New Orleans Republican., 1873-03-12

ResOi,ItiOns-speeche by j. SeilR Mar.
tin. General Banks, 7Ir. Rainey, Gov.
ernOr Pinchback and Others.
WASHINGTON, March IA convention
of colored men was held here tonight al
Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church, in
which were representatives from various
parts of the country. The object was to
give expression to their views on the sub
ect OF Cuba. George 7. Downing pre-
sided. An address was presented-the last
part of it claimed the full measure of civil
rights to which the c0lOred people are en-.
titled. and expressed the hope that the
next Congress would pass supplemental
civil rights bill for that purpose, in accord,
ance with the pledges OF the Republican
party. as represented a. the Philadelphia
Nominating Convention.
The second part OF the address expressed
sympathy for Cuba, and denounced the
barbarity Of Spain in the continued enslave
ment OF its negro population.
The address concluded with a resolution,
that the President has fully committed
himself to the principles OF civil rights and
in his eaiiness and efforts 70 secure them,
is entitled to the highest confidence and
esteem of the colored race. This resolution
was greeted with applause.
The next resolution was read. as follow $:
Resolred. That Charles Sumner Zap
plausel the name which. above all others.
comes 70 mind in connection with civil
rights. is precious % the cOlOred man [ap-
plausei: he has our gratitude and also our
sympathy in his aitiiction. and our hopes
for his speedy recovery. [AppIause.l
DIR. Srlla Martin addressed the conven-
ZION III advocacy of beligerent rights and
III favor of the abolition Of slavery in Cuba
General n F. Banks entered the church
while Mr.. Martin was speaking. and was
trrna.aD with an1,lausp He s-tns..
ouently invited to address me convention,
and in rising to do so he expressed deep in
tereet IN both civil rights and Delligerent
rights.
The Two really constituted buy ore sub
iect. There was only one question with
the coloret men in 1his country ard the
coi1red men in Cuba. and that was civil
ri .hts. Ii men have - rIgh: 10 con
tend Tor their liberty tha. vas tAe first
0: civil rights. Liberty va, the most
precious OF all ciyi. rights. Ii. Cuba
were thousands OF miles away and
It's inhabitants strangers TO us and our goy-
.:nmen., and ourselves net affected ny it.
here would be no proprety in discussin .
The question. But Cuba lies at our door
1t !s really in the sea .. III" United States
instead OF the Gulf OF Mexico. In svor-
respect il was of vast importanC" - the
United States. owing 20 It's geogra Ialca.
position.
It was the dividin: point between the old
and the new world, and the distinguished
CASTELAR,. the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
said i was the first object of Spain 10 pre-.
serve Cuba. Spain has kept US in trouble
for seventy years or more. He wanted. he
said. war with no nation. but if it had not
been for our fOrbearance We would have
been involved in hOsf!ities with Spain long
ago
s,,N ',ri,o
from Spanish sources. Through The French
We learn there are nearly 100 900 !nhab.
itants IN Cuba. 500, 900 or zoo 0O0 being
slaves. with continued inpOrtatOns from
Africa. and that 200 900 speak the African
dialect. Al! the civilized nations o: the
earth discountenance slavery. with the ex.
CeptlCn OF Spain.
In Cuba. slavery i, \ .uairlple c:i,re.
There are three or :OuC series o: cgue'
masters. The government OF Spain IS
mos. GesoOtic: i learns aOthin. ANA for
gets nothing. The tyranny OF Spain is
now a- il vas three hundred years ago
African slaves in Cuba are treated more
cruelty than any tGa: ever walked the
earth.
1t was asked. som. time ago. wha: the
Credi: Mob!lie- was. and the response
came: "Something thai bursts and throws
everybody N the air. Laughter. So
with btlligerent rights While people are
asking what the term means. the answer :s
plain. l. means nothing more than that
when man who - fighting for his liberty
shai! be wounded or taken prisoner he shall
be treated a. a soldier. and not be hung like
a pirate or q dog. That man who denies
these rights is not fit to bear a human form.
When viii men az the State Department
and at the White House and the men al the
Capitol say they are ready 20 accord bel.
igerent rights They will say .t as soon az
you require il. A. soon as you demand. i.
these men struggling Tor liberty shall be
treated as Christians. and not be shot like
pirates or dogs. they Will say it. You
may not pe rich. but 1t is the cause tha.
viii triumph. 1t was "a question OF truth
and Justice. He knew our sympathy was
with the republic OF Spain and we are de-.
lighted TO do anything in our roWe- 20
prosper i. He. N the II ause of Represen.
tatives during the late session. introduced a
resolution which was unanimously passed
rendering the congratulations OF OF the peo-
pie OF the United States on account of the
success ot esta bhshlng republican liberty in
Spain. and we could say 20 Spain 20 YOU,
way: but :: you keep slavery in Cuba you
never can preserve repuOiicanisin in Spain.
II - because We nav. 10 sUch despctisIr
tnat We maintain republican governmen,
here. The whole interest of our country is
IN the "nnlh. h.lation Of slavery III Cuba. We
have a right TO demand it. Wha.eye,
you wish and command will be done.
You must sustain those who are fighting
tor Their liberty. Ii the coiored people cay
10 :he country, rot the government. for the
government Is Lard OF hearing. and doe.
not ike TO hear VIVA. il does not want 10
hear. that s'I Or seven hundred II. .sand
men are fighting for their liberty. and tha
they should be treated like men i: takes u
Da,tlc or otherwise captured. there IS %
human beng who walks she earth. = no
can eeny the justice Of your prayer. 1t Il
| the law sf .he world.
! In conclusion, General Banks declared he
| was not the enemy Of Spain, but he wanted
| her to be just in order that she might have
| greater power and prosperity, and he urged
| the calored men TO perseyere In the good
] wsEk here eomHeReeds ssYipg they