The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-08-09
A COOP RECORD.
Speech OF @. w. Albright Before the
State Convention OF CoIOred Men


Speech OF @. w. Albright Before the
State Convention OF CoIOred Men
We take pleasure ID Publishing the
following able address delivered by g. |
w. Albright, of Elmendaro township. be-
fore the state convention of eolored men
held in this city last week:
Mr.. President: I regret exceedingly
that Il is necessary for US, As colored
men, 10 convene ourselves together for
the purpose of securing TO US, as race,
that political recognition that Is secured
20 others. II one should read casually
the declaration OF independence or the
constitution of the United States, he
might say at once this is enough. The
rights OF the colored man are secured.
Yet, in the fsce Of these declarations,
the shackles OF slavery were fastened on
our race for nearly 200 years. The con-
eIiIuIiOn has been amended, our code Of
laws has been revised, until to-day We
enjoy, 80 far as the laws are concerned.
ali the rights Of any other citizen. IL Is
not the law OF which We complain. II
is that political ostracism imposed upon
US in some parts of this country which
- NlI "a A6AeAo1N~ NA4 RANJA-
dice.
thank heaven that here in Kansas,
the battle ground OF freedom, We see In
scribed ON our banner as It floats upon
the breeze, political equality, regard
less of race, color or previous condition
vi serviIude." But, meIhInks l hear
some say, what have you as a race done
that you should demand such recogni-
Iion!" Have we not, let me ask, borne
all the burdens that "A race can bear for
our country You may pardon me gen
tlemen, II refer 10 few facts IN refer
ence to the past history OF our race in
this country. In the events that led 70 the
achievement of American independence
| the negro was not an inactive nor jncon-
| cerned spectator. He bore his part
bravely upon many a battlefield, al
1 though uncheered by that certain hope
Of political elevation which victory
l would secure TO the white man. The
| tall granite shaft, which grateful state
| has reared above its sons who fell in de-
| tending TT. Griswold against the attack
i of BeneGick Arnold, bears the name OF
Jordan Freeman and other brave sons
| Of the African race, who there cement
1 ed with their blood The corner stone of
/ our republic.
General Greene, who has been justly
| STYLED "the Washington of the north, }" in
q letter written by him TO Alexander
| Hamilton from the vicinity OF Camden,
| South Carolina, said: There IS great
| spirit of enterprise among the colOred
L people, and those that came out as vol
unteers are not little formidable to the
| enemy"
At the Battle OF New Orleans, under
the immortal Jackson, a colored regi-
ment held the extreme right OF the
American line unfiinchingly, and drove
back the British at the point of the bay
onet. In 1861, when treason Numbered
at the very gates of the capital, the ne.
gro, true to that patriotism and love OF
country that has ever characterized and
marked his history on this continent
came to the aid of the government in
Its efforts 10 maintain the constitution
The service which he rendered TO the
government, up and down the Missis
sippi, in the valleys of the Potomac aAc
Shenandoah, and around the slaughter
pens of Richmond, during those darH
days, are too familiar 10 you all to be re
peated here, but they will be handel
/, down TO pOsterity as memento TO ris
ing generations.
And, again, let me ask (since l think
have clearly proven our devotion L
our country, have we not, since we be
came freemen, in spite of innumerabl
obstacles, striven TO elevate ourselye
mentally and morally, and labored as in
> dustriously as any other race upon earth
GentlCmen, the time has come tor US u
, think Of these things, and for one hav
come TO the conclusion that in future II
supporting men for positions OF homo
and of trust l will support those an'
those only whom l believe first, to b
{ honest; second, to be fully competent
, and third, to be conscientIously Willing
TO give those who are qualified OF on
own race an equal chance with Them
: selves In the political arena.
, In conclusion, allow me TO remarI
that my defense may be weak, my argu
ment uutenable, but the cause for whic
] speak Is Just cause, and II Is right
eous cause, and 1t Is a cause that ere Ion
will sweep this vast domain from tn
Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Gres
I Lakes to the Cult of Mexico, and justic'
1 simple and pure justice, will be done !
, every man, woman and child in all thi
broad land.