New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-06-13

rem OF power into the hands of that great
nero that led US through great bloody
struggle OF years led US out to citizenship
and who, when the war ended and he was
nominated for President in 1868, said: 'Iet
US have peace" The solving of the problem
OF our citizenship has been the work of years
No one knew how that question was to be
brought about. But few men could compre-
bend the situation, or the political position
OF affairs in the South-few men knew. l
happened to be present upon that occasion,
IN 1868, when Gen. Grant was nominated,
and when went home to my State of Arkan-
sas l know very well, and there are men
here who can attest it, that throughout that
political canvass it cost the lives of three
hundred black men in Arkansas to carry the
State for Ulysses S. Grant. To-day the pro-
blem is being worked out to further solution.
The Ku-Klux problem is being worked out.
The ku-Klux situation is settled, and the
peace OF the country is secured. But, had it
not been for the law, and the men at the
helm who had the nerve to execute it, that
organization would be to-day in full venom
in that section of the country therefore, we
urge upon the American people to give us
Ulysses s. Grant for our candidate, for his
name is a tower of strength at the South, and
the only name that unrepentant rebels re-
spect. Prolonged cheers He is the man
to work out the great problem now being
solved in this country by the great Republic
can party. AS has been truly said the past
problem has not yet been fully solved. Its
duties are not entirely fulfilled. Its organiza-
ton must not yet be disintegrated. The full
measure of our citizenship is not yet COM
pleted. We stand many of us in a prominent
position in the Southern States, but right
among the people we find no position. The
law is so weak, and the public sentiment SO
perverse, that the common civilities of citi-
zen are withheld from us. We want the civil
rights bill. [Applause.] We demand that
we shall be respected as men among men
free American citizens. [Cheels.] We do
not ask that for any small reason. There are
always two classes of people. We have to
be afraid of that class who love us too well
and hate us too much. (Laughter.l Alive
ask is a fair share in the race of life, and
give us the same privileges that are given to
other men. Hope the action of the cOnven-
ton will be such that we may be able to go
home rejoicing. So far as the colored people
of the South are concerned, they are a unit
to-day for Ulysses S. Grant. [Cheers.]
know they told us often "niggers" can now
go for the father of Republicanism. When
we objected to this on the ground that he was
not the Republican nominee, they said he is
the father of Republcanism. Said 1, "Very
well /; if that is so, 1 thank him for having
been the father of such brood of illustrious
and loyal men, but fear, like Abraham of
old, he takes Hagar instead of Sarah. We
cannot afford that" [Laughter.] If you do
this, we do not intend to recognize any of
these outside children. [Renewed laughter. !
There is the inheritance of the free woman,
the legitimate offspring of the old man,
and we are going to keep the boys all at
home. ICheerS,1 L fear some of these
takers are like the Ishnaelite of old, and
the old lady will have to hunt for water in
the wilderness. [Great laughter.] The
black people of the State of Arkansas are
solid. They know who are their friends.
They know very well there is no standing for
the black man outside of the Republican
party. [Cheers.] They know they cannot
afford to vote against their best friends, and
they will not do it. They will all vote for
Gulf of Mexico. [Cheers.] 1 am happy to
hear from other gentlemen Of the convention
the sentiments here uttered, and for the
privilege of knowing that the ranks will be
kept solid together for the victory that will
perch upon our banners in the coming con-
test. lProlongedapplause.]
CoLoRED CoNGREssMAN's SPEECH.
Mr.. Elliott, of South Carolina, member
of Congress, (colored,) upon being called out
with applause, said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION: 1t is
with great appreciation of the compliment
paid to my State that L rise in response to
your invitation to address this august conven-
ton. 1 regret, however, that while accepting
this invitation, am debarred by recognition
of the fact that we are assembled here for the
fulfillment Of an important duty to the people
of the nation which is now pressing closely
upon us, from doing more than asking you to
excuse me from making any extended re-
marks. / stand here, gentlemen, together
with my colleagues from the several States
| to represent my race, as an illustration of the
accomplished fact of American emancipation.
| (Applause.] AS an illustration not only of
the magnanimity of the American people as
/ stand by my distinguished friend from
Arkansas, but also as the living example of
the justice of the American Government.
| [Applause.l We stand here in your midst,
gentlemen, to assure you of the fact that we
believe earnestly and faithfully in the princi-
pies of your humanity and equal justice that
YOU have asserted and maintained in the past.
| We stand forth to-day among you not only to
give our vote in this body in behalf of our
constituencies for the nomination of President
and Vice President for the coming election,
| but also to pledge you the earnest co-opcra-
ton OF the OO,OUO voters whose cOmpleXlonS
are unlike yours. (Applause.] We come
here to-day to assure the delegates here as.
sembled from the several States, we come to
assure the American people that, mindful Of
their services to us in the past, mindful Of
their goodness and of their justice, we intend
to use the rights that have been given us
this privilege of the elective franchise, in the
interest of the country and the American
people, and having common interest with
our iellow-citzen of whatever complexion, Of
whatever part Of the country, asking only
what is just and fair; performing only what
is right, we mean to contribute our fair share
and our full quota toward making our country
what we wish it should be, along with you
and give those guarantees to all citizens
claiming the protection of the laws, lap
plause j and in making the American people
4 the grandest, most powerful, and purest in al
respects of all nations upon the face of the
earth. We prefer to unite with you not only
in protecting our citizens not only in having
our banner waving all over this broad land
but, also, that you may guarantee to all You
citizens the results Of equal protection of al
the laws at home. Gentlemen, l will moi
attempt to detain the convention from per-
Torrance Of its duties by any further remarks
| but will say that the nine hundred thou
sand colOred voters Of America will stand b,
l. H..