The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-29
FADING AWAY.
Gradual Disappearance of the Color
Line.
The Citizen VIII No Longer be Chained
10 Any Political Organization.


He said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
CONvENTIoN-It is with some degree of en-
barrassment that present myself before YOU
on this occasion. do not feel able to make
you political speech, as that is not my busi-
chairman few minutes ago, that nj the close
OF the business OF the communicative will have
a love feast meeting; and believe they are al
ways enjoyable meetings.
However, would state to this convention
that my political utilization has been with the
republican party. presume there is no doubt
in that regard, as it has generally been sup
posed, by common consent in this country
that every colored man belongs to the republic
can party.
streets in TeTre Haute, saw a black dog, and
n gentleman passing by, swapping his finger at
the dog, said: THAT is little republican"
[Laughter.l His remark was in keeping with
The sentiment of the republican Ilarty, that
every man whose face is tanned must neces-
sarily vote with and affiliate with that party
As was stated by your mpOrary chairman
this morning. we represent class that has
been tanned; but have the advantage OF this
assembly in that regard renewed laughter,
for while the sun tanned you it
tanned my foreiathers. CONTINUED
laugnter.l I have lived TO see the day
and the time when the cOlOred people OF
by any one particular party. ICheers.l Since
they have emerged from African slavery, and
the Save pen and auction block have been
dispensed with, and school houses and insti-
stutions OF learning established ali over the
country, the negro has learned TO read, and he
remembers what he reads. lRenewed cheers I
He has been Incorporated into the body po-
little. and now no longer inquiries as to what
the political issues were in years gone
by, but they inquire as all thinking
people ought 10 inquire, "what is the
policy and what are the politics of the
A volce-that's right Having thus emerged
from that bondage which could not be sur.
passed in crime, we do not feel disposed to be
enslaved any longer, especially when we
have ballot nlacp0 hands m
prohibit ensavement by giving expression
thus to our feelings. Applause.
we can make our own selection, and when
the colored people of the United
States are making their own selec-
humble servant or any coIored person in
indianapolis said they intended to vote any
o her thsn the republican ticket, nine tenths
them-but times have changed, and L feel that
there is strong sentiment running towards
the national party on the part of the colored
people in the state of Indiana. lCneers.
Ithappened to be my misfortune to be en-
gagged in politics in Terre Haute recently. and
by some means the coloreu people throughout
the state found it out. Since that time have
been receiving letters from the leading col
or d men of the state, and have not received
but one letter but what has Endorsed my po-
sition. Applause / have letters from leach
ers OF schools, and have been assured by Lead
ing ministers of the state that they felt that
the time had come when our interest can
be better served in the national party than
in the republican, Loud cheer1ng.l But
some of them said like this: 1.-The people
say a minister of the gospel has no bust
ness dabbling in politics" My repub-
lean friends in Terre Haute have told me that
- since voted the national ticket. Laugh
teri And strange 10 say, the very men who
used TO lift their hats and halloO "HuTrah ~
when was in the republican party, tell me
now that a minister is disgraced By taking
part I'm politics. / have said in reply that
some lead ng white ministers in the city here
made republican speeches and you don't dis
card them--why single me out a colored man
and say he has no right TO daDble In politics,
because minister, and let the white man 90
free? Iaughter.l The answer will be like
this: Il think it better that you fellows should
stay in the pulpit" and perhaps IL might be
better - for the existing political parties.
Renewed laughter.
feel. gentlemen ttf the convention, l need
not remind you, that the duties devolving
upon us are grave duties. The people of the
state of Indiana are looking upon our delIbera-
tons with interest to -day. They are anxious
to know whether we are going to come to the
rescue of the suffering; whether we
are going to prove ourselves equal
TO the position; whether we are going
and .detriment of the many. / need not say 10
tn convention that the leaders of the old
parties are not looking to the interests of the
many, bee ause you have the experience of the
past TO teach you. 1t is not theory, but you
know the legislation OF this country has been
turned in the interest of the favored few, and
the toiling millions are left to suffer, IAp-
plausel.
We are told by great many men, "You fel-
lows know nothing about the finances OF the
country" A gentleman remarked TO me the
other day, ''How is it you fellows know so
much about finances when the greatest finan-
ciers of the country say they can't under.
stand it,"
L have been trying to solve the problem. and
1 read in the book of Truth that God some
times chooses weaklings TO confound the
stood up in the United States senate and at
tempted to make a tlrade upon James
Blaine. Blaine was member OF the senate
and NofOheeS OF The lower house when the
silver act passed. Blaine acknOwl-
edged he didn't understand the result of it,
and Voorhees, plead ignorance. Yesterday a
wOOdhaner In the city of Terre Haute said 10
me: 81 can't read, but there is one thing /
have been studying about: | have TO pay
taxes on this team that hauis my load OF wood
which i sell for one dollar, While man VINO
has $4,000 in U. s. bonds pays no tax, and
don't think that is a fair deal" Laughter
There Is an example of the weak eonfounding
the Nigh V; while Voorhees, and Blaine plead
ignorance, the woodhaller hits the nail on the
head. Renewed laughter. The laboring men
well, and think probably a little better.than
our former leaders, and would II not be well to
reverse the matter and let the men who can
not understand this thing stay at home?
We aie told that the national party is made
up of sore heads and disappointed office seek
would be much like the old wOmans pound of
butter. She was taking Ii TO market when
the purchaser saw a fly wing on TX. lie said
ais this butter clean? see a fly wing on il"
The woman says: II know that pound is clean
and no mistake, for / picked out double
handful of flies" Laughterl "Well," said
the purchaser, ''if that be true, ID as soon eat
the flies rs the butter" And SO l think; we
had about as soon take the sore heads as what
is left Renewed laughter.
am more than proud that our meeting has
been so harmonious one. 1t has been stated
that we would have conflicting clements here
that we could not harmonize-that men de-
sirous of being placed in nomination and seek
ing notoriety, and If every man s pet idea can
not be carried out, there would be a general
break up in the convention to-day; but mu -
say il has been one of the most orderly meet
inls for Its size 1 have ever been init has
Deen more like an old fashioned camp meet
ing than a political organization.
/ would say in conclusion that feel that the
next governor OF the state of Indiana VIII be
elected by the nationals. think we VIII do II
by such an overwhelu ing vote that we viii
not need the assistance of high commission
20 decide who viii be entitled TO the chair.
lADplause.l / believe the balloting Will be so
decided that we will not need the assistance OF
a committee TO fnves igate frauds on the part
of the national party. And, sirs, feel that as
the neople have begun to think and act indie
pendently, with just the spirit that ought 10
characterize the people of the United
States. feel that the voting viii be done
in, the most Simnle WaV. and that victory