The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-26
THE COLORED CITIZENS.
An Address Reciting the Necessities
and Demands of the Race.
A Series of Sensible Resolutions Adopted
Routine Business of the Convention
and Final Adjournment

The convention of representative c0lored PEG.
pie OF the State resumed its session yesterday
morning, there being a large attendance and
much interest in the proceedings. A dispatch
was received from the chairman, Rev. j. NJ.
Townsend, who had been called home, reRretting
his absence, and Rev E. W. 6. Hammond was
called to the chair in his place. On motion of
]. S. hinton appropriate resolutions were adopt
ed in memory of Rev. Moses Broyles, who
had been pioneer in the work OF advancing the
interests of the race.
number of additional letters of regret from
prominent men were received and read to the
convention. Among these were the rival candi-
dates for Governor of Ohio. Hon. ]. B. Foraker
wrote:
at is one of the many encoura ging Indications
that the cOlored people are making progress;
that they intend to think and act for themselves
with respect to all great moral and political
questions"
Hon. George Hoadly said: "With no part of
the American people has my sympathy been
more thoroughly enlisted during the whole of
my life than with those you representatives.
elevation is, in my Judgment, a matter of more
consequence than any other one thing pressing
on the attention of American citizens"
Messrs. John T. Mahorney, w. T. Furnas and
Conrad Burnley, constituting the committee on
vital interests of the race, reported dignified
address which was as follows:
THE CONDITION OF THE RACE
We recommend to the colored men of the
United States that they pre-empt the public
prestige to any race as to become the owners of
the soil. 1t is suspicious hour in the history
of the rising generation, and 1t must be taken
advantage OF now, as the immense immigration
upon our shores admonishes us that ere long all
Will be taken up either by purchase or pre-
emption. The commercial interest depends upon
the character of men engaged in business, and
education, energy, economy and capital are the
necessary requisites to make successful bnsi-
ness man.
Professional interests are more of choice than
necessity and are the outgrowth of culture and
wealth. In regard to the masses Of the negroes
In the United States, as they progress financially
and otherwise, the professions can be filed from
their ranks at any time The last census shows
that according to their number the negroes will
compare fav0rably with any other race i'll this
repect. The moral condition is better than most
any other, because a long system of church dis
cipline has prevented them from indulging in
many vices for fear that some odium may there
by be cast upon them.
No other interest demands our attention so
much as that of agriculture. The mechanical
interests of the United States depend largely
upon the development of the agricultural This
age of progress and invention demands close
attention to these matters, for they afford the
means by which large class of citizens can OBJ
tain remuneraUive employment.
The social condition of the masses of the me-
graes cannot be determined from the same
standpoint other natonalities, for their form
clanishness and dependence. As they become
educated to all the usages of society they will
naturally drift into that condition where merit
forces Its way. In regard TO civil rights we OF
Indiana enjoy all the rights that can be obtain
ed by y legislation. Twenty years ago a few
of the negroes, anticipating the future, by ardent
efforts created public sentiment in the interest
OF he negroes and brought about the exercise of
those privileged which we enjoy to-day. While
1t is admitted that in all communities there is
class of men who never learn anything, yet
upon the whole, we congratulate the Anglo
Saxons for their liberality and assistance and
practical acknowledgment that the negro is an
American citizen, and as such should be reoog-
nlZed.
spirited discussion developed over an amend
ment TO substitute the words "colored people"
for negroes" which was finally adopted.
A delegation from the woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union coming into the convention, they
were invited to take seats upon the stage and
address the delegates. The invitation was ae-
cepted by Mrs. Wells. Mrs. NJ. E. Hill, Mrs
Josephine Nicholson, Mrs. Lodie E. Reed Mrs
W. b. Furnace, who spoke briefly, and an appro-
pirate response was made by j. g. Hinton, after
which a recess was taken until 3 o'clock.