The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-17

ored men commenced its sessions IN w ASH
ington City, on Thursday last. Delegates
were present from all the States, and the
proceedings were characterized by harmony
and enthusiasm. We copy as follows from
the Washington Star:
"THE NATIONAL EQUAL RIGHTs LEAGUE
CONVENTION OF CoLoRED MEN.-A meet
ing of this convention was held yesterday
morning at the Union League Rooms, and
was called to. order by J. M. Langstcn, of
Ohio. Devotional exercises were conducted
by Rev. Elisha Weaver, of Philadelphia
After organizing, the convention resolved
into committee of the whole, and an adj
dress Was delivered by C. H. Langston, of
Kansas. A committee on business, consist
ing of nine members was appointed. The
following vice presidents were elected
Bishop A. w. Wayman, of Md; w. D.
Mathews, of Kansas; W. Nesbit, of Pa;
Rev. R. J. Robinson, of Ohio. A finance
committee was appointed. and Dr. S. Brown,
of Md, and r. B. Johns, of N. j., with the
president. were appointed to draft an address
to Congress. After some other business, the
convention adjourned until evening.
At the evening session, the business COM
mittee reported series of resolutions, which,
after long debate, were adopted. The res
lutions declare that the government has no
more right to deprive man of his vote than
of trial by Jury that all laws which make
discrimination on account of race or color
are unconstitutional and void; declaring
that the colored race have the right to the
ballot because they are citizens, taxpayers.
and patriots, and it is natural and inhe-
rent right; claim a fair and impartial trial
by jury for their race; declare that the citi-
zens of one State are entitled to all the priv
icges and immunities of citizens in several
States, and they ask the establishment of a
national standard of qualifications, which
shall be uniform and universal, &c, &c.
The chair said it was proposed to hold one
of the greatest meetings here ever held in
this city. There were several gentlemen who
wire very radical and earnest. He alluded
to the once Governor of Texas, Hon. A. J.
Hamilton, [appause.] George Julian, of
Ind; Col Moss. of Mo; Col. w. j. Stokes,
of Tenn, and Col. r. J. Hinton, of Kansas,
who would be present.
The names of Hon Chas. Sumner, of
Mass, and Judge Kelly, of Pa, was sugges-
ted
A committee was appointed to wait Oh. the
gentlemen named and invite them to the
meeting onight.
1t was sus ,Ss:cI. that some gentlemen of
the white race as well as Of the colored, be
elected honorary members of the Convention.
The suggestion was seconded, and the fol-
lowing were proposed Senator Sumner,
Chief Justice Chase, Hon. Thaddeus Stevens,
Judge w. D. Kelly, Gen. Garfield, of Ohio;
Hon. Frank Thomas, of Md, Hon. Sidney
Clark. of Kansas; Hon. T. Frelinghuysen,
Col. Given, of Ohio; Gen. o. o. Howard, j.
R. Elvans, of this city; Judge Bond, of Bal
timore; Gen. Gregory, Gen. j. NJ. Ashley. K.
Stockett Matthews, Of Md; Hon. Mr.. Stock
bridge, of Md; Sayles J. Bowen, Postmas-
ter; VIM. Lawrence.
The name of Senator Salisbury. of Della
ware was proposed by Rev. E. Weaver.
The chair remarked that he could not en-
terrain the name of a man tainted with trea-
son. Senator Saulsburys name was not en-
tertained.
The nominations were continued, as fol-
lows Col Stokes, of Tenn; Gen. Schenck.
of Ohio; Fred Douglas, Hon. NJ. Cathell, of
n. j.; Attorney General Hoyt, of Kansas;
Horace Greeley; The chair remarked that
he could not endorse the Tribune philosophers
peculiar notions as to free suffrage and gen.
eral amnesty j Col. Forney, W. W. Holden,
Theo Tilton, Chas. G. Finney, of Oberlin,
Ohio; Ex-Gov. Andrews; Major G. L.
Stearns of Mass; Gen. Van Wyck, Rev. D.
A. PAYNE, Gov. Brownlow, Garrett Smith,
W. L. Garrison, Gen Butler, Senator Trum-
bull. J. F. Cook, John G. Whittier, Rev. II.
II. Garnett, Carter A. Stewart"
The following resolutions were adopted by
the Convention:
Resolced, That the right to vote is an es-
sential and inseparahle part of self-govern-
ment, and therefore natural and inalienable;
and that while Government may exercise, it
has no more right to deprive citizen of its
use than it has to deprive him of his right
to an impartial trial by a jury of his legal
peers.
Rss07red, That the feature which distin-
cuisines the American Government more than
any other is its ample and positive recogni-
Of self-government it is therefore in the
name of this doctrine that we, an integral
portion of the American population, make
our claim to equality before the law, believ-
ng that all laws and parts of laws which
discriminate against us by reason OF
,ur race or color, are unconstitutional and
Goid
Resolced. That d" taxation without repre-
is tyranny :" especially is this true
n Government whose foundation principle
S the equality of its people and especially,
llso, is this true when those are compelled
% paw taxes and vet denied representation
% the Government by heoric and manly
leeds in hotly contested but victorious bat
le This is indeed tyranny intensified,
lot unmingled with dastardly meanness
md cold-hearted ingrattude. We claim,
therefore,,
First. The right to WELD the ballot, be-
ause we are American citizens, and as such
untitled to it.
Secondly. Because we are taxpayers and
IS such justly entitled to full representation
n the State and Federal Governments.
Thirdly. Because we are patriots, and as
UGH have proved our loyalty to the country
~ our sclfsacrificing behavior in the hour
# her sorest trial.
Fourthly. Because 1t is natural and in
lerent right. pertaining to every native-born
Imerican Citizen, whether white or black
Who has reached his majority.
ResolUed, That we believe in the constitu-
ional doctrine that in all prosecutions the
csused shall enjoy the right of a speedy and
'ublic trial by an impartial jury of the State
nd district wherein the crime shall have
een committed" and lin suits at common
aw, where the value in controversy shall ex-
eed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jul
v shall be preserved ;" hence we claim for
he colored American throughout the coun-
ry a fair and impartial jury trial by his le-
al equals, and this is only attainable by his
onpete enfranchisement.
II