The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-26
1t Is Listened to by Many Prominent White
Citizens. and Is Adopted as Me
mortal to Congress.
A Wrangle Over the Completion of
the Organization.
Hours Spent in Fruitless Talk, but Finally
the List of Vice Presidents Is Announced
and Committees Appointed.
FRED:DoUGLAss,s SPEECH.
Many Prominent Whites Listen to His Plea
for His People.

many prominent whites Listen TO HIS HIea
for His People.
LOUISVILLE, KY, Sept 25.-When Fred. Doug
lass, at 10 o'clock, came into to Liederkranz
Hall to deliver his speech, he found very large
crowd in attendance, many white persons hav-
ing come to hear his pie forhis people. On the
stage, beside the leading colored men, sat Ex-
Attorney general James Speed, of Linooln's cab
met, General James A. Ekin, U. 8. A. retired,
and number of other whites of prominence.
Mr.. Douglass spoke for TWO hours, his speech
being logical, often humorous and always inter
esting. He sketched the history of his race since
emancipation, frequently sarcastically Sc
we're on the government, and incidentally on the
Republican party. He was listened to with 1n-
terest. and received frequent and generous ap-
plause
Since the conclusion of his speech the conven-
tioE has in vain labored to complete its organi-
zatiOn. Too many orators are on the floor, and
Mr. Green, the temporary chairman, who is pre-
siding while Mr., Douglass rests from his recent
eXertion, is unable to control them.
Since Fred. Douglass has been free man he
walked down the hall to the presidents desk
this morning The really fine-iookng old col
ored apostle of his race was dressed for the
casion; his white hair never streamed in the
wind more bravely; nor was his step ever firmer.
He had won victory, it seemed to white and
black alike here and he had right to feel eated.
White and black had come to hear the most cell
ebrated cOlored man in the world. Leading
lawyers, merchants, doctors and military men
form and on the outskirts of the hall.
1t was scene to create enthusiasm,
and Douglass felt it. He had message to send
to the country, and sent it in excellent form.
Referring to the old days when the specter of
slavery haunted the land, he passed quickly to
thCae better and brighter days which brought
freS.Om, education and acknowledgements Re
ferring to the causes leading to the convention
he said: "NO reasonable man will ever object to
white men holding a national convention when
they are IN our condltlon ana we IN theirs. Ex-
amples are plentifuly abundant where the
whites have hated the blacks, the border men
the Indians, the negro the Chinese, ana vice
versa. We must move, as people, toward the
goal of prosperity and education. Now that we
are free, let us, like free men, take the reins in
our own hands aud compel the world to receive
us as their equals. This city, metropoli-
| tan in size, cosmopolitan in ideas,
is still not free and liberal enough in opinion to
| receive us as equals in che public buildings end
hotels. This Is why we are sitting ia national
convention. We have been given numerous
platforms, bu5 sti ia she same condition.
What we want is not idle words and idle cpl
thets in our praise, but actions. We have never
been helped, but assistance comes from all sides
| to help us In our downward course. If we come
as cart-drivers or servants we are received but
when we come as scholars OF statesmen the
color-line is raised. The colOred man is an op-
pressed and abect race in the United States.
The trades-union refused him admission, me-
chanics refused him as an apprentice, and even
when he dies the old contempt and
despite follows him. He is spurned from the
gates and compelled to seek a resting
place of his own. If he applies for admission TO
the colleges or aspires to education and profess
sion the race line is again drawn. That is what
we are here for--to raise this line and make an
equal of the whites. The cause lies more in the
diseased Imagination of the Americans than in
firm belief We are here to see to it that men of
our color accused of crime shall have fair trial,
that all these outrageous lynchings be stopped.
Our business is to organize for our rights and for
the redress of our wrongs. Some say that
we should not hold this convention, for
it menaces the Republican party. Parties
are made for men, and not men for parties. My
hat was made for my head, not my head for my
hat. If parties do right, stand by them, but
when they do not uphold their principles laid
down in the platform, down with them. Follow
no party blindiy. We have learned how to talk,
and lei us speak for ourselves about civil rights.
Every man is the sole proprietor and lord OF his
own house, but when any place is opened for
the public everybody recognized as citizen by
the law has right to enter. This does not
make men equal; talent and intelligence are al
ways triumphant.
"When l speak to an intelligen man five min
utes forget all about his color. Now. about po-
litica equality. Tnever was q politician. 1 be-
gan my career pleader for the aggrandize-
ment of my race, and am not afraid to tell what
think about all kinds of equality This stamping
out of the black Republicans of the South has
been done in the face of the Republican party.
This convention should implore Congress for the
restoration of justice, and for the abolition of
this most detestabe state of affairs. Make the
constitution practically what it is theoreti-
cally, and there will be end to all this
filth of the ballot box and to all the
injustice of the color line. The New York Even
ming Post makes a great mistake when it says,
BE modest. You have been but twenty years
out of bondage These officeholders are afraid
of our aspirations. We have heard the voice of
Jacob and felt the hand of Esau. We shall never
cease to be a. despised and excluded class as
long as are shut out from political prefer
ment. We cannot ignore the fact that to this is
to be attributed the degradation Of the race
Elevate one of our class to the vice-preeidency
or to position in the cabinet. and our equality
shall have been established. We
not prepared as yet, but let us aspire to those
positions which we can fill. We hold it self-evl-
! dent that nation made up of all varieties
should not be governed by one class. Where
there is a ruling class there is a subject class,
and when the day comes when this nation is
governed by one class it ceases to be a govern
! ment of the people, for the people and by the
people,"
The above is but bare outline of a long and
eloquent address, spoken with earnestness
which showed faith in the speaker in the destiny
of his people. The applause was generous
enough to suit the most exacting.