The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1883-10-05
Colored Mems Address to the People.
Tue Colored Mems CONVENTION, recently
in session at louisville KY. adopted the
following address to the people:

III eeosAoA az ACuoVA4Ae, N.Y. duOpteu Tue
following address to the people:
The national convention of colored men assem-
bled respectfully present. the following, embrace
ing and representing their views and sentiments:
First-That we are grateful for and rejoioe in the
marvellous emancipation that came to our race
twenty years ago. 1h- shock of embattlei armies
was the lullaby Of a nation born in day. We do
not, We Can NOT, forget the great sacrifice Of women
and heroic men who made possible the struggle
IN which treason aud slavery were consigned I" q
the measure of devotion and patriotism that the
white and coored soldiers rendered the nation
Second-We are not insen>ibe to the fact that the
congress of the Uuted States has spread upon the
statute books many laws calculated to make US Sc
cure In our rights citizens: nor would We be for
geifui OF tue magnificent amendments to the con-
sttution Intended to render forever impossible hu-
man slavery
Third-We do no: 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
us citizens are nothing mnre than dead letters In
tue Southern States almost without exception COL
ored people arc denied justice III the courts. denied
their political rights at the ballot box. shut from
learning trades cheated out Of their civil rights by
inn-keepers aud 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 recastinR and that the plantation
credits and mortgage system should be abolished.
Honest labor should be remunerated The land
holders OF the South should recognize that I 10
question is to be solved by eucouraRn the negroes
to industry, fruga:y and business habits: by incit-
ing them to habits of thrift; by assisting them to
acqare an interest in the soil: by pay
Ing them honest wages for honest work,
and by making them content aud hap.
by In the land Of their nativity. Whilc men Of
the soil in the South can settle the question Of Ia.
Dor and capital between white and black, we be-
leve that q broad. comprehensive system should
be inauyurated looking toward the education of
young coored girls, SO that they may become in.
teligent and faithful women. and by the aid Of
which young colored boys may learn trades. The
religious and moral training of our race should not
be neglected 49,
Sixlb-The failure Of tho Freedmen's Savings
ana Trust company is the marvel OF our times. It
was established to receive the earnings of persons
heretofore held 10 bondage, and the descendants Of
such persons. The government should reimburse
the creditors OF the bank.
Observation-Disclosures between white and colorsd
troops in tue regular army is un-American, unjust
and ungratefui. White men can enter any branch
OF the service. but colored men confined to the
cavalry and infantry service.
Eighth-lt is not our province to dictate policy
for the government of action of our fellow citizens
in The several States 1t is matter that their CIR
cumsances. patriotism, and needs >hould shape.
Ninth-Asa race struggling aud contendng for
our political aud civil rights, We aos unmindfu
or the Efforts OF Ireland to gain her freedom, and
we give to our Irish friends our profound sympathy
and best wishes.
Tenth-We earnestly desire the abolition of chain
gangs, the abundance to trades unions OF men OF
our race and employment in commercial pursuits.
Eleven: hin nearly every State of the UniLn
not allowed to enter freely in trades or gain employ
ment IN the higher walks OF life This is unworthy
OF our institutions and hurtfu 10 the reputation al
our country at home and abroad.