The sun., 1881-01-15
C0L0RED MEN AT MENTOR.
LAYING THE GRIEVANCES OF THEIR
RACE BEFORE GEN. GARFIELD.
Askinv for n Different Glass OF Federal APP
pointments In tho south. and n Change OF
Pslicy-Gen. Gnrneld's Guarded Reply.

Asking for Different Cias. OF Federal Ap-
pointuents In tho south. md a Change OF
Psi'cy-Gen. Gnrneld's Guarded Reply.
CLEVELAND, o., Jan. A-A colored delega-
tlon visited Mentor to-day and waited upon
Gen. Garfield. The delegation was composed
OF II. B. Elliott. Samuel Lee. and D. A. Straker
OF South Carolina. Henry e. Curry OF Texas.
James b. Deveroux Of Georgia. Geo. W. Price.
Jr.. George l. Mabson. James W. Hood. John
A. Leary. ]. W. Harris. and Steward Ellison OF
North Carolina. Mr.. Elliott, the spokesman,
said they had come to present a statement
of the condition OF the colored men in the
South, who are compelled to endure griev-
Gus wrongs for mere opinions sake. He
went on to say that In all the Southern
States they were citizens In name only that
their right to participate In elections Is not
only questioned. but. in many localities. abso-
lutely denied by means OF armed violence,
fraud. and intimidation: that they are power
less to redress these wrongs in the State courts.
as those courts are organized against them. the
jury oftentimes being composed OF those who
sympathize with the violators OF law. and
frequently. In part. by the active partici-
pants in the wrong doinHs: that even
In the Federal courts the perpetrators Of these
under the present jury law. enacted by Demo-
cratic Congress- the aiders and abettors Of these
upon them. Another dfiiculty. he said. under
which the colored peop,e labor is the want OF
proper educational facilities for their chi ldren,
arising In many instances from the inability Of
the state Governments to meet the educational
demands OF their Inhabitants. In view OF these
difficulties the delegation urge the impor-
tance OF creating national educational system
for the toilinR masses. under the supervision
and control Of the Federal Government to the
end that II may Justly be said OF our country
that II not only enfranchises all. but educutes
all. While not Intending TO indicate or express
any preference rs between Republicans for ap-
pointment to Office. they nevertheless deem it
their duty. In the interest oitthe col"red peoplet
as well rs OF the Republican party at large TO
call attention TO the character OF Fed
eral appointments IN the South in the past.
and to respectfully urge that men who are not
| In sympathy with the Republican party. and
who use their positions to obstruct and hinder
| the enforcement Of laws enacted for the protec-
| tion Of the rights OF American citizens b.. no
| Federal Government Such appointments. they
| say. instead OF strengthening the Republican
party In the South, have been n positive source
| OF weakness. The address concludes as follows:
Believing the same manly courage which characterized
your utter In the city vi New YORK last summer 10
lnnisraton oi the laws without favor or partially we
look forward with pleasure TO the time when
you shall assume the control Of the Government
| As you did not them sir Qhough your own
election stood trembling In the balance). altcr III
rendering full Justice to the 10y atty and patriotism Of our
race at Wagner and at Lusts and III the h.ry
services rendered by them in gvinI to the
trys defenders who had made their IRON South.
ern tombs OF living death. We feel confident that our
rights and interests in with th others. Will
not he forgotten neglected by in tue hour your
triumph
Gen. Garfield responded as follows: