New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-04-02

monument to his memory, go down among
them; give them a voice in the formation of
any and all associations for the purpose !;
put some of them upon the official and COM
mittee list; treat them with respect, and you
will get their confidence. But if you do not
do this, warn you beforehand you will fail
to get the funds necessary to do this great
work which we all have at heart.
This secret association was too hastily
formed, and it is too exclusive, and it comes
before the people, therefore, with too little
OF their sanction for you to do any good
with it.
III you adopt the plan suggest, each
school and society can tell just how much it
contributed to honoring the memory of the
greutest friend we ever had among the white
race, not that other white men would not
have done as well, but none of them had the
official opportunity.
what are our experiences in regard to the
Lincoln monument? We stand almost dis
sraced as a race, because we have failed to
keep our pledges to that great and good
mans memory. Why did we fail? We failed
because we made the mistake which these
Star Chamber gentlemen are making now.
'There was a Lincoln Monument Associa-
ton founded, agents were appointed, they
went through the country begging money,
and either because inefficient agents were
selected, who could not get money, Or dis
honest ones were appointed who kept what
they got for their own uses, the monument
has turned out a failure. Let us not make
another such failure. One such is sufficient
for whole century, and two such are enough
to damn the sense OF gratitude ofany race.
Let us go to the people. Here, in Wash
ington, are to be found their representa-
tives--an able delegation in Congress So
jouiners from almost every State in the
Union. Let us consult with them, and get
them to speak for their respective States,
and determine upon some plan by which TO
gain the confidence and support ofthe masses,
and we shall have such a response as was
never made upon similar occasion.
'But, gentlemen, warn you if you get
| together here lot Of clerks and caterers,
employees Of the Government, and the Board
of Public Works, and try to make them die
| tators of the donations Of the sovereign
people, you will have made mistake as to
the fitness Of the times and as to the feelings
of the people. Who and what are these men
that they should inaugurate such Star
Chamber proceedings as to adopt their plans
in secret, and then refuse TO submit them
to You for ratification. | was at their first
meeting, by invitation, but / withdrew from
the second meeting because l knew they
could not carry the people with them unless
their proceedings were ordered and approved
by the people.
There isno need ofanational Incorporation.
Each State Association can incorporate un-
| der its own laws and have bonded officers,
and these bonded officers can meet III Wash
ington and incorporate themselves under a
district law here, and then as q responsible
body proceed to determine what is best to
be DONE"
Here Air. Martin was interrupted by some
members Of what he called the Star Chamber
Association, and he said he would yield the
floor for a motion to adjourn. Mr.. \. NJ.
Green rose and said he would make such a
motion but proceeded TO make a speech,
when the point Of order was raised that a
motion to adjourn was not dcbatable.
" hercupon, Downing decided that motion
to adjourn was debatable and accorded Mr..
Green, The floor, amid shouts of dcrisive
laughter from all parts Of the house. Mr..
Martin appealed from the decision Of the
chair and Downing refused to put the appeal,
whereupon the audience, which was four TO
one in Mr.. Martins favor, crowded around
him and demanded that his appeal be put,
a.d when il became overwhelmingly evident
that the audience was opposed to the Star
Chamber Association, Downing and his fell
low officers left their seats.
The people left the hall to consult as to
the calling Of a conference of the representa-
tive men of the whole country who might be
| in the District, and the Star Chamber Asso-
| citation returned to their seats and went on
with their business IN the absence Of the peo-
pie. Onc or two Of our influential citizens
remained behind and two Of the reporters
for the daily paper.
After Mr.. Sella Martin had retired, G. T.
Downing stated that the reason why the
meeting had refused to adopt his plan, was
that it was composed of drunken rabble,
when Mr.. Archie Lewis, one Of the most in
tcligent, active and honored Of the colored
Trustee Board of Washington, promptly and
Indignantly resented The imputation, and
Downing with his usual caution disclamed
any reference to him, whereupon Mr.. Milton
Holland, an honored clerk in the Treasury
Department, stated that he along with Mr.
Lewis was part of those who had sustained
Mr.. Martins views, and demanded to know
if he was one whom Downing referred to as
part Of the drunken rabble, when Downing
with increased anxiety, explained that he
had no reference to Mr.. Holland. Mr.
Lewis again arose stated that inasmuch as
some of the most respected citizens of WASH
ington had supported the views of Mr.. Sella
Martin, and had retired from the meeting
with him, he demanded to know definitely
what Downing meant by his charge. Thus
driven to the wall, and finding that the enc
my who had overthrow him was absent,
Downing in mingled trepidation and despair,
said he referred to Mr.. Sella Martin as being
drunk. Thus the rabble was reduced to one
man, and man who was absent designated.
Hercupon Mr.. Lewis Indignantly retorted,
that il was an untruthful cowardly charge.
Thus promptly called to time by Messrs