their midst when, through good and evil
report, from first to last, have battled for
their interests, and used whatever OF mn uence
and talent possessed to bring about the great
and important changes that have cuiminated
in the extension OF suffrage to all classes, with
out regard TO race, color or condition"
Mr. Hall says :-"lt is unnecessary for me
70 express my views or define my present po-
sl:ion on the all absorbing questions OF the day
which is simply justice to all. am now
where 1 have always been-for the perfect
equality OF all men before the law"
The committee on return ng reported the fol-
lowing resolutions which were read and laid
on the table until 1Oo'clock:
Whereas q majority of the white male citi-
zens OF this District did strenuously oppose the
right Of the colored man to vote, and deny them
the rights and inmunites conceded to ali other
cltizensi and whereas they did petition the
Congress Of the United States not to gran. i'm
partial or universal suffrage, declaring that il
would be detrimental TO the pu blic interest and
inlmlcal to the great majority Of its people;
and whereas we have been relieved OF the iron
neei OF oppression by Divine inspiration:
Resolved, That the colored citizens Of the bis.
trict return thanks and offer their gratitude to
God, and tender their heartfelt thanks and un.
dying gratitude to the loyal Congress, for grant.
ing to them the great boon which liberty calls
for and all freemen love TO enjoy-the risht To
vote; and further
Resolved, That they pledge to prove them
best interest Of the people, and especially our
friends who erased from the nations history
the blaekest page that ever veiieo q nations
glory. and further pledge that they will not
support any person or persons as candidates
for election to offioe whole principles are not
known TO be in sympathy with equality and
justice before the laws.
John Thomas johnson, colored, was intro
ducsd, and proceeded TO speak Of the changes
wrought in this District. They coald rscolIect
when here in the Capitol was . slave mart and
laws which oppressed them, among others, the
ten O'Clock law, were on the statute book He
spoke OF the colored people for years paying
taxes for the education Of the whites, and e1-
pressed his qualification that they as people
were now entitled By law to q proportion Of
that fund. As for the eolored men not beng
prepared to vote, he contended that many
'colored race who were not well oualified.
could do as the whites, and proceeding, he
argued that the coiored men had earned the
rights given them. In conclusion he urged
that they should not allow the death of John
Brown TO be in vain, but should do their duty,
and make his spirit rejeiee. .5 =
VIM. Wells Brown, OF Boston, followed, and
after alluding to the fault being found with
Congress for its seeming slowness, said that
they haveeyerything to thank Cougress for
few years since ii had been stated q slave
No w q q a inst NJ
which were oppressive to the race, they have
been repealed: and they now stood forth as
citizens. having the privilege over those grant
ed IN that con temptible city Of Philadelphia,
in riding in the street cars. He ad yised the
audience to follow the white man In his good
acts 60 wherever he goes. except to the States
prison. (Laughter.I This meeting would hold
up the hands OF their friends in Congress and
they would 60 on and give something better
He was iejoiced when he last week read OF
the appointment Of q eolored man to a nrst
class clerkship, and to hear that others occu.
pied positions almost similar. They should
not depend too much on Congress, but on them
their own resources. they were qualified for
the suffrage. Here in the District their infiu.
ence should be felt. He hoped that the day
was not isI d,san. wnsI they would have
he believed would be supported and DO OF
much value to the race.
Professor Wilson, Of this city, followed. and
expressed his gratifcation At being able to be
present and with his fellow.men returning
thanks to Congress. They were now about 70 |
take their first lesson in American politics, and
they should avoid the errors Of those now
exercising the right OF suffrage. He referred to
the fact that the colored people last week de-
posted over four thousand dollars in the
Freedmens savings Bank In this city, as An
evidence Of their thrift. After telling q few
anecdotes, he urged that they should make the
old political hacks dance. -. = :
Rev. 3 3. Sumner (white) advised them to
vote right, ana remarked that every man who
failed to vote right injured the men Of mis- race
throuRhou: the United States, and they should
allow NO one to induce them to vote for any
persons out those who are right. There were
weakened men IN Congress-men who had
voted for the eu6rage bill-Who have since
told ont for once or pesitiou. ....-z
Ten O'Clock having arrived. the resolutions
reported BY the Committee were tsken mp.
Mr.. B. j. Brown moved IN amendment ten.
derinG the thAnks Of the meeting TO Col. John
w Forney for his efforts In behalf OF the race,
which was accepted. ,.,.,
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