Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-10-05
Coiored Mems Address 70 the People.
The Golored Mems COW ention. recently
in session at Louisville, KY. adopted the
following address to The Eeoplss

Co1ored Mems Address 70 the People,
The Golored Mems convention. recently
in session at Louisville, KY, adopted the
following address to the Feoplss
The national convention ct colored men assem-
bied resDectfn T present the follgsg, as embrac-
ing ana representin Ing their views andsentiments:
First That weare grateful for and rejoice in the
marvellous emancipation that came tosour race
twenty years ago. The shock of ernbat.lAd armies
was the lullaby Of nation born in a day. We do
not we can not forget the great sacrifice Of women
~ which treason and slavery were consigned to a
common epulcher. nor would we be nnmindful OF
| the measure Of devotion aud patriotism that the
white and colored soldiers rendered the nation.
SecondWs are not insensibla to the fact that the
congress OF the United States has spread upon the
statute books many laws calculated to make us So
cure in rights as either nor would we be for
getful OF the magnificent amendments to the cou-
stltutaon Intended to render forever impossible hu
Third-Wed do not 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
| as citizens are nothing more than dead letters. In
the Southern States, almost without exception coli
ored people denied justice in the courts denied
| the fruit Of their honest labor, defrauded OF
their political rights at the ballot box shut from
inn-keepers and common carrier companies and
left by the States to inadequate opportunity for
education and general improvement
|. Fourth--Ws regard the labor question, educa-
| ton and moral training paramount to all other
questions We believe that question, especially in
the South needs recastinP. and that the plantation
credits ana mortgage system should be abolished,
! holders OF the South should recognize that t.is
question is to be solved by encouraginr the negroes
to industry, frugaity and business habits: by inci-
ing them to habits of thrift; by assisting them to
acquire an interest in the soil; by pay
| ina; them honest wages for honest work,
and by making them content and hap.
py in the land IF their nativity While mon of
the soil in the South settle the question Of la
Dor and capital between white and black, We be-
ieve that a broad. comprehensive system should
be inauPurated looking toward the education of
young colored girls, SO that they may become in
! telllgent and faithful women, and by the aid of
which young colored bows may learn traded. The
religious and moral training of our race should not
| be neglected.
| Sixth--The failure of the Freedmen's Savings
| ana Trust company is the marvel Of our times. It
was established to receiye the earnings OF persons
heretofore held in bondage, and the descendants Of
such persons. The government should reimburse
| the creditors Of the bank.
T. Observation-Disclosures between white and coored
troops III the 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-1t is not our province to dictate policy
for the government Of action of fellow citizens
in the several States 1t is matter that their cir
curnstances. patriotism, and needs should shape.
Niuth-As race struggling aud contendng for
of the efforts of Ireland to gain her freedom and
we give to our Irish friends profound sympathy
and best wishes.
Tenth-We earnestly desire the abolition of chain
gangs, the admttance to trades unions of men OF
our race and employment in commercial pursuits.
Eleven'h-ln nearly every State Of the Union,
both North and South, the people of our race are
not allowed to enter freely in trades gain employ
ment in the higher walks OF life. This is unworthy
Of institutions and hurful the reputation OF
our country at home aud abroad.