Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-01-06
coloRED PEOPLE AFTER THEIR RIGHTS.
The Mass Meeting Last Night.

I'D the congregational church Tor the purpose OF
giving an expression to their sentiments in favor
of the passage by Congress of Mr.. Summers sup
Elementary civil rights bill, now pending i'm the
Senate. On the platform were q number of the
leading colored citizens of this District, also
Gen Howard. Hon. G.. III. Porter. Messrs Gray,
Browne and Boswell, Of the Legislative Assem-
bly, and others
The meeting was called to order by John F.
Cook, Esq, who said they had assembled to con-
slider the bill before the Senate OF the United
States, to secure to them rights which they were
was supplementary to the amnesty bill. which
was intended to restore the rebels the privilege
withheld from them by reason of their COM
plcity in the rebellion. Mr.. Cook then read the
bill: at the conclusion of which he said that he
was here with others to speak in no uncertain
voice in favor of their rights He then cited in
stances in which the right of equality had been
denied colored people on railroads, boats and
other public carriers, as well in schOels.
lyceums, &c, which was supported by common
taxes In regard to social rights, he wished 1t
distinctly understood that he did not seek to
enter the parler OF any man " ho did not seek his
company. lAIplause.l
Prayer Was then offered by Rev. Mr.. Reed
The committee on permanent organization
then submitted list OF permanent officers,
headed by Prof. John NJ. Langston as president,
and they we're unanimously elected.
Mr.. Cook took the chair, and MIR. Langston
IAN ADpEEss TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES"
on the subject under consideration, in which
they state they are denied equality before the
law, and cite numerous instances all over the
country. Even in New England the colored
man is denied admission to the public inns. The
address concludes as follows:
W. concede To every one the regulation of his
own association. SO long the rights of others
not lDirlDged. We su for admission to man 8
hCme. Legal ri shts and privileges accorded us,
ri1pose :? .tand upon Eur worth satisfied that So
the taste. the judgment end interests of mankind
w closing hs adds %e APPEAL to sSr IL the
to you, do ye even so TO them Fer these words
valuable in patti ism, all that is eXcSient in n1 phi
laDfhroSy- all that Is sacred and binding in chris
feilnW as regards the conduct o. man towards his
Appended to this address were the following
RESOLUTIONS:
Rsso'rsd. That all citizens of the United States
emitted To the e.ual and i'm pa ia enjoyment of
privileges furnished by common carriers and inn.
Keepers; by owners, msnsgersi and lessees of
trustees cenmiss ohsrs super inrendenis, teachers
or other ofncers OF common schools and other public
church orsanizations, cemetery associstions. and
benevoie Mt ms: utions and this right ought
be Denied OF abridged pretense Of race, color
or previous condition Of servitude.
Rtsolrfd. That no person should be disqualified
10y reasen of race, color, treyiou. condition OF
str, hude; and no officer or other person charged
Jurors should exclude or fail to summon any person
R.soired That every law, statute, ordinance, reg
niation or custom, whether rational or state, max
ing discrimnstions against persons on account Of
Rs,oirsd, That we earnestly request and urge all
republican Senators, members of the House OF Rep
Tesenttu'es; the repsttte1H press throughout the
country and sli friends Of eq1alty 6etore tie lac
but heir most earnest support and vote in favor Of
the bin bow p nding in tie Senate, and known
bill supplementary TO the civil rights act
RsSoir,d, That we call especially upon all Senators
81 ion the otes Of white and colorec reputli-
cane Of the South to give their influence, their sup
tanned by con,ideraiions Of humanity justice, and
,he Pia, e., iheiPt,s Of the common law and
country the conservation and stability of republi-
hssolrtd, That tender to Hon. Charles sum
grateful thanks for the INTRODUCTION of this
bill and fer his able, eiequeit and determined a /
favorable thereto the pledge of our earnest sympa-
kssoirea.' That the address and resolutions con-
sdered ard ado pied by this meeting dnly signed by
the president and secretary thereof, be- presented
the niied States, as expressive of the sense and
udem: Mt Of the colored people of the country with
respect 10 the subject referred to therein, and as
containing our prayer In that regard.
The address and resolutions were unanimously
adopted.
General Howard was introduced and addressed
the meeting, saying that during his residence
lere he had lived up to the principles contained
carried out in the church in which they then
were, and in Howard University, and that
branch OF the government under his charge.
LETTER PROM GOVERNOR COOKE
was then read, in which he says While I
shall be necessarily debarred from the privilege
of being present, i cannot refrain from ex-
IT sssing my entire and hearty sympathy with
the oil ject OF the bill referred to. That which ii
seeks 10 accomplish is simply the logical result
OF previous legislation by Congress and of the
constitute nal amendments as ratified by the
people Of the states"
A LETTER FROM GEN. CHIPNAN,
our delegate in Congress, was read in which he
says: :. regard the faith OF the nation pledged
by the fourteenth amendment to the constltu-
ton. to the just principle that all American cit
liens are entitled to the equal protection of the
laws OF the country, and il is asnare and a de
ceit to tnunciate doctrine in our fundamental
law which We have not the courage or honesty
to embOdy in our legislation. / would as soon
vote to repudiate the national debt as to abridge
any of tine constitutional rights of our citizens
by statutes. i know Of no distinction in the
guarantee of the constitutiOn-all are equally
sacred. Ii, however, we are to discriminate at
all, let II be against property rather than against
persons"
DIR. c. b. Purvis was introduced, and said that
an opportunity had at last been presented when
the people could come together, and ask, aye
demand if necessary, OF Congress an enactment
to protect them in their rights before the law
They were here in the name of their loyalty, in
the name of their citizenship to demand that
the bill recently introduced in the Senate by the
greatest of philantrophists, Hon. Charles Sum
ner, be passed.
Judge Fisher followed, and said he was be-
lever in the doctrine that God hath made
of one blood all nations to dwell together
on the face OF the earth, for he knew that God
did not do his work by halves. He referred to
the rapid growth OF public sentiment which had
allowed the colOred man to go to the polls and
also to be elected to high and responsible posi-
tions, and argued that all they asked would
Rust, be granted them. There was no neces-
sity Tor argument, as prejudice the only
thing opposed to it, and that must be fought
down.
Mr.. A. NJ. Green was the next speaker. He
said that the nation tardy in according to
the colored men their rights, in view of the SER
vices rendered in behalf Of their country by
the IN, in tue field and elsewhere.
Mr.. F. A. Boswell was the next speaker, and
said he was there with pleasure and regret
pleasure at meeting them, and regret that at
this stage of American independence it was ne
cessary for any class OF citizens to have to hold
meeting to ask for their rights This, after
all, was question of politics. and the best way
TO reach those no opposed it was to oppose them.
In regard to the school question, he thought the
word white" should not be allowed to remain
in the school laws of this District. He then re-
ferTed to the bill making certain offices of the
District elective, and said he hoped it would
pass the Council, and ii it did not pass there
Il at they might get emission to do so from Con-
gress.
Prof. H. NJ. IanpstOn smoke next and said no