New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-05-18
the MAY ANNIVERSARIES.
THE REFORM LEAGUE.
Anniversary Meeting-AnnUal RepOrt-Res-
oluttons-Speeehcs by Wendell philips
and Others.


The meeting was called to order by Aaron Nj
Powell, editor of the National Standard ana
the chair was then taken by the Rev. John l.
SARGENT. of Boston, President of the League
who alluded TO the suspicious circumstances
under which they met, and briefly reviewed Inc
matters on which action was called Tor by re-
formers The Secretary then read the follow
ing letter from Charles Sumner
WAsH.EGroN, May 3, 1871
NJ, Dear Sir: 1t is not in my power to be
at your meeting, but when | think that IL will
he held on the anniversary OF the good Oh
Anti Slavery Society, which was always sc
apostolic, pay my homage to the day, and my
thanks to yeu for remembering me among ITS
friends.
Hapnily slavery is abolished; bnt, alas
wrong is not bansbed from the earth, nor has
il ceased to he organized in human institutions
or TO be maintained by governments
In considering the question OF Santo 10
mingo ! am snre you will not forget our duty
TO the Havtian people, counting by the hun
dred tbousand who now seek peace with the
rest of the island, and would gladly accept our
good offices. Blessed are the pcacemakers p!
Here is cur opportunity to obtain this blessing
but We must begin by stopping our wal dance
about the island, kept up at immense cost for
more than year. Faithfully yours,
A. w. PowEIn, Esq CHARLES SUMNER.
The Secretary then submitted long report
stating that the first Reform League meeting
was n voluntary, spontaneous reasSemhling OF
the co-workers and friends of the anti slavery
enterprise, which, in the legal aspects Of the
cause eliminated with the ratification of the
Fifteenth amendment. with the abolition of
cbattel slavery and the enfranchsement of its
victims upon equal terms before the law with
other cit zens-the organized anti slavery move
ment ceased. There is kindred function still
requisite for the removal of other great wrongs;
for the complete and just solution OF the still
pending race problem for due recognition
of equal rights for women the suppression OF
intemperance to secure justice for oppressed
working men and women, the promotion Of
peace, religious freedom, and enlightenment,
and a true civilization. To meet these broader
and more comprehensive demands in the same
conscientious spirit, airl with the same fearless
fidelity which characterized the anti-slayery
movement in its special mission, untrammelcd
by political or sectarian limitations is the
function of the Reform League"
Wendell Phillips was then introduced aud
said:
WENDELL PHILLIPS SPEECH.
I would hardly be here to day if did not re-
gard the hour in which we meet almost as
/ was very much criticised five years ago for
having delivered lecture under the title Of
1.-The South Victorious" 1t was esteemed an
endeavor-an abortive endeavor--to resusc-
tate dead Issue. and almost every step taken,
either by the North or South, since has deep
ened my impression, my conviction, that the
central idea to which we owe the revolt is as
vivid, and, might almost say, as hopeful, to-
day as it ever was. i believe that if we could
open million of Southern hearts we should
find nesting there, as clear "a MONDAY, the
distinct purpose to strike this nationality
again rs soon events give any probable cal
cuation of success. Under those circumstan-
ces il seems to me that that class of workmen
who are accustomed to stand behind the regular
political movements, and endeayor TO deepen
the national conscience, have as much work to
do as they ever had since 1861, and it is in that
mood that read to you, as the organ of a COM
mittee, the following resolutions:
'Resolued, That We recognize in the ku.
Klux Klans that wing of the rebellion of 1851
which advised staying within the Union and
fighting nationality there, and while the other,
which advised open secession, has been defeated
and DESTROYED, the fellow rebel still lives, de-
faint land full of hate and hope as ever and
hence this new form of rebellion is TO he met IN
the same way that its comrade was, by unre-
lenting martial law executed with impartial
not on the rank and file of poor aud disreputabe
men, who are pushed with coward cunning into
prominence, but on the ex-Governurs and Gen
erals, and ex-Senators and living milionaires
who skulk behind those, uphoiding the treason
and planning To reap all its best fruits. Let it,
first fruit 10 them be the drum head conviction
and the gibbet.
Resotred, That in our judgment, unless the
President now fully authorized by Congress
n 4
present summer, there is little doubt that tn,
Democratic party of rebels. North and South
will take possession of the Government. and
that means the reputation of the 18th and 5tt
amendments, and the refusal to Ivay the inter
est on our national debt and the pensions of our
soldiers until the Southern debt Us recognized
and the Confederate soldiers are pensioned
ResolUed, That the sore discomfort widely
spread among the labering masses is of the
gravest Importance and if left To deepen and
become more embittered will result in such
scenes as devastate the city of Paris TO day
that no way exists TO avert the Communism
which now distresses society IN France except
for capital and labor To meet at once equa
terms, and, Acknowledge each Others rights
TO arrange their relations on the basis of jus
tice and fair division of the common profit.
ResOiUed, That while We recognize and de
plore the fatally corrupt and partial policy oil
public lands and layishins them on greedy
capitalists, We consider that the danger which
presses closest and nearest to day is the in.
creasiag power Of moneyed corporations.
Resolved Thst the power Of Incorporated
wealth rs alarmingly great and is Increasing
every hour, and threatens To buy up legisa
lures, judges, and to crush the liberties of the
people; hence We Siyocate the entire abolition,
as soon as it can be honorably dOnespf all mon
eyed corporations, whether existing under
State or national authority, and no matter on
what pledge or condition they exist, since the
safety of the people is the supreme law
Resolved, That We rejoice TO believe that
the nation has so Enthusiastically and emphaii
cally Endorsed the course and policy of the
Hon. Charles Sumner on the question of an.
nexing Santo Domingo; that 1t Is hardly pos.
sible the project will ever be resumed, and we
shall thus be saved from an act which. in its
method, would have dsgraced the nation and
gravely periled the future of the colored race.
Resolved, That We consider the recognition
Of woman's right to vote the measure more
likely than all others to purify legislation, TO
establish Justice, and TO increase tenfold the
chances OF speedy rise to the level of d real
ana pure Republic; and we congratulate the
friends of this reform on the brisht banss "a
an easy and complete saecess. ;"
Resoloed, That republican institutions a..
possible only on the basis of a sober ana ;,,al
hgent people. Hence an impartial and na,;nna,
system oil education is imperatyely needed -
e be enforced, II necessary, by national au,hori,y
And no just and equal government is poss;b}e
except on the basis Of absolute prohibition .,
the sale of intoxicating drinks. "
Resolved That the conduct of Indian q ~ -;