River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-10-04
ColOred Mems Address to the People.
The Colored Mems convention, recently
in session at Louisville, KY, adopted the
following address to the people:

IN session at Louisville, N.Y. auopted the
following address to the people:
The national convention of colored men assem-
bled respectfully present the following, as embrace
ing and representing their views nd sentiments:
First-That we are grateful for and rejoice in the
marvellous emancipation that came to our race
twenty years ago. The shock OF embattied armies
was the lullaby Of a nation born in a day We do
not, we can not, forget the great sacrifice of women
and heroic men who made possible the struggle
IN which treason and slavery were consigned TO a
common sepulcher. nor would we be unmudful of
the measure of devotion and patriotism that the
white and colored soldiers rendered the nation
Second-We are not insensible to the fact that the
congress Of the United States has spread upon the
statute books many laws calculated to maze us Sc
cure in our rights as ctiZeu,; nor would we be for
getfu Of the magnificent amendments to the cou-
stitutiou in ended to render forever impossible hui
man slavery.
Third--We do not ask any mere class legislation
We have enough of this; but we do believe that
many of the laws intended to secure us our rights
as citizens ave nothing more than dead letters In
the Southern States, almost without exception, col
ored people denied justice in the courts, denied
the fruit Of their honest labor, defrauded Of
their poitcal rights at the ballot box, shut out from
learning trades. cheated out Of their civil rights by
nu-keepers and common carrier companies, and
left by the States to an inadequate opportunity for
education and general Improvement
Fourth-We regard the labor question, educa-
ton aud moral training paramount to all other
questions We believe that question, especially in
the South. needs recastug, and that the plantation
credits and mortgage system should be abolished
holders OF the South should recognize that tuis
question is to be solved by encouragin the negroes
to industry, frugaity and business habits; by lnct
ing them 10 habits of thrift; by assisting them to
acquire interest in the soil; by pay
ing them honest wages for honest work,
and by making them content ana hap
by in the land If their nativity While men of
the soil in the South can settle the question Of la
Dor and capital between white and black, we be-
heve that broad, comprehensive system should
be inaugurated looking toward the education of
young coiored gir,s so that they may become in
teiligent and faithful women, and By the aid of
which young colored BOYS may learn trades. The
religious and moral training of race should not
be neglected.
Sxtb-The failure Of the Freedmen's Savings
ana Trust company is The marvel of our times 1t
was established receive the earnings of persons
heretofore held in bondage, and the descendants of
such persons. The government should reimburse
the creditors Of the bank
Seyenth--Dstinctiou between white and colored
troops in the regular army is IN American, unjus
and ungrateful White men enter any branch
Of the service, but coored meu are confined TO the
cavalry and infantry service.
Eighth-It is hot our province to dictate policy
for the government of action of our fellow citizens
in the several States. 1t is matter that their cir
cumstauces patriotism, and peeds should shape.
Ninth--As race struggling aud contendinR for
political and civil rights, We are not unmindful
of the efforts Of Ireland 70 gain her freedom, and
we give to Irish friends our profound sympathy
and best wishes.
1enth--We earnestly desire the abolition of chain
gangs, the Abundance to trades unions OF men OF
our race and employment in commercial pursuits.
EleVeuih-In nearly every State of the Union,
both North and South, the people of our race are
not allowed to enter freely in trades or gain employ
Of institutions and urtful to the reputation Of
our country at home and abroad.