New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-14
lEW ORLEANS. SUNDAY, APRIL A. 1872. "


may be German, an Irishman or an Eng.
lishman, and if he is fighting for the com
mon cause of liberty he is an American.
am German, if Germans are fighting for
liberty; am an Irishman, if Irishmen are
struggling for liberty an Englishman. ii
fighting tor the same cause, and an Amer
ican, fighting for the freedom and liberty OF
every creature.
l admire the Republican party because it
is a party of progress. 1t is led by men
whom admire vet there are other leaders
beside President Grant-like the Hon. Carl
Schurz, Trumbull and others-lnen whom
would say nothing against; men who are
fighting for States rights. This policy do
not like, for it is in direct opposition to lib
erty, and any party or men that are Op-
posed to liberty to them l am no friend.
They are opposed to progress. am in no
sympaty with this principle. Yet these
gentlemen are honorable men, and l
do not want to hear one word against them
by any member in this colored convention.
We have had the rights of American citi-
zens since the year l776. The Declaration
of Independence gave US that right, for it
saws "ali men were born free and equal"
We have our thirteenth, fourteenth and fit
teenth amendments to the constitution, but
that does not cover all the ground necessary
to secure civil rights. What benefit do We
derive when men are placed. in power who
are in direct opposition to their execution!
But TO whom are we indebted for the rights
we enjoy! Some say to the State govern
ments. l say not. We owe more to the
federal than the State governments.
What good to US are our twelfth, thir-
teen,h. fourteenth and fifteenth amend
ments! What benefit are they TO us in Sc
curing civil rights! We have had rights
had them long ago by the influence OF these
amendments. You know it. l know it..
Our party, like bark, is tempest-tossed,
but il is the deck Of the ship, and all the
other parties are the outside, in the sea.
toe Republican party is, their ambition
must he to 20 higher. am here to tell you
my idea of how this party may do this-to
tell you that the party must go up higher
[Applaase.l Though General Grant is a
very able man, an honorable man, a
skillful administrator. and / intend
to cast my vote for him for the
next President, ne learns wisdom at the
feet OF Charles Sumner. [Applause.] He
is everywhere majority-in the signt OF
God majority. He does not only repre-
sent State, but he represents the en-
tire party OF progress, and the cOlOred peo-
pie OF the United States. Applause.] He
is no tiickering light. For twenty five
wears has he labored for the Republican
party, and he will never cease to SO do, and
| saw now that may my tongue cieaye to
the roof Of my mouth may the day that
l was born be accursed if cease to support
and honor that great statesman, Charles
Summer.
On motion Of Mr.. Martin the entire con-
vention arose and gave three hearty cheers
for Charles Sumner.
Immediately after Mr. Douglass had con-
clnded Mr.. j. Selia Martin rose to Ques-
ton OF privilege. He read the structures of
the Times in regard to the remarks OF a
member of the convention, made on Friday
last. They related to the Germans of this
country. and were only the expression of
the sentiments OF an individual member of
this convention. Therefore, Mr.. Martin
thought the structures Of the Times very
unfair. In connection with this subject he
introduced the following resolution, which
passed unanimously:
ResolreG, That as certain unfortunate allu-
sions to Hon. Carl Schurz, by speakers,
have been seized on by unfriendly journals
as an occasion to misrepresent the
sentiments Of this convention, it is
tit and proper for Us to repudiate
any depreciation of the German
or any other race Of people, and to
express our gratitude for the noble part
the Germans have taken IN laboring and
chisement.
Mr.. T. N. Chester rose to a privileged Ques-
ton He read from the Times of Saturday
morning an article rejecting on the colOred
people and offered a resolution intended as
an answer TO the Times. The resolution
was referred to the committee Oh resOlu-
tions.
Mr.. Clarke, of Ohio, chairman Of the
committee appointed to draft a civil rights
a Tho oAApasS ua
read. and Mr.. Downing objecting to it as
not being explicit enough on the subject OF
education, it was referred back to the com
mittee for the purpose OF having such
changes made as might be deemed neces-
sary.
Mr.. Ransier chairman OF the committee
or platform and resolutions. la lde report.
and it was adopted by the convention.
TIE committee cn civil rights address
made an amended report, but as objections
were still made toit, its further cOnsidera-
ton was deferred until Monday. when it
is made the special order of the day.
The convention then adjourned until half
past seven in the evening.
EVENING sEssIoN.
The convention was called 20 order by
the president last evening a. halt-past
seven.
After several minor circumstances. a reso-
luton was offered providing that the ses-
sion of Monday next be held with closed
doors. This gave the ''spouters chance
to talk about holding secret sessions. Many
thought It below the dignity OF coiored
convention to hold an executive session.
The motion was finally laid upon the table.
Some discussion arose in reference to
appointing Mr.. Frederick Douglass chair
main of the committee on civil rights TO
petition Congress to pass the civil rights
bill. in place of F. G. Barbados.
Mr.. Douglass declined 10 serve as chair
man.
Speeches were then made by A. NJ.
Greene. C. II. Langston and h. NJ. Turner,
after which the convention adjourned.