Huntsville gazette., 1883-05-19
Some Sensible Resolutions.

SOnaO Sensible koSOlutlOns.
That portion Of the resolutions on
health. adopted at the recent meet
ing Of the oolored citizens of Chatta-
noopa, dsserve attention and conside-
ration. The great thinker, Emerson.
tells us that call kinds Of power usu-
llly emerge at tho same time; good
.nergy and bad; power Of mind, with
physical health" and that too high .
price can not be paid for health.
Proper attention to the laws OF
health wonld. without doubt decrease
the alarming death rate among the
colored people. We therefore COM
mend the following resolutions a. time
y and wise, and trust that for the
general welfare they will not be Civ
On simply . passing notice, but their
suggestions be put into practice.
WznaAs. The percentage OF death
among our people, compared with that OF
the white people, is far from being encour-
ing; and, -.
Wz1RxAs, We believe this unfavorabls
showing results from causes which lie IN .
great measure under our control; there
fore, b it
Resolved, That We will devote more time
in seeking to acquaint our people with
those hygsnic laws, knowledge OF which
is 20 essential to the proper preservation Of
health an life.
Resolved. That We appeal to the city
to enforce strictsr sanitary reg
ulations throughout the city, also to cor
denim, if possible, chose miserable shanties.
which unfeeling, oovetous mon compel un-
fortunate families to rent at exhorbitant
prices, regardless Of the seasons.
Resolved, That We urge our people to
procure homes Of their own In healthful
to keep the premises and all that
pertains thereto free of Alth ct every kind,
to discontinue late hours at halls, churches
etc., to provide for the table more nutri-
tious diet, that is to say. less ''bacon and
cabbage" and moro vegetables. fruits,
cereals, etc., to encourage more healthful
forms Of recreation and amusement, to
connect a. closely as possible. reading and
study with manual toll. and to avoid con-
stantly excessive indulgence of the appe-
tites and passions. BY observing these
precautions we believe much sickness will
b prevented and the alarming number of
untimely deaths will be greatly diminished
ip time to como.
Resolved, That we recommend the hold
ing Of frequent meetings for the purpose Of
questions touching the laws of
health and tho temperate welfare of our
people.
Resolved, That We regard the enforce
ment Of the law, known as the Sunday
closing law, a. = wise measure, greatly con-
ducive to the health Of our people by Sc
curing them the blessing of quiet sab
bath, and removing temptation to hurtful
forms Of vice and immortality.
opposing the Convention.
Richard T. Greener, L. L. D., the emil
nsnt colored orator and scholar, was asked
about the proposed Convention of colored
men called to meet in this city September
next.
II have great doubts if it will be held,
said hs. But your nsme is attached to the
call.
II know It," he replied, "but it is en-.
tirely unauthorized. l do not attend the
of the committee. because knew
they had no status among the colorsd pso-
pie of the country, who are naturally and
properly restive under dictation or direc-
tion from Washington. especially when the
motive is in doubt. Men who have rarely
shown interest in our race outside of re-
aiming themselves in Office are not the
'tuf to make real leaders out of. 1 ana op-
posed to Conventions. They do harm
rather than good. In them we gather our
most turbulent elements. Washington,
100. is the worst place to hold Conven-
lion. Why not Richmond or Nashville 2
We have our rights under the law. We are
free; have citizenship; have education or
educational advantages, and some degree
Of civil rights. What more do these msn
want? More Office; Office. that is all
Some of these mon remind me of the Fe-
nian element among the Irish-men who
retard Irsland's progress. They have been
dancing about, braadishing their shella-
lah's, 80 long, that they believe the old
method still effective. soms of our men are
run mad over the notion that this country
is to be run to furnish offices on the raco
quota, and because We were once wards Of
the nation, We are to be forever under
believe in standing up
for my rights when assailsd and demand
ing all that belongs to me as an American
citizen, but no more. If the negro could
get rid Of his black leaders, and his white
philanthropists by profession, who follow
him from the cradle to the grave, he might
in time develop into q useful citizen. His