Huntsville gazette., 1883-09-08
EIGHTH DIST, CONVENTION.
THREE DELEGATES ELECTED.
Resolutions Adopted, Speeches and
other Proceedings.
Decatur's Welcome.

rdry Chairman, was cBlleQ 10 OIuer at IL
O'Clock H. by Charles Hendley, Jr., tempo>
rary Sact'y. Mr.. Francis Davis, of Madi-
son, was called to the chair by unani-
nous vote.
On motion Mr.. Thos. II. Watkins, of
Lawrence, was elected temporary assistant
Sec'ty.
On motion of Mr.. w. a. Blankenship,
the Chair appointed the following Commit
tee on Credentials: w. II. Blankenship,
of Madison. w. E. Northcross, of Colbert,
Stephen White, of Lawrence; Y. Wal
lace, of Lsuderdale; E. II. Jones and Rick
ard Moore. of Limestone and John Shelf
| field. of Jackson; NJ. Lester, Franklin; n.
Tisdale, of Morgan.
A motion by H. j. r. Williams, requir-
ing all motions and resolutions to be offer
ed in writing was lost.
! Pending the absence of the Committee
on CREDENTIALS III the preparation of it's re-
port Mr.. A T. Walker, of Limestone, and
Hon. H. V. Cashin. of Morgan, addressed,
the Convention ia response to calls.
REMARKS BY Mr.. WALKER.
Mr.. Walker said in substance : Mr.
Chairman, Gentlemen and Fellow citizens;
Representing the people of North Alabama
we meet to-day uninfuenced by partisan
prejudices, passions or selfish motives as
public servants, having as one of eur du-
ties the selection of three delegates to rep
resent US in the National Convention to as
semble at Louisville, Ky, on the Oath inst.
This large representative body is a happy
assurance of the success of the call of that
great leader, the Hon. Fred Douglass upon
the people to come together and consult
and advise as to their condition, and tu-
ture prospects and hopes. 1t remains for
US to do our duty to ourselves, our coun-
| try and our posterity by selecting our
abless and best men to go there to help
rightly 10 influence public opinion and
wisely counsel and plan for this and COM
ing generations of the race Positive men
are needed. That body, now promising to
be the greatest of all Colored Conventions
should also teach the Republican party, the
party OF our allegiance and trust, Of which
we are now and have long been one of the
greatest factors to its success-should teach
that party that We deserve fairer and bet
ter recognition at its hands.
Loud calls brought Mr.. Cashin to the
stand. His address was eloquent, logical
and timely, eliciting great applause. Brief
| ly Summarized, he said: As looming
events cast their shadows before" this Con-
vention is happy angury for the future of
the race. The demand of the people now
are for leaders of education. of sterling
character and ability who know their du-
ties and their rights and knowing dare
maintain them. Honest labor has SO long
gone unrequited, vain appeals made for
justice so often to the courts that at last the
long suffering and enduring people have
decided to go before the
BAR OF PUBLIC OPINION,
the opinion of the honest masses and seel;
redress. 1t is not legislation that We need
tai principles of the Constitution to secure
every man equal aud impartial rights. Oar
only appeal is by means of the tongue and
pen not to arms-to mould il favorable
opinion. Conventions must be the means
Through them let US say TO the honest pub
lie everywhere, "The Negro is improving
in education and morals. is earnestly and
perseveringly working to better his condi-
ton in life. That his efforts are retarded
by cruel and inhunan treatment, his com
mon rights are disregarded and life too Of
ten barbarously taken by lynch law" Yet
withal the signs of the times are cheering.
AS God raised up Moses for the Isra-
elites so must we have Moses. Occasion
made one Fred Douglass: occasion will
make another.
The speaker here recited the evidences
of progress all over the Union made since
Freedom by the Negro and pointed to the
great crops of the South as conclusive
refutation of the charge that colored peo
pie are thriftless and lazy, and lasting
monument to their thrift and industry.
Yet the courts of justice persecute them
and the railroads OF the South show more
respect and offer better treatment to vii.
llans and outlaws than to colored ladies and
gentlemen. If his ideas of the remedy fol
this was carried ont colored men who have
} their wives and daughters thus insulted by
would knock them down. Yet if this nat
ural remedy was resorted to no jury could
be found in the land but what would be
prejudiced against the defender of his fam.
lily. Still, and Notwithstanding our imper-
feet school facilities, there are men who
ask what is the nse of Convention
After dwelling at some length on the po-
lltical status of the Negro, the duty of the
Republican party to more fully recognize
him as faithful supporter, the speaker,
amidst applause, retired to give way for
the report of the Committee on Credentials
which report was adopted.
The following delegates were reported
present and entitled to seats.
Colbert County-W E. Northcross Har-