Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-09-08
oEoUAL RIGHTS LEAGUE"

4
Under this caption the editor Of tho
Altoona Sun, of the 18th, elaborates as
follows:
"A gathering of about one hundred
and fifty negroes, who designate them.
selves the Equal Rights League Of
Pennsylvania, has been in session in
this city for the past two days. Scan.
ming the proceedings OF their meetings
closely and the average citizen would
take II for granted that he was read
ing tho proceedings of somewhat en-.
thusiastic Garfield and Arthur cam.
Paign club. In point of fact this is
Just what the Equal Rights Lights
League amounts to and pitiiul spec.
tacle II is TO sec tho selfconstituted
representatives Of the African race in
Pennsylvania proclaiming their utter
servility TO the party which has rever
yet dared to give the negro rcprosen.
tation upon either its local OF State
tickets. In effect the members of this
so called Equal Rights League are as
completely owned and as thoroughly
controlled by the Radical Republican
party managers as il would be posi-.
bic for them TO be wero they the chat.
tie property they once were. TO those
who have never believed in the ca.
pacity Of the negro for self govern.
meEt the performance Of the League
in this city during the past two days
will furnish an additional evidence of
that lack of independent stamana
which is essential to the existence of a
selfgoverning people. But it is un.
fair to judge the people of the State by
the gathering at the opera house, for
we are certain that It by no means
represents either in expression or at.
tendance the true sentiments OF q
large element of the colored people of
Pennsylvania. II is noticeable fact
that men of the genius and culture and
independence of William Howard Day,
Of Harrisburg, and Others of his type
are not present. Such men have lived
TO learn. They fully understand the
utter hollowness of Radical Republican
protcstations of sympathy for the
black race, as such, and their approx
ed Judgment points to the permanent
and enduring triumph Of Demo- ratio
principles as the only safeguard for
the rights Of citizenship, white or
black. In these essential points the
colored man OF the south is far in ad-
vance of his northern brethren. He
has learned that his true interests can
best be subserved by acting harmoni-
ously with and in concert with those
who were his former masters, and the
result is best shown in the magnificent
prosperity of the southern States aud
their rapid increase in wealth, popula.
tion and Democratic majorities. There
the negro is not merely used as a vot.
ing commodity. Democratic Conven-
tions nominate him to responsible local
offices and even to represent his dis.
trict in the Legislature Where is the
spot in the Republican strongholds of
the north whore the equal rights of
the negro are thus acknowledged?
We take it for granted that the
League" has no politica! geography
in its possession upon which such an
oasis is marked. No, the simple truth
is that while the great mass Of the col.
ored population of the south is in full
accord with the true principles of a
common Democracy, they also moro
fully and practically understand the
meaning of equal rights than do their
brethren Of the north, especially of
Pennsylvania. The African race south
started in the march of improvement
and better destiny in the face of
many drawbacks and obstacles, not
the least of which was the partisan
blindness and ignorance of their north
ern brethren. But fortune and cir
cumstances favored them and now
they are far in the advance. Learn.
ing to think, and act, and vote indie
pendently, they have compelled re-
spect from all parties, belonging as
body TO neither one or the other On
tho "'''"" - - = -.
State, proclaim in advance that they
are the property of the Radical-Repub-
lican party--a tail TO John Cessna's
campaign kite-and ready for any use
the managers elect choose TO put them
at. At the best this is a most con- 3
temptible position, but as it is an open
secret that the current expenses of
this Convention of the "Equal Rights
League" will be footed by the Radical
Republican State Central Committee,
of which its President Mr. Nesbit, is
member, there is nothing startlingly
wonderful in the affair after all.
Whether Cessna will consider the
premium on the investment pay
ing speculation, remains to be seem"