The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-18
TOOK 1T HARD.
The ColOred Convention at Springfield
Don't Like the Action of the
Supreme Court.

The colOred people OF inc otate nave
been holding acoqvention in Springfield
this week, and were having a glorious
time until the decision of the Supreme
Court reached their ears, deciding uncon
stitutional the civil rights bill of 1875,
when they suddenly wilted. The
committee on civil rights Immediately got
together and drafted resolution, which
was adopted by a unanimous vote. The
resolution is as follows:
The war is waged. After years of
contest the problem of American citizen
ship is solved and flashing across the
wires comes the Supreme Courts latest
edIct. The negro has no rights which the
public is bound ito respect Not faster
did this mornings frost-burnt leaves
wither and fall than did the hearts of
seven million freemen sinklwithin them.
Americans by birth. enjoying some of the
blood-bought privileges OF liberty and
franchise, we have waited patiently for
that perfect civil recognition to which we
are unquestionably entitled. The civil
rights enactments of 1875 were framed to
perfect the boon of citizenship, but their
enforcement was stayed by appeal to the
Supreme court of our land. Reprehensi-
BILE has been ''the laws delays" but we
have rested in the assurance that the
party which could make q citizen wfs
able to protect him. But the fiat has gone
forth, and the knell of the perfect faith is
sounded in our ears. The Republican
party recognized the abridgement of our
civil liberty and sought a remedy, but
alas, in vain. The noble heart of Sum
mer, the fertile brain of Blaine, and the
approving hand of Grant were powerless
for good. Their failure impeached their
ability or sincerity-the latter God forbid.
But we need not despair Adversely
discovers truths which prosperity con
ceals. The sorrow of today may be
tomorrow's zeal. Despair of succor from
other hands will forlfy our own. We
face the future sh0rn of the glimmer of a
| false hope, but conscious of the reality
and willing to meet it. Glass legislation
is failure. We have had our share and
want na more. We are no longer wards
of the nation. and ask no longer the pro
lection that does not protect. We are
ostracised, robbed of civil rights and
denied the respect accorded to felons, and
our friends tell us they can do us no good.
The supreme court witnesses the cOntin-
ued abridgement of our citizenship, and
saws the observation-disclosures afford
no remedy.
God helps those who help themselves.
The remedy hencefOrth must be in our
own hands. The civil rights already
| accorded us in the several states, will
hardly be abridged. For others we must
labor and wait, By the intelligent exer-
else of our franchise we shall demand the
rights which hitherto have been denied
our prayers. Words of friendship will
avail nothing when deed fails to attest theiI
| seniority The ballot has voice that
even the supreme court must hear and
heed BY the means of education, ouI
race will become better able to demand
and the white race more willing to yield
the amenities of civil life which legisIa
ton has failed TO procure. Deeds to
lands, mechanics certificates and CONNER
cial paper must be the civil rights bills OF
the future. Success with them is certain
without them failure is swift and inevita-
BILE. In the shadow of our present sorrow
we hear again the dying accents of thC
immortal Sumner, DO not let the civi
rights bill fail " But espoused by all The
power of a mighty party, it failed. II
the light of our future requirements let II,
recognize our tasks. bare our shoulder,
for the burden, and resolve that we shall
not let our civil rights fail.
Rev. HENRY BRowN
]. n. HOWARD.
r. c. WARING.
W. WINS
X TAYLOR.
WILLIS F. WRIGHT.
r. M. MITCHELL.
L. S. SINS.
JESSIE BISHOP