Evening star., 1883-10-23
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MEETING.
An Immense Gathering Of COlOred
Citizens,

ADDRESSES BY FREDERICK DOUGLASS, COL
ROBERT G. INGERSOLL, HON. SAMUEL SHELLA-
BARGER AND DR. J. e RANKIN-THE RESOLUTIONS
SCENES IN THE HALL, &C.
The interest felt by the colored people in the
questions raised by the recent decision OF the u.
Supreme Court on the civil rights bill, mani
tested by the immense crowd that applied last
Dght for admission at Lincoln hall, where the
meeting, called by committee OF colored men to
discuss the decision, was held. AS early as six
O'Clock people began to arrive at the hail. and long
before the hour for calling tine meeting to order the
crowd within the hall was so dense that the
doors had TO be shut. 1t was only by
most energetic action on the part of the committee
men, aided By the police, that the gentlemen In
vted TO speak, and TO sit on the platform succeeded
Ia making Their way through the crowd that be-
sieged the doors While there were upwards oil
2cO0 people In the han, choking the aisles and all
lhe exits, fully as large. number were turned
away. Though the gathering was largely composed
of colored people. there were many white people
present. The crush in the hall was so great that
disorder was threatened I'm different parts Of the
hall several times during the evening but urIiet
was each time restored without much difficulty
The crush reached the stage and left but lit
Tie space lor the speakers. Among those who sat
ON THE STAGE
were score or more of ladies, including a delega-
ton OF coofel school teachers Among those who
sat on the stage besides the presiding officer. Prof
j. NJ Gregory, We're Col. r. G. Ingersoll, Mr.. Fred
erick Douglass, Hon. b. X Bruce MIR A. NJ Clapp
barSer. DR.. j. E. Rankin, b. D., Mr.. VIM. A. Cook.
LOUIS H. Douglass, Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood, Mr.. M.
NJ Holland. Mir. Geo. c. GOrham, President w. w.
Patton, of Howard university; Rev. Francis Grimke,
Rev j. W. Moore. Rev. A w. Upshan, Rev. VIM.
Wiley Lane, Prof R.T. Greener, Mr. Perry ii. Carson,
MI. X ID. Ruftin. Mr.. w. G. Chase, ex-Representa-
tive pezendorf OF Dirginia; Geo. W. Cook and Capt.
{. a. Fleetwood Quite list OF possible speakers
was announced before the meeting but so much
time was occupied by the addresses OF Mr.. Doug
lass and Mr lngersol that the subsequent proceed
ings were cut short. 1t was after ii O'Clock when
the meeting adjourned. Rev. +. J. Grtmke opened
the proceedings with prayer. Prof. Gregory hav-
resolutions were read by Mr. Lewis Ii. Douglass and
unanimously adopted.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
TheSe resolutions set forth that words Of ndiGna-
ton or Gisrespect aimed at the Supreme Court
would be useless as means for securing the pro-
lection due to the manhood and citizenship OF the
cniored race; but, on the contrary, would tend to
ALLEVIATE the friends of the race; that it is the primal
duty of friends OF justice to to it that the full
and equal protection Of the laws afforded every
citizen; that the colored people mold the republican
party to the enforcement of its demand for equal
rights that they remind the democratic party OF It's
declarations in recognition OF the equality Of all
lnen before the law: that it is the paramount duty
oi Ie colorcd yoterto give his m and support to the
party tht viii give force and meaning TO Slcn utter
anc'S that no more conclusive evidence of sincerity
OF such utterances be afforded than the adOp-
llo IN The several states of measures guaranteeing
TIE protection sought to be established by the civil
rights act OF 1875 that the meeting invite the CO
operation OF all good men and women in securing
lie iegls;atlon necessary to complete the freedom
OF the cC!Ored citizen, and advises the immediate
organization OF civil rights associations throughout
tIG country.
Mr. FREDERICK DOUGLASS
was then introduced and Justify applauded He
spoke about half an hour, reading his utterances
from manuscript. Only mean and base men, he
declared saw any justice in this triumph over the
colofed race. He thought that the civil rights law
enacted In the interest," OF liberty. entitled to
the benefit Of every doubt as to its validity but 1t
mad been subjected to the narrowest construction
ton in their conduct. The people, he declared,
wanted no black Ireland in the United States
COL r. G. INGERSOLL
was next introduced. and his name was received
with wild applause Before he began speaking
stentolian voice in the rear of the han shouted,
"llufrah for Blaine' but Mr. Ingersoll at once
quetcd the enthusiastic tumut by raising his hand
He spoke for nearly Two hours. He had d large
bundle OF manuscript which the legal part OF his
address written. At Intervals however. he droD
ped his manuscript and passed out into the region
OF spontaneous eioquence. Every eloquent burst
VINO stamped. cheered ami shouted in applause.
once after storm OF applause Il colOred woman in
one OF the galleries near the stage, carried
away by the excitement, rose to her feet and
Da@ln jumping and bobbng up and down in the
Old camp meeting fashion. droning out some hymn,
10 which she kept time with her feet. The whole
crowd at once broke into roar OF laughter. With
some difficulty the neighb0rS Of the demonstratve
woman pulled her down into her seat, where, hay
ing discovered her mistake, she remained quiet
during the rest Of the evening. Col. Ingcrso de
ciared the decision as the worst one made by the
supreme Court since the Dred Scott decision was
announced He declared the right of the citizen to
cilticse the decision of the Supreme Court. even
though it must he taken for granted that the
Judges arrived at their conclusions honestly. Jle
1nade long legal argument against the
decision, claiming that the court in previous
utteInces had maintained the right OF Congress TO
enact such laws as had been nulliled by this de-
clSlOn. He referred TO the Supreme Court of old
days, as having stood by the Institution of slavery.
AMI said that it was the last fortress of the cOnfed
efacy TO yield. He declared that in this decision
should have begun with the last amendments
They should have another amendment. and still
another, until the freedom and equal rights OF every
citizen was assured He declared that the republi-
can party should not be held responsible for this
decision unless 1t indOrsed it, When lie closed he
ne was greeted with three rouSing cheers, led by
MI Frederick Douglass
OTHER SPEAKERS.
Hon. Samuel Shelabarger made brief address In
moderate tone, saying that whether the Congress
that passed the law or the Supreme Court that an
nulled it was mistaken, the course was to cor
the last speaker. urged mixed schools, mixed
churches, and perfect equality.
THE TRAINING SCHOOL FOR NURsEs-The winter
course OIL lectures before the Washington Training
School 1or Nurses was 1nauguated last evening at
All Souls church. DR.. j. Tabef Johnson presided
ara ll;tde a brief Introductory address, Mr.. II.
ROSS Perry delivered an address upon the nobility
OF the calling OF nurse; DR.. ii. p. Fry spoke upon
the nature OF the training required for nurses, and
Prof. Alexander Graham Bell spoke Of the comfort
ana happiness Drought into 4 home by the trained
nurse.
ner 5th and OStrtctS northwest, which was to take
place this afternoon, at 5 O'clock has been post
poned, on account OF the rain, until Saturday alter
noon, at the saline hour. See the advertise
d