New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-28
KENTUCKY.


STATE CONVENTION OF CoLoRED CITIZENS.
| Convention of the colored men of Ken
lucky in which nearly every county in the State was
represented assembled at Frankfort nst and
after session OF two days adjourned Thursday
ing, the 2ith The proceedings throughout marked
by quiet earnestness and good Elder H. j. Young
OF Louisville presided assisted by several cePresdent
and Secretaries. Among the resolutions adopted were
Resoired. l. Recognizing the changed condition OF pub
lilo affairs by which we have been invested with the rights
OF cltllensip ana approaching our new political ela
tons and responsibilities thereby imposed, we first
ascribe all praise TO Him from whom all blessings how
ana next we declare our gratitude TO inc statesmeh
warriors, and patriots who have upheld ING federal
Government, and made II indeed republican in FORM
guaranteeing TO us and our posterty the blessings OF
| civil and religious liberty.
pies OF the Declaration OF Independence ta ali men are
created equal ana tnat since the nation mas pueSu sI
all without reference TO color or previous eOnd
ton, we pledge its maintenance our lives our for
tunes and our sacred honor" and politically we will
affiliate with the Republican party Of progress and CIVIL
zaOn which has been the instrument in the hands OF
Providence for the attainment by us OF the blessings ana
esored g. That we regard the passage and ratification
by the requisite number Of states OF the Pogrteenth ana
States simply act OF justice 10 people long and
unusty deprived OF civil and political rights. and We
sures, and policy of the Republican party which brought
about tins result so long as they are by inc
same liberal spirit and enlightened legislation which
Resolred 8 That we heartily indorse the administration
of President T. Grant and look to Congress TO secure
to us by appropriate legislation our and legal
rights, which denied to us by the dominant party IN
our state.
Resoired That as attentive observers ofevens,w
manifested toward our race by the ''so-caed" Demo
party of this State In denying us access TO courts
OF law IN excluding Us from any part IN thc Common
School fund derived in part from taxes collected from US
IN imposing on each OF Us an unjust ana Oppressive
pOll-tax of two dollars than q white person;
in discriminating against us IN the homestead law IN re
fusing TO protect us IN our rights OF me- liberty a9u pro
perry; in sgmatizng US unit TO enter The witness
box aud seek the protection OF law IN refusing te use
of the Legislative Hall for state Convention aud IN
seeking to degrade us by every means Wlch p'luslh
spleen suggest and we declare our purpose 10 Pro
perry remember TINS treatment at the balotboX ana 10
exercise rights OF suffrage IN Vindcd0u OF our
selves. and to cooperate with those VINO nave Deen our
friends and who have stood by the hour OF our al
versy and lifted us from bondage to the dghl! Oi Irce'
Pesotred C. That we will treat with scorn and regard
as an insult TO our manhood any attempt, from any
source to influence our votes Dy threats c [Ji 10
bribery or yenay ana we 90 not regard any TooTeI
friendship or association.
RESOLVED. That cordially and heartily indorse and
Nec Era, Lexington Statesman, Frankfort Commonwealth
and all other papers that advocate cause. ana Will
endeavOr by all honorable means TO increase er ercu
laOn. thereby giving strength ana NgOr 10 the spread
Resolred That this Convention recommend that the col
ored citizens each county in this State form themselves
NAV be instructed in the political of the day.
Resolred, That this Convention recommend grand
every town and city when the proclamation shall have
been issued by the Secretary of state.
tona by the civil courts Of Kentucky and the right to
testify in the civil courts OF the STAT denied to us ana
whereas, the cOOred people OF the state OF Kentucky
but three places where justice is metcd out 70 cu
and il Is patent that the Federal Court, constituted
cannot attend half the presented therefore be 10
Res0ired, That this Convention petition Congress
through Judicisry Committee, TO grant additional
Federal Courts until testify in all tie Courts with
out let or hndrance.
Committee reported, ana the convention unanimous
y adopted, the following
ADDRESS TO THE CoLORED CITIZENS or KENTUCKY.
FELLOW CITIZENS We. your representatives assembled
in state Convention having completed the business
which you have delegated to us respectfully ASK at the
close of our labors address you earnestly IN reference
10 the condition which We now occupy IN TINS the siato
OF our nativity. The duties and respoilsibscs lhcnn-
bent upon us status in politics demand h
be received with mat que cohsIdSaloh ,.'u ~
sariy demands. We therefore address you under Tar
different circumstances from those on former occa'
slOps our citizenship has been ACKNOWLEDGED. ana the
ballot accorded TO all of by threcourths OF tie
Legislatures Of the states in the United states Of America
We ask you will join IN prayer and alteration 20 the
great Creator who through the ordering Of lis provi
hearts beat unison with throughout this broad
domain Emancipation complete ana H IL, a nhed
march that goal of happiness that the boast
Fellow Cit2ens: Amid these blessings we have in
our several localities difficulties yet tooyercomc mass
of prcudices in the hearts OF those. whose training has
grown up with the growth Of the nation. Let Us not be
discouraged but firmly and earnestly trust IN the same
God who has conferred so many blessings upon us IN the
past will be equally mindful OF us In the fnture
The dominant party IN our state are uh"nE 70 ACCORD
10 those nights winch are SO utar 20
ireemen; but may ,, we not hope with Inc
OF the fHtecnth Rmelhuithtt lHaJ
thew will accept the situation and accord TO us those
inst rights so long batted for and dearly by the
friends of our race. Shall the cOlOred men OF Ken
fucy ask their hands than is accorded to our
brethren further SOuthi Nay, we believe not In
slavery, we endured all the hardshs incumbent upon
me- as slaves; as frccmen demand all the emOlu-
mems that the franchise has bequeathed unto US.
IL may be you, fellOwcitizens that, III the
event Won exercise your manhood by casting "a bal
lot for the candidate most cOngena TO your leelngs
fnroyidcd he be candidate OF the R6puDucan party
that YOU will be discharged from your situations when
employed by the OppOston-perhaps driven roln'tne
fownsIp or county intmidatiOns OF various KINDS VIII
he presented hut entrcat yOu brothers 10 stand n
sell not your brthright for mess OF pOttagc' 1Ou
know in whom you have trusted; the same COD VIII de
Poltjcal clubs should formed in every district and
townshp and anCes formed with our white republican
brohers so that those who not informed may nave
the benefit of their counsel but by all means let mar
and true meu-men OF moral worth, such as
We need not be ashamed 10 follow. As yet
we are prescribed throughout this state
the black laws still remain on the statutes
better; at any rate would urge you to be patient ana
fOrbearing, trusting ia the strong arm OF tho GOHern
ment believing that she will 10 II that every Stdte
has republican form Of government ana tnat
each citizen receive ample protection IN gu ms
rights :" for while republican government derives
its Just powers from the consent Of tho governed
all should be protected. In conclusion, fellowcltzen
relnquish claims upon the executive, udcia
you from them the full mead OF your manhood
Petition and memorabilia until those IN power Or new
party grant every right denied and claimed by them
delegated State rights" and then, and not until
then, shall stand forth American citizens
loved and hOnOred OF all men.
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