New-York tribune., 1873-05-16
THE PROCEEDINGS.

The PROCEEDlNGS.
The exercises were opened with prayer by
the Row william J. Aston. He returned thanks for the
many dispensatons which had been manifested in the
behalf Of the coored race especially in their wonderful
liberation through the nstrumentaty Of the late civil
war and the passage Of the Civil Rights bill, which
guaranteed them the rights which they should enjoy
The Rev VIM F. Butler then made some Introductory
remarks follows:
SPEECH OF THE REV. WIN. +. BUTLER.
few months go few Of our people met in the par
lors OF the Mr. Powell OF this city While there the
eubec OF organizing committee to that the citizens
of tins city should their civil rights broached
We organized a committee and after some discussion
decided call it the Citizens Civil Rights Committee
Burely that title could interfere with mans preudces
since the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment! We
work, got out bills saying that we were to hold
meeting had them circulated throughout the city,
The meeting held at Republican Hall In Twenty
thirst and there the citizens ratified the action
had taken. Resolutions there adopted and it was
concluded 10 submit them to the Legislature at Albany
The Civil Rights bill passed and We, the Committee
who had gone up Albany to encourage the passage Of
the bill returned homes. We here willing TO let
the matter drop nasmuch the bill had passed We said
we were willing to give it up but yOusad 20 on" You
said that the Committee should continue and you further
instructed to organize public demonstration, and you
have it this night the 18th OF May, and here tonight we
take up the subjects touching this important
Civil Rights question: and we promise you that we Will
only take up such questions are sure the COM
Iuunty will back in. am not going 70 makea speech,
for have able and eloquent men with us tonight We
have MajorGen Hustled whom we are going 10 SEND 10
Congress Then we have Capt. Johnson-in Pennsyl-
wanna he a Governor, here he Is a captaln-but we
will yet make him Governor Of our State. Next we
come TO Pennsylvania Thunderer whose voice has
been heard from end Of the State to the OtheryOu
all know Isaiah c. Wears Of Philadelphia Then we have
the Hon John Mercer langston our lawyer OF whom we
for 80 years has been battling for the civil rights OF his
people, mean the Rev. Henry II. Garnett We have
one who should never have left tins country but who
back here with the culture of the schools
eur people and who Is here before You and viii address
you tOnight-I refer TO the Rev. Alexander Crummel
Prof Charles L. Reason then read letters from Gov.
John A. Dix the Gerrt Smith, Frederick Douglass,
Wendell Phillips William Lloyd Garrison, william II.
Robertsou, AIonzo B. Cornell and Roscoe Conkin. All
these letters were received with applause and the first
two or three with round OF cheers Frederick Doug
Iasss letter was long and full Of advice and encourage
ment with congratulations for the OF the efforts
for equality in NewYork.
The oDoEng resolutions were then read by the secre
taTy:
RheTedS The eDnOblnR CONVICTIONS OF right and JUS
nee which have been gradually leavening and eevang
the American mind have come TO be incorporated in
State legislation, 10 the condemnation OF degrading
customs and prOscriptive usages; therefore,
Resoped That We regard the passage Of the Civil
Rights bill by the state Of NewYOrk as landmark IN
the humanzing legislation Of the age and We feel
called upOR 10 rejoice it evidence OF human
progress and q great triumph OF freedom.
ResOlUed That fully appreciatlng the value Of the
rights secured under the latest amendments Of the Ma
nonal Constitution, not unmndfu. that civil and
that without them citizenship incomplete there
fore additional ground for rejoicing that the Legisa
state has t 10 complete the advantages
of these various amendments by passing the Civil Rights
Resorsd That we recognize the principle that rights
are cOrelaVs Of duties that the full endowment the
prerogatve Of citizenship brings an added burden OF
we are prompt to acknowledge our duty as portion Of
the body polite to maintain law and to render our con
tIbutons 70 the peace staOy goOd OTdef' ana honor
Of the state.
We recogaize the respOnsloilles winch accompany the
fun afrsnchisement of the citizen, and acknowledge
all freedom is "a be regulated as well by Judgment
and prudence as by law and statute.
ReSOlCed That our warnest thanks as citizens OF New
York are hereby enderea they Justly due to tue
Hon. James W. Hustled, who introduced this bill IN the
Assembly. % the Honorable Senators James Wood and
WIN III. Robertson, 10 Gov. JnO. A DIX, who promptly
signed the bl and 10 those nenDers OF both Houses
who ndIcated this measure and carried II to success
Resoiced, That we cannot forget how much this
triumph due 10 the Inspiration caught from tue de-
voted efforts made on the n0or OF the United states
Senate by Hon. Charles Sumner, Of Massachusetts,.
And remembering with affection ana reverence ali he
has done 70 destroy Slavery and TO break up caste, We
send hun from this meeting our sympathy IN MS bodily
sufenngs aud our greetings that this ms ehd rejected
from the senate OF the aon has been at once adopted
HesoIced, That recognize the favorng hand Of God
pTOvidences which have brought freedom and
civil privileges; and we feel that it duty tins
occasion forget that tribute OF praise ana thanks
raised up friends and scattered enemies and brought
us 70 the full hight of freedom, citizenship, aud educ
tIODal enlightenment
The Hon. j. W Hustled then addressed the meeting as
follows
SPEECH or THE HON. J. W. Hustled.
Irecognlzc TINS Assembly a meeting couvoked for
.ndorsng the bin which the Legislature has enacted
oDferg upon every man. without regard for color
civil and public rights. / around Inc the able
of this country from to year. in times Of trial
.nd Of sorrov IN times joy and triumph, have fought
fr their race as they fought for ours. wish this
meeting every success and hope that this organization
will he able 10 carry into effect every principle OF this
hill Idont wsh 20 make speech, but 10 SIT at the feet
Of these Gamaels in oratOry and debate who for 80
many years have fought for these ins tStS
and tustce In the Legislature OF 1909 a. Charmah oI
he Committee Federal RelstIoas reported ~ tne
TToSe and messed forward the Fifteenth Amendment
Iss and 1872 again fought for this principle ana
nslned remove the foul blot which Iammahy mao az
Iempted 20 fasten upon the state neraon Of Inde
oebdence. is not the result OF , manalln scott, scott
nenL The colOred people have ooniertT1 dt nRHa Rni
1poh Inad bv SreiudIce, hampeFed by fear aud the
nweT 81 landed sristocracy, the people shranh ii1n
vpg them the due reeCgnHon nnn tbsm Te American
.,an was baptized IN blood, but they IoIgVt n ~noS
,ood They forgot that the mortal agones& VIZ ~ ~ rtcar
the name OF Crispus AttOx VIII DO hWa{s
S,,oiered We have paid 700 little attention 10 the
Of that eass q io our be nS When refused TO
,ect h,m Peter Salem and Robert snsI alS n1Sn M
ny win never be forgotten. Their deeds neIe oy & e
% our cause The Proclamation OF Inhh.Ipa-
or sianed by Abraham Lincoln at tbe ulS & VI tno
attic % Mqriros'b3sS9 ,Se nation could he blind
ave. ear Tne amendment to the Cohsutulonn wac
3,sd Yet the blind feeling OF pteyuoAcS s,t oa ~.
,slned and not untl nov 'nrehdices We have made