Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-01-12
The Labor U.tsu Congress.

Closed yetterQay, General Eaton addressed the
convention and Mr.. Downing submitted re-
port from the committee on capital and labor,
which was made the order for future discussion
At the session last night, after PRAYER BY
Bishop Dognan, John b. Wolfe, who formerly
figured in the vomsn's rights meeting at Union
League Hall in this city. constituted himself a
DELEGATE Etc. TO 1epressns WYOMING, although he
The following were appointed
COMMISSION To ESTABLISH LABOR UNIONS IN
THE SEVERAL STATES:
J. N. Butler, Md; G. l.. King, H.: George l..
MADISON. y. g.; William J. White, Ga: j. W.
Logan, n. v; Washington Spreading, Nv; w.
II. Leslie. Va; W. III. Day, Del; j. II. Rainey,
Texas; X. W. Stokes, Mo; William Nesmith,
Pa; X. q. Pearce, Fla; Oscar Dunn. La: L.
II. Fletcher, Mas; Abram Ford, w. Va;
Charles Lsnckton, Kan; j. j. Spellman, Miss.
Slater, Ohio; A. b. Tinney, ID. c.; James .Jetter-
son, X. L.; John h. Homer, Ind: John de Dan
fist, Mich; Lloyd Wheeler, Ark; Charles Nc
Linn, Conn; John warrick Iowa.
The chair called attention to the great diff
Guilty the people of the country at iarge had in
understanding from the conflicting statements
IN The public press
THK TRUE CONDITION OF THINGS IN THE SOUTH
RRN STATES,
and be suggested that they set apart tomorrow
to-day Tor each delegate to speak ten minutes
on The condition OF Their respective States, aud
that members OF Congress be invited to be
present to inform themselves OF the facts. A
notion to this effect was made and carried.
THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS
FOR the ensuing year was the next business in
order. Frederick Douglas was unanimously
chOsen president, and Bishop Loguan vice presi-
dt 1t OF the Union. MIR. Douglas wished to de-
cline, saying that as presiding officer he was
Lot success, but could do better on the toor ut
the convention refused TO excuse him, and he
withdrew his declination. Lewis II Douglas
was unanimously elected recording secretary,
and Dir. Barbados corresponding secretary
W ntlOny Raven Va - TOD raa
The president elect was conducted to the
char, and the retiring president,
Mr.. MYERS, ADDRESSED HIN.
CcDeIatulatiDg the convention on the election
OF 80 distinguished gentleman his success
sor in so honorable a position, adding: 81 have
Travelled far and wide. aud labored hard the
past year, 10 advance the purposes and object.
for which this convention as organized, and
nave visited the poorest of the poor, the meek
est OF the meek in our Southern States and
have tried 10 raise them up, and encoura ge
the NJ 10 compete with their former masters in
wealth and power. i have endeavored TO uni-e
them together, in order 10 combine against
capital in order Ia give them as equal a Chance
a. possible with the whites. | now have the
distinguished honor OF surrendering nav posi-
sition, which l tear 1 have failed to fill so ac-
ceptably a. others might have done-a caulker
to a cSulker-bOth with one former occupation
and both from the same State and city," Jap
piause.l
NE. DOUGLASS
responded, saying Sc am deeply sensible of
the Kindness OF this convention III calling me II
preside over It's deliberations the next wear.
was quite in earnest when declined to accept
the position to which You have elected me. 1
have never bad any confidence in myself "a a
presiding officer; besides, other cares and re-
sIonsibiiities which i am compelled to attend
to increases my suspicious that | NAV not be
able 70 Go justice to the important duties of this
once Any man who occupies this position
should strive 10 meet the duties incident to il
faithfully and energetically. | hesitate in
starting out, hence it was that suggested some
other person. My hesitation was from the fear
that may not fulfill the duties acceptably TO
my self and 10 the convention. | have horror
OF failure in anything undertake. and with
out your hearty support l can do nothing
What Is the use OF these meetings, these cleo
ticu OF officers, these bureaus OF labor and ed
ucatiOr, these councils, and all this show and
parade, without something beneath to support
II ali? We must have 10th labor and money TO
CARY on what We have undertaken 20 do. Yet
II Is right TO have Just such convention az this:
and let us row 20 Ia work and Obtain the mower
and INF uenCe necessary TO accomplish our aims
Congress must help the freedmen. The Con-
sress OF the United states owe Us education. II
tuSY should place SchOol-house At every cross
read IN the South, with teachers TO teach
our poor, ignorant people, they wOuld do
no more than duty they Ov Q US, DOR cancelled
the wrongs they have done our race. We COM
plain that We are not fairly represented in the
government departments in this CITY: that me
mai places are given 10 cOiOred men aud women
We ought by our intelligence and education To-
n
care, have a care. how you act towards as
APPLAUSE our republican leaders eypect
much or US and when we do our part bv them
they should not be so slow to recognize our
rights. We viii 10 even more than che white
lnaD-we viii be true to our party-they vote
Tor bread ami butter. Appiause.l Now when
re 20 home let us resolve to go and organize
Tor real "olk. No people. perhaps, ever had
greater cause TO rejoice than We have. When
He look back few years ago and see what we
was, compared To what We now are, we should
be encouraged to go forward. Now IL you are
10 earnest 10 electIug me 10 this chair Won r,ust
cooperate with me, else what can do All
my strength lies in you. He closed by thanking
hem for their good order and decoTum. fAp.
plausel
REroETs FROM COMMITTEES.
The Secretary read report from the COM
nutee on labor and reform, recommending a
high tariff. Also, from the same committee a
-tsolufion relating to "yaried industry" rec
1mmending the ests blshment OF mills, manu-
actures, and the general encouragement OF
Industries; adopted. The Chair suggested that
he convention do not commit itself to anv OF
he great national policies at this present time
They had best not trouble themselves about the
aTin.
MIR. Stokes, Of NO, from the Committee on
education, made report on the condition Of
and the want of school houses and teachers
there, since the diseontinuance OF the Freed.
mems Bureau; accepted.
HON. NE. EAIEEY. OFs.C,
was loudly called Tor, and came forward and
addressed the convention, saving that has histo-
~ was brief one, and he supposed they hon
pred him for the position he occupies and rot
oT the man. He could not as his friend Doug
las could 90, look back On his past record with
pride at what he had accomplished for his race
The great question, What can be done to ee-
yate the colorcd people =" i one that engrosses
much OF his time. We have got to build up our
own fortunes. and the great question :. How il
L to be CONE? In the South We are An agricul-
tural people, and compelled to get what we
have by the strength OF our sinewS direct from
the soil. Now, what do We want Land. more
and! All the land belongs 10 the white man.
ana orr Teople have to work for the same old
masters, who are A. absolutely their masters as
ever. Let US have land and We vii! show what
We can do with labor. tApplause.l Some meas
ures must be taken to obtain land Tor our people
Let Congress instead OF giving so much TO the
railroad mOhopolies. give our poor people home
steaGs, and the wild lands of the South and
West will sOOn bloom with the products OF our
industry. We would see in the South the New
Jerusalem and promised land oil the negro.
Mr.. John NJ. Langston then addressed the
meeting on the subject Of perfect
SOCIAL EQUALITY
with the " bite race. and denounced railroad.
steamboat and street car managers and hotel
keepers who do not show the same respect and
Difference 10 colored people as to whites.
Rather pointed rsps were administered to negro
BARRIERS in this city who Will not shave coloTed
man. and TO cOl0red restaurant keeper in the
Capitol who Will not wait on = cOlOred customer
when lie applies Tor refreshments.
warm debate ensued, which was partici-