New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-13
The Cuban Conference.

1t was thought best to take advantage Of
the presence at the capital ofdistinguished col
ored men from all parts Of the Union, to hold
a conference on the subject of Cuban nde-
pendence, and through the sanction Of a pre-
liminary caucus at which more than a dozen
States were represented, the meeting was
fixed for last Monday night, at the Fifteenth
street Presbyterian church.
The meeting was one of the most numerous
and imposing we have ever seen in that build
ing. Able and comprehensive resolutions
were read aud discussed by Sella Martin,
Gen. n. p. Banks, Robert Purvis, J. II.
Rainey, Governor Pinchback, and George 7.
Downing. Up to the ending Of Gov. Pinch
backs able and eloquent address the finest
spirit Of harmony prevailed, but at this point
the somewhat imprudent remarks Of Gen.
Ryan produced confusion, from which the
chairman did not recover during the evening.
DR.. Harris offered substitute for the regular
resolutions, which was supported by Con-
gresham Walls and others, but the chair
man for some unaccountable reason declared
the substitute cut Of order, and refused 10 put
it to the meeting. The original resolutions
were read anil great confusion, and declared
to have been put and carried by the chair
man; whereupon a fierce and general pro-
test arose from all parts Of the house against
the rulings Of the chair, and the meeting
broke up in the widest disorder.
Thus grand opportunity for assisting
Cuba By what ever moral influence we might
bring to bear as race was lost. We regret
the sad termination of the meeting, not only
on account Of Cuba, but because it displays
trucking to power On the part of some Of
our people from which they need emancipation
more than Cuba does independence.
The following address was submitted to the
meeting:
The presence here in Washington Of a
large number Of colored persons representing
most Of the States in the Cnlon-persons
known to take deep interest in the welfare
of their races made the occasion to say,
though great and pleasant change for the
better in relation to the respect due colored
persons as decent and orderly citizens has
taken place, they still suffer under indignities,
deprivations, and insults which their sense
in their desire to be relieved from the same.
1t is necessary only to enumerate the follow
ing disabilities That Oh. railroads, steam
boats, and other public conveyances, In ho-
tells, schools, and places Of amusement, their
conduct does not regulate the treatment and
fare they receive. They may be all that is
desirable in piety,
IN MENTAL AND MATERIAL ArTAINaENIs,
sonal attire, still if they are known TO have
colored blood coursing through their veins,
they are denied the same fare that would be en-
joyed by them were they white, even were less
merit true Of them. There are happily many
exceptions to the rule, but the general pro-
scripton referred to is SO palpably unjust that
We need not stop to argue the case.
The ministry, the educated, thoae in au-
thority, the lawmakers, executives, and the
judges are responsible for their positions and
influence, and il they fail to WELD all the in
duence they may in regarding our rights, they
are to that extent guilty Of the injustice Of
which We complain, and Of stimulating on
the part of the uneducated a disposition TO
outrage any law-ablding individual of color.
Every man who is citizen, without regard
to complexion, ia entitled to equal rights in
the land, and to respect according to merit.
We expected the
FoRTY-sEcoSD CONGRESS
10 pass a law supplementary to the civil
rights bill. We do not take 1t kindly that it
did not do so; bat We have hopes that the
Forty.thlrd Congress, stimulated By the hap
py reference to the subject by our worthy
President 10 bis Inauguration which be has