The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-11-09

was read at the Convention OF tho Colored
Men at Columbia, South Carolina;
Bosros, October IL, 1871.
DEAR SR I'll am glad that our colored fell
iow-citixens are to have a convention Of their
own. So long as they are excluded from
rights or suffrage In any way on account Of
color they will naturally meet together in or
der to find q proper remedy, and since you
kindly invite me to communicate with the con-
vention make bold to offer a few brief sug-
gestions. att
In the first place you must at all times insist
upon your rights, and here l mean not only
those already accorded, but others still denied,
all OF which arc contained In equality before
the law. Wherever the law supplies rule,
there you must insist upon equairights. How
much remains to be obtained you know too
well In the experience Of life. Can srespecta-
BILE colored citizen travel on steamboats, or
railways, or public conveyance generally,
without insult on account OF colorf Let Lieu
tenant Governor Dunn, of Louisiana, describe
bis journey from New Orleans to Washington.
Shut out from proper accommodations in the
cars, the doors OF the Senate Chamber opened
70 him and there be found that equality which
a railroad conductor had denied. Let our ex-
cellent friend Frederick Douglas relate his
melancholy experience, when within sight OF
the Executive Mansion he was thrust back from
the dinner table where his brother commits
sioners were already seated. You know the
outrage. l might ask the same question with
regard to hotels and even common schools.---
A hotel Is legal institution and SO Is q COM
mon school. As such each must DO for the
equal benefit of all. Now, can there be any
exclusion from either on account Of color2 II
is not enough to provide separate acoommoda
tons for colored citizens, even il in all respects
as good as those Of other persons. Equality is
not found in equivalent, but only In equality.
In other words, there must be no discrimina-
ton on account OF color. The discrimination
Is an insult and hindrancc, and bar which
not only destroys equality, but weakens all
other righ,s. The sight to vote will have new
security when your equal right in public con-
veyances, hotels, and common schools Is at last
established but here you must insist for your
selves by speech, by petition, and by VOTE
Help yourselves and others will help you also.
The Civil Rights law needs supplement to
cover such cases. This defect has been sppa-
rent from the beginning, and for long time
have striyen TO remove Il. have bill for
this purpose now pending in the Senate. viii
not my colored fellow-citizens see that those
in power shall no longer postpone this essen
| tiai safeguard? Surely here Is an object wor-
thy of effort. Nor has the Republican party
done its work until this is established. Is IL
not better to establish all our own people In
the enjoyment Of equal rights before we seek
70 bring others within the sphere of our insti-
tutions to be treated like Frederick Douglas
was on bis way to the President from Santo
Domingo? II is easy to see that a small part
OF the means, the energy, and the determined
will, spent in the expedition to Santo Domingo
and in the prolonged war-dance about that
island, with menace to the black republic of
hayti, would have secured all our colored fell
low. citizens In the enjoyment of equal rights.
OF this there can be no doubt Among the
cardinal objects In education which must be
insisted on here again must be equality, side
by side with the alphabet. Il is in vain to
recite the great words of the Declaration of
Independence If you do not make them a ly-
ing result. What Is lesson without example
As all are equal at the ballot-box, so must all
be equal at the common school. Equality in
the common school is the preparation for
equality at the ballot.box therefore do | put
this among the essentials OF education. In as
sorting your own rights you will not fail TO
insist upon justice TO all, under which is neces-
sarily included purity in the government
Thieves and money-changers, whether Demo-
Gratis or Republicans, must be driven out of
our temple. yammany Hall and Republican
self-seekers must be overthrow. There
should be no place for either. Thank God
good men are now coming to the rescue. Let
them while uniting against corruption insist
upon equal rights for all, add also the sup
preston OF lawless violence wherever IL hows
It's head, whether In the Ku-Klux Khan out
raging the South or Illicit undertakings out
raging the black republic Of Hayt. TO these
inestimable objects add specie payments, aud
you will have 4 platform which ought to be
accepted by the American people. viii not
our colored felow-citizens begin this good
work? Let them at the same time save them
selves and save the country. These are only
hints which | submit to the convention, hoping
that its proceedings will tend especially to the
good Of the colored race. Accept my thanks
and best wishes, and believe me faithfully
yours, CHARLES SuHsEn.