The Northern Pacific farmer., 1883-10-04
COlored Mems Address to the People.
The Colored Mems convention, recently
in session at Louisville, KY. adopted the
{o11owin nn o1droeo to tho poor1e.

IN session at Louisville, n.y., adopted the
following address to the people:
The national convention of colored men assem-
bled respectfully present the following, as embrsc-
ing and representing their views and sentiments:
First-That we are gratefulfor and rejoice in the
marvellous emancipation that came to our race
twenty years ago: The shock of embattled armies
was the lullaby of nation born in q day. We do
not, we can not, forget the great sacrifice of women
and heroic men who made possible the struggle
IN which treason and slavery were consigned to q
common sepulcher. nor would We be unmiudful Of
the measure of devotion and patriotism that the
white and colored soldiers rendered the nation.
Second-We are not insensible 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 our rights citizens: nor would we be for
gelful Of the magnificent amendments to the con-
stltuton Intended to render forever impossible hu-
Third-We 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 moro than dead letters. In
the Southern States, almost without exception, COL
ored people are denied justice in the courts, denied
their political rights at the ballot box shut from
learning trades. cheated out of their civil rights by
inn-keepers and Common carrier companies. and
left by the States to inadequate opportunity for
education and genera! Improvement
Fourth-We reeard the labor question. educa-
ton and moral training paramount to all other
the South, needs recasting. and that the plantation
credits and mortgage system should be abolished.
Honest labor should be remunerated The land
holders Of the South should recognize that t. is
question is to be solved by encouragin the negroes
to industry, frugality and business habits: by inct
ing them to habits of thrift; by assisting them to
acquire an interest in the soil; by pay
ing them honest wages for honest work.
and by making them content ana hap
py in the land of their nativity While men of
the soil in the South can settle the question of la
Dor and capital between white and black. we be-
leve that broad. comprehensive system should
be inaugurated looking toward the education of
young colored girls, so that they may become in
teligent and faithful women, and by the aid of
which young colored BOYS may learn trades. The
religious and moral training of our race should not
be neglected.
6xtb-The failure of the Freedmen's Savings
ana Trust company is the marvel of our times. 1t
established to receive the earnings of persons
heretofore held in bondage, and the descendants of
such persons. The government should reimburse
the creditors OF the bank
Observation-Disclosures between white and colored
troops in the regular army is un-American unjust
and ungratefu. White men can enter any branch
of the service, but colored mon confined to the
cavalry and infantry service.
Eighth-lt is not our province to dictate policy
for the government of action of our fellow citizens
in The several States. 1t is matter that their cir
cumstances patriotism, and needs should shape
Niuth-As a racer struggling and contendinR for
our political and civil rights, we are not unmn1ful
of the efforts OF Ireland to gain her freedom, and
we give to our Irish friends our profound sympathy
and best wishes.
Tenth-We earnestly desire the abolition of chain
gangs, the admittance to trades unions of men Of
our race and employment in commercial pursuits.
Eleven;h-In 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 our institutions and urtful the reputation of
our country at home and abroad.