New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-23

amendments when they were before the
country for consideration. He said for him
sell ne ionged to see the day when Demo.
Gratis, Republicans, and all parties shall grant
heartily and in good faith to the colored
American all the rights pertaining to citizen.
ship; but until that day we cannot afford to
divide upon minor issues. We must cling to
that party upon whose banner is inscribed
every victory which freedom has won. and to
which we are indebted for every right and
privilege which we enjoy as citizens. He
said he could not close without an allusion to
the illustrious author of this bill, Hon. Charles
Summer. He imagined now that he could see
the noble Senator as he rises i'm his place in
the Senate, and saying, offer this bill because
1t Is right. 1 could not rest upon my pillow
tonight if had done less. Doubtless Sena-
tor Sumner considers the consciousness OF
having done his duty a sufficient reward, but
said the speaker, that should not satisfy us.
Our first obligation is answering allegiance
to the Republican party, and to follow no
man out OF it; so long as our rights are in
jeopardy. Secondly to remember those who
have been true to us. And of that number
Senator Sumner stands foremost. Let us
then at all times, demand for him proper re-
spect and consideration in the councils of the
nation, and seek whenever possible, by all
the means in our power, to elevate him to
the highest position in the gift of the people,
always, however, within the Republican
ranks. Mr.. A. Z. Ohear next followed in a
well written and instructive address on 1.-THE
Relations of the Family to Society,"" J. c.
Mapin, Esq, was the next speaker. He
urged the colored voters of Virginia to stand
by the old Republican party. Warming them
in eloquent language against the consequences
of another such Democratic victory as was
the accession of Gov. Walker to power.
Mr.. G. n. Otey, of Raleigh, North Caro-
lima, next spoke upon the different phases of
prescription in the American continent, its
workings in the different professions, how it had
put an end to research in medicine, and made
law acOnglomeration ofthe relics ofeffete insti-
tutiOns and product of defunct ingenuities; how
the church had elevated dogmas and creed
into prominence, debased love and life into
obscurity, and insisted more on faith in tenets
than in God, denied Christian fellowship to
those on earth whom love expects to meet in
Heaven and casts out Of the synagogues those
who rise to think, while Christ forgives those
who stoop to sin; how that our literature
had been dwarfed and good writer's driven
from the field by set of selfish and preiu-
diced critics.
Prescription Of the colored race by the
whites and the more intolerable prescription
OF themselves by their own color He ex-
horted them to get an education and money
which was the magical key which unlocks all
hearts and admits the possessor to the lord
Hest mansion. He dwelt upon the oneness
of humanity and said that what belonged to
one man in virtue of his manhood belonged
to all men and there could be no distinction.
He spoke of the white mans treatment of
the Indian and showed how terrible a thing
it is when the heel of the oppressor is upon
the neck. He said that this was a composite
nationality and we ought to welcome all men
as brothers i'll this great work of elcvating
our country; that we need not think to be
supplanted by the Chinese in the occupation
of labor, we could never be supplanted while
We have the right to vote.
The following preamble and resolutions
were then offered by Mr.. Mitchell, and upon
motion adopted:
Whereas we, a large portion of the colored
voters of Virginia, feel that we are still de-
prived OF the equal enjoyment of civil rights
in common with other citizens, in that we
are Disseminated against on railroads, steam
boats, by hotel proprietors, are excluded
from the equal enjoyment of advantages fur
nished by places of amusement and instruc-
ton. In our own State, by an artful evasion
of the law, we are excluded from sitting on
juries, notwithstanding this right is guaran-
teed to us by the constitution of our State
Therefore,
Resolred, That we heartily indorse the bill
introduced in the United States Senate by
Hon. Charles Sumner, and known as the Sup
Elementary Civil Rights Bill, and believe
| that its passage and proper enforcement will
correct the injustice of which we complain.
Resolced, That we contemptuously reject
| the assertion that we are attempting to force
ourselves into any ones society. We are
| well aware that social relations cannot be
| regulated by law. We only ask that we be
| accorded the full enjoyment of civil rights in
| common with other citizens.
Resolred, That we earnestly and respect
fully petition the Congress of the United
States to pass said bill.
Resolved, That n copy Of this preamble and
resolutions be transmitted to Hon. Charles
| Sumner. M.
|