The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-10-04
C0lored Mems Address to the People,
Tne Colored Mems CO.. " ntion, recently
in session at Leu sville, Ky, adopted the
following address to the eople:

CNiOreU Mems Address to the PeODlc,
Tne Colored Mems co. ntion, rec=ntly
in session at Leu sville, Ky, adopted the
following address to the people:
The nat onal convention Of co!ored men assem-
bed resn'cfE!.y present the following, as embrace
ing and representing their views md sentiments:
F!rst-That We arc grateful for and rejoice in III.
marvellous emancipation that came to our race
twenty years ago. III shock of elnbat!led armies
was the lullaby ct ration born in a dag. We d..
and heroic men who made possible the struggle
III which treason and slavery consigned t. a
common sepulcher. nor would We be unmindful Of
the measure of d-votion and Patriotism that the
white ana colortd soldiers rendered the nation.
Second-We are not inseu>be to the fact that the
congress Of lie United States has spread upon the
statute books many laws calculated to maze se-
cur. IN cur rights as CITIZEN nor would we BE- for
ge;tui Ct the magnificent anle1dm MS to the con-
stltuton in'enued to render forever impossib, hu-
man slavery
1hird-We do not ask any mere class ler:,l sion.
We have enough OF this: but we do believe that
many of the laws intended secure US our ii III
as c.t!zsns are no hing N than dead letters. In
Tue Southern States, almost without exception co
ORD people are denied jus ice in the courts, denied
the fruit of their honest labor, defraui,ed of
tIelr political rights at the ballot box. shut out from
learning Trades. cheated out Of their civil right, BY
nM-Heepers ana mnon carrier companies. an i
lett by the States 70 inadequate opportunity for
education and general improvement.
r. urfn-"e regard the labor question: educa-
ton aud moral training paramount to ali other
qutst1"Ls We believe that qu-s ion, especially in
me Sou' n. needs recas'hR, and that the plantation
circuits ana mortgage system should be abolished
Honest labor shonL! be remunerated The land
TO ders of the South should recognize that is
QUESTION is to be solved by encouragn the negroes
to industry, frugai'y and business habts by nett
;acqaire an interest in the soil: by pay
in: them honest wages for honest work,
aud by making them content and hap.
by IN the land IT their nativity. While men OF
the soil IN the South can settle the nuasrion f Io
Dor and capital between white and black W. be-.
!'eve tina; II broa'i. comprehensive System shoull
DC lnau.uraed looking toward tho education of
tc.ligc1t and faithful women. and by ,h4. aid of
which young colored bows may learn trades. The
be negl .cttd. "
Sixtn-Thc failure of the Freedmen's Savings
ana Trust company is The marvel O: our times It
was established to receive the earnings of y .rions
heretofore held in bondage, and the descendants of
the c1e'ii ors OF the b,nk
Observation-Disclosures between white and co!ored
troops III the regular army is un-Amercau uniust
ana a, unsratetu; White men can enter any branch
cavalry and inf :ntry service.
E!ghtI-l Is not our province to dictate po,icv
lor Il government OF action of fellow citizens
N me several Sta es- It's matter thar their cir
EumS'a'c's. patriotism, and needs hould shaue
SIntE-As a race struggling aud contendine for
our political and civil rights, We are not unmlndtul
of The efforts of Ireland to gain her freedom. and
and best " shes.
Ien'h-We earnestly desire the abolition of chain
gangs. he amtance to trades unions of men ri
our race and employment In commercial pursuits.
Ell ven HIN nearly every Safe of In. Union
hon n ''r;h and Sou h. the people Of our race are
40 allowed to >ntcr freely in trades or gain -lnpoy
uI"nt in the higher walks OF life. This is unworthy
II our lnsttu ions and hurful 10 the reputation 81
our cOuntry ut home AMI abroad.
-O"