The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-11-01
COLORED MEN INDIGNANT.

Mass-Meetings Held DenouncinS the CIVIL.
Rights Decision-Tho Race Will Support
the Party which Acknowledges Their
Rights.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23. An immense
meeting of the colored people w:s held at
Lincoln Hall last night to denounce the re-
cent decision of the Supreme Court In the
Civil-Rights case. Prof. ]. NJ. Gregory pre-
sided, and seated upon the stage were all
the prominent local colored leaders in the
capital. Frederick Douglass delivered the
first address. He counselod moderation, but
urged the colored people to right their
wrongs at the ballot-box.
He was followed by II. G. fngersoll, who
in strong language denounced the decision,
and asked the cOlored people not to condemn
the Republican party until it had Endorsed
the decision. His speech was received with
rapturous applause throughout He was
followed by Judge Shellabarger in the same
strain. Because of the lateness of the hour
many of the speakers announced did not
speak. The streets for squares around were
crowded by people unable to gain admit
tance to the hall.
Resolutions were adopted declaring,
among other things, that it was the duty of
all lovers of their country and all friends of
justice to see to it that full and equal prUtec-
tion of the laws was. afforded every citizen;
that the Republican party should be
held to the enforcement of its demand
for complete liberty and equality in the
enjoyment of civil, political, and pub
lie rights; that the Democratic party
should be reminded Of its declaration in the
National Convention in 1872, that 1t recog-
nized the equality OF all men before the law;
and that it is the paramount duty of the
coloIed voter to give his aid and support to
that party or coalition of parties that would
give force and meaning to its utterances,
pledges and demands.
CINCINNATI, Oct. ga mass-meeting
of colored people filled Zion Church last
night to express their sentiments on the
Civil-Rights decision. +. A. Thompson pre-
sided. Prof. w. II. Parkham made an elo-
quent speech deplOring the action of the
court as setting back the progress of the
cOlOred race. He was yehemently cheered.
Peter Ii. Clark followed in speech defend
ing the action of the Supreme Court as one
which must be governed by principles of
law, and not by personal predictions, and
also as likely to eyentuate for the best inter-
| est of the cOlored race, who could rely on
the people of the several States for equal
| rights at tile polls and at the bar of Justice.
| Rev. Mr.. Caldwell, of Louisville, and Prof.
jackson, of Cincinnati, spoke in the same
strain. Resolutions acquiescing in the deci-
| sion and thanking Justice Harlan for his
fidelity to the race and for his own convie.
| tions were passed.
INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 2S.-There was a
very largely-attended meeting of coIored
| people here last night to give expression to
| their views on the overthrow of the Civil
| Rights bill. Invitations were sent to lead
ing Democrats and Republicans, but
/ the former did not respond. SEN
ator Harrison made the principal
| speech, and there were addresses by
Congressman Peele, Hon. j. w. Gordon,
General John Coburn, and others. ResolU-
tions were adopted condemning the decision
as a narrow and partisan view entirely al
variance with the principles enunciated by
| Lincoln, Sumner and others, and calling
upon the colored men to compel political
parties by their votes to recognize ;the citi
zenship of the race.