The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-07-26
THE NEGRO CONVENTION.

Claiming to represent the colored
people of this State, assembled in
the negro Methodist Church in
Columbia, for Purposes best known
to themselves. The convention
elected delegates to the colored
convention in Louisville, to, mis-
represent the eolored people of
this State. The following remark
able address was adopted and pub
lished: ~ -
THE ADDRESS OF THE COMMITTEE.
We, the committee appointed by
the Convention on address and res
olutions, beg leave to report the
following: Fully recognizing the
Importance of the purpose for
which we have come together and
knowing the allegiance we owe in
common to our country, can find no
better opportunity ofpresenting our
grievances than in convention as
sembled, believing that the prin-
ciples of equal civil and political
rights are vital to the interest of
good government, and that they
can only be enforced by the carry
ING out Of the priciples engrafted by
our fathers in the organic law of
our land as set forth in the Bill of
Rights of our Constitution. Recog-
nizing only the common brother
hood of men, we, as race, are in
debted to the Republican party for
free citizenship and the partial en-
joyment of the rights thereto. We
believe that the full enjoyment OF
each and every right can only be
obtained by the continuance in
power of a party whose aims are to
protect all and prescribe none.
While acknowledging the benefits
received, we are compelled to indict
the Republican party for its omds,
sions in the past six years, as far
as itsrelates to its administration in
connection with our race. We con-
demn the action of the National
Republican party in conferring
every office of honor, emolument OF
trust upon white men to the exclu'
sion and detriment Of our race.
We wish the American people to
understand and be informed that
we are cursed with the most dam:
nable form of State Government
to which free people have ever
been subjected. By legislation the
right to enjoyment of an honest
vote and a fair count has been
taken from us.
The right of a fair trial by an
impartial jury is denied us. The
rights Of our people in the civil and
criminal side of the Courts are not
protected The verdicts Of the ju,
ries and the sentences Of the Courts
are determined by The condition
and color of the parties accused OF
crime. The lynching of our peo'
pie for suspected offences has be.
come prevalent in this State, and
its tendency being to disorganize
and disrupt communities, promote
crime and place law and order at
defiance, we feel called upon to de,
nounce in unmeasured terms such
fiagrant and so far unpunished viola,
tions Of law.
Our public school system is by
no means efficient. The schools
are in operation but a few months
during each year. Inefficient teach
ers are largely employed for the
sake Of cheapness, and they say
on account Of poverty, not being
able to await payment, are fire,
quently under the necessity of sell
ing their claims at a discount. The
best qualified teachers, on account
of their meagreness Of salaries and
the shortness Of the session of the
school, are forced to forsake the
field ofinstruction and follow other
avocations.
The present system of hiring out
and working convicts. upon any
other than public works we con
demn. While we cannot deny the
power of the Legislature to enact
laws to the detriment of even con
victs, yet we would set upon then
the seal Of condemnation and ask
the Legislature to wipe out the
iniquitous system at its earliest ses
sion. AS representatives of thai
race most victimized by the avarice
and greed Of heartless corporations
and individuals, we thank the press
of the State -for2 the unanimity witt
which they have condemned .an6
stigmatized this inhuman and bar
barous system.