The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-31

4Ae Annual Radical Convenffos ID no"ss-
Speeches by Wendell Philippe Consress1an
us~u.rd Of Louisiana, and Ofherss

u1euard Of Isouisiauas and Otnerss
BOSTON, Jan. o. 1909
.na o,s Massachusetts, Ant-Slayery Society stil
poIonrs It's existence and every winter 1t furnishe
an opportunity for the past present and cominl
champions OF freedom TO spread their views befor
the country The Convention OF 1869 was held II
the horticultural Hall here to-day and there wer
Dresent the same old faces who have been reguia
visitors for the past thirtynve years. When the Con
vention was opened the irrepressible Wendell Phil
nps was the first 10 make himself heard, and b,
broke ice BY throwing upon the surface the fol
lowing series OF resolutions
u ss s Is ws ,s s
Victories we recognize in political prescription Of hundreds
Northern states in their social ostracism in the prevalent
81 4: the he
scve presence OF The unexorcssd spirit OF slavery and we
dom renewed and continued effort until complete triumph
.doas distinctions 81 color shan have been
Resolved That in the interests Of impartial freedom
she OF rebs the promotion OF
we Of q e Fo cons SonS
Of @ os o. he
Impartial Polca Rights BILL which shall secnrsn every
State all citizens the States, irrespective
complexion differences the right and eligibility 70
and prosperity OF the nation wen fidelity g s
pledges demand an 70 The ~ prohibit
lca rights privileges OF race color
Resolved, That beseech the nation end TO the
danger which has aogged me steps q The republic nos
appeals Congress, be irresstble
Resolved That urge the Legislature OF this commons
wealth now n % nc, our III and
uence and aid towards securing such amendment OF the
Resolved, That call the incoming administration for
such vigorous and impartial execution Of the laws - w
foreign Southern Northesp parts
Resolved, That IN conformity with the radical idea Of
=. pspeuy Of our spas
We Gallon legislatures everywhere and on the community
FOR the total Of the spirit OF caste wherever and
Resolved That we greatly deplore the incrcusabe and
christian indifference Of the large body OF popular churches
continued denial q iher rights in this critical hour Of ncom
81 Il a eas the % a .oes %
old time SINS Of the Jews but also TO cry aloud and spare
mission involving human rights OF compromising American
Resoved That we welcome to Boston meeting
the Hon s. Willis Aenard and the Hon. NJ Sims
s CT Oh s and the victims " present o. the o
Mr.. Phillips, after reading the resolves, made q
few remarks congratulatipg the convention upon
the presence OF Mr.. Sims, referred TO above, and
who is a brother OF Thomas Sims, who was carried
from Boston fugitive slave few years ago.
s. W. MESARp the Louisiana Congressman, was
the next speaker. Having pronounced eulogy
y
the colored men, he criticised IN language OF severity
the proceedings OF the government toward the rebels
saying that General Butler seemed TO be the only
man who understood how 10 deal with treason.
Jen Davis, the speaker thought ought TO be at the
Dry Tortugas instead OF being wtned ana dined by
the European nobility as at present. He thought
the great hope OF the future for the c0lored OF
the South the possession OF land. The pos
sessession OF the ballot would not alone insure
their personal independence and future progress.
The speaker continued by saying that he hoped that
the coored men would be freely criticised IN their
public conduct for thereby they would be instructed
and improved. He instanced the recent convention
Of coiored men at Washington, which he thought
was In some respects failure, ana OF which he
GREETED to see the Washington Chronicle had given
rose colored account He concl uded by detailing the
circumstances OF the election in Louis iana which
ne was elected Congress, and which he thought
the House committee would indorse Us o Legal and
proper election.
Mr. J. M. Sims was next introduced. and after a
reference to his former visit Boston proceeded
10 detail the condition OF the Southern colored men,
and described how the lands which had been given
fhem by General Sherman In Georgia, were afierward
taken away by Andrew Johnson under the amnesty
proclamation. This was q hardship Of the severest
sna 70 anehi, anu WORKED cohp,r's te.nporary
-DHieers and the army was in one or two cases nece
eary 70 quiet the uproar and confusion After the
excitement was over their first instructive effort
70 purchase land This still their chief desire,
and was almost a universal one. The speaker eulo
gized the work and the fidelity OF the teachers sent
down by the Freedmen's societies TO instruct the
blacks. The enthusiasm with which the freedmen ac-
cepted the ballot was also dwet upon. The orderly
character OF the election In the State Of Georgia
referred to- No disturbance or violation OF state
municipal law was reported, though 10000 black
votes and 10000 white votes were cast The
speaker thought that this first occasion Of the Of
the ballot by the colored men was triumphant
vindication OF what the aboifonlsts had
claimed for them in respect 20 the qualities
of manhood and good citizenship The ballot
ON the constitution was attended with some
scrowding aud eibowing. but no lighting occurred.
The whites were unarmed though not In very
peacable frame OF MIND. The speaker said that the
blacks had q decided majority IN the state, but In
Difference TO the advice OF their Northern white
friends they voted in many cases for white mem
abers Of the Legislature. Thus the whites obtained
D decided majority In both houses The coiored
men felt no apprehension, however. that their
spirs manifested by the whites In me constatonaI
Convention. II proved that they were sadly mis-
taken. and the black members were accordingly ex-
PEELED, thus multiplying the law OF Congress. Among
these white representatives was a Mr.. Turnkey,
pretended republican, who got only one white vote
IN hia county and that he cast himself. IL q
Javorite dodge OF the so-called republican Speaker
of the House TO vacate the chair IN favor OF demo-
ins the backs were desired Tweniy.iour were TINS
expelled because they were unmistakaby OF African
descent -Four were allowed TO remain few days
ALI it could be ascertained whether they had more
than one-cghth African blood Ia their veins, which
TACT being established they, too, were expelled.
After this q reign OF terror was attempted In the
state. and the Camilla outrage quickly followed.
The circumstances OF this anair were detailed by the
speaker and the murder Of walker was described.
The whites shot him several miles from the place
where the trouble began, aud resolved TO give hts
body to the After II had laid on the ground
four days negro went night and buried IL. but
before lie had reached his home he, too, was shot,
though not killed. During 1865 800 colored men had
been killed In Georgia by the whites and no arrests
had been made and more crimes OF all Kinds and
less punishment prevailed since the expulsion OF the
coiored from the Legislature and It's reconstruc
zion ON the principle OF white mans government.
Most Of the black leaders had ned 10 Atlanta, where
they now remain for safety.
Charles W. Slack, editor OF the Commonwealth. a
radical organ said that they were now on the eve OF
realizing the hopes and desires OF many years. for
Congress would soon give them the constitutional
amendment securing suffrage for the black luan,
and, he hoped also enfranohise the women OF The
country He did not believe, assome did. that there
was any considerable body III men Congress indlf.
Serent 20 the cause Of universal and equa rights In
TACT he did not believe that with a republican ma