National Republican., 1873-03-11
CUBA AND CIVIL RIGHTS.

Convention nj the Rtnecnth--treet Presby-
tcrian Chnrch-Interyentisn Donna nded-
speeches by Gen. BRnks, Mcssrs. Pinck-
back, Rainsy, Martin and Otherr.
An Important convention was assembled In
the flfteenth-street Presbyterian church last
evening for the purpose Of discussing the policy
OF the oolored men Of America towards Cuba
and to incidentally ventilate the question Of
civil rights. There were delegates present from
several different states, and these with their
friends entirely nlled the church and all its
standing-room.
Mr.. George 7. Downing was called to the chair,
and MI 7. II. Murray acted as secretary. After
the Objects OF convention had been stated
Mr.. George 7. Downing then read the following
ADDREsS on CIVIL RIGHTS AND cCBA:
The presence here In Washington Of a large
humber OF colored persons representing most o.
the ststes In the unon-persons known 10 take
deep interest In the welfare OF their race-ls
made the occasion to say, though great and
pleasant change for the better In relation TO the
respect due colored persons as decent and or
derry citizens has taken place, they still suffer
under indignlties, depryatiOns, and insults
which their sense OF manhood TevOlts at, and
they are earnest In their desire to be relieved
from the same. II Unnecessary only TO enumer-
ate the following disabilities; That on railroads.
steamboats, and other public cOnyeyances IN
hotels, schools and places Of amusement, their
conduct docs not regulate the treatment and
fare they receive. They may lie all that Is de.
slrable in plety, IN mental and material attain
ments, 10 grace and ease Of manners, and In per-
sonal attire, still II they are known to have
COLORED BLOOD
coursing through their veins, they are denied
the same fare that would he enjoyed by them
were they white, with even less merit true Of
them. There are happily many exceptions 10
the rule, but the general prescription referred to
Is so palpably unjust that we need not stop TO
argue the case,
The ministry, the educated, those In author.
lty, the law-makers, executives and the Judges
are responsible for their positions and influence,
and y they fall to WELD all the influence they
may In regarding our rights. they are TO that eN-
tent guilty OF the injustice Of which we com
plain, and Of stimulating on the part Of the un-
ing individual OF color. Every man who is a
citizen, without regard tO complexion, Is entl-
tied 70 equal rights In the land, and 10 respect
We expected the Furty-second Congress TO
pass law supplementary TO the civil rights bill.
We do not take 1t kindly that It lid not do so;
but we have hopes that the FOrty-thlrd Con-
gress, stimulated by the happy reference TO the
subject by our worthy President In his inau-
gural-for which he has our hearty thanks-af.
frming In II, as he does, that we are "not nos
sessed OF the civil rights which cItiZenshlp
should carry with It," that this is wrong, and
should be corrected, and that 10 this correction
ence can avail, will, when 1t shall convene, be
most prompt to make good the pledge which its
parties have made, and pass q bill fully protect
g ing our rights. should i fall to do so, We shan
not It's proper influence, that Justice Is outraged,
and that citizenship has been insulted.
We are reJoiced 10 sec the chief executive
omoer OF the nation, the man Of men, selected
out and exalted TO It's highest position Of place,
power aud honor, 80 unmistakably extending
out his powerful arm to tho struggling, and say
Ing unto them, your devotion, your appeals
have reached Inc; the schools closed 70 you
should be opened; you should have access 10
them; you should not be prescribed as you arc
man access TO schools he does not refer TO col.
ored schools, for TO these he has access already.
He evidently refers TO our earnest demand for
access 10 schools that shall be free 10 ALL that
we may not be degraded and despised. We
thank him for the might OF his exalted Innu-
ence, saying, as his language fairly implies,
unto the managers Of railroads, OF steamboats,,
the proprietors OF hotels and others, "When 4
person presents himself look not on his color,
but entertain him II he demeans himself as d
steps the bounds Of race, nationallties and poo
pea, and gives It's sanction 10 struggling hu-
mAnity everywhere"
WE TEIL FOR CrBA,
exercise Of our feelings and Indignation, we
would be found with arms In our hands aiding
wsuiS GISan pI Sr n0, isSr lS1t we
mAnd Of 1t 70 Immediately declare belligerent
rights to those herolcally struggling In Cuba 10
be free from The pToysLblal Perndy q spain,
that hall million OF our race are slaves In Cuba
causes US to feel Intensely In the matter. The
restraint upon IN for the last few days, through
the hope that spain might possibly be a republic,
is dlspeed. We have fears that, though she has
noble and true spirits within her borders, she is
still for time the despotic Spain Of the past.
Her brutality In Cuba, especially TO her slaves,
together with her notorious violations OF the laws
Of war, and the impossibllity OF her subdulng
those fighting In Cuba and determined TO be free,
demand immediate Intervention on the part OF
our Government, II not declaration OF belger-
ent rights. GEORGE T, DOWNING.
y, sEILA MARrH
7. II. MURRAY,
JOHN JONES,
X. T. GREESER
GEORGE LEvERE
The address was accompanied by a series OF
resolutions from Mr.. Downing, Mr.. Rainey, Gen |
session came under discussion. Pending the |
resolutions Mr., J. Sella Martin made an explana-
Lory speech, expressing very much the same |
sentiments reported from him at the last Cuban |
meeting.
TIE HON. n. 7. BANKS
then addressed the meeting at length In most |
eloquent and effective speech, Concluding us
follows; mo one ean deny the justice OF your
Speech OF Hon. j. II. Rniney.
] rise 10 address this convention with degree
Of tTepldatlon unusual with me, and for the Tea.
son that follow the late distinguished chair.
man OF tho Committee on Foreign Relations,
and though | am assured by the character OF |
this meeting that we arc assembled with one
sentiment, we may differ as to some Of
here TO talk about all our rights Some think We
ought 20 demand Of our Government the accord.
ance Of
BuLIlFREsr RIGHTA TO cCBA,