The state journal., 1884-03-22
FROM THE SMOKY CITY.
Forecasting the Results Of the
Colored National Convention
Duty Of the Government
to It's Citizens.

IIrrsBuRG, March i9--The efforts
that are bsiDg made by some Of the
men OF our rae to forecast the results
Of the coming National Convention Of
colored men, which Is TO convene in
this city on the 10Th OF April, comes
with i'll grace from those vino claim
that their sule sim Is to elevate the
race and prot Ct their civil ami 20
litical liberty. In Republic like
this all men have reasonable right
to claim prat5ction against wrong.
This is the ohje1t Of the convention,
and until they have met and deviated
from this aim their actions should not
be prejadgcd simply because the men
who are active III politics have not
been assigned as leaders in this move
ment. In ante bellum days it was
the po!jcy Of cur oppressors to keep
the colored people divided against
themselves, and the same policy has
been pursued BY the politicians in re-
gard to disuniting the colored citi-
zens, and in every effort put forth by
us to obtain the recognition that
should be accorded Us az part Of the
great body polite We are met with
the assertion that it is our own fault,
from the fat that we are disunited,
and if they DO anything for one por
ton Of the co!ored citizens they will
find an ECU ] number Of them arrayed
in opposition. 1t j. patent to the
most casual observer that the majority
Of our race who hold political poei,
tions aplear to lose their personal
identity, and express no opinion 10
regard to the interest Of the race, I'M
less it is in accordance with the policy
mapped out by their political leaders
That equal justice has not been ac-
corded to our race in the South, is
shown by the murders that have been
perps tratad upon us for the last
twelve Years, whilst the only puni-h h
ment inflicted upon their assassins
has been to send them to Congress or
reward them with some local Office,
and it is the right and duty Of the
Government 10 do more than appoint
an investigating committee before
each National convention, and after
it has served lie purpose to throw it
aside with the useless capes, torches
and banners which have been used to
recusitate the dormant enthusiasm Of
the masses. The hour has come
when We should demand deeds as
well as words, from those who ask
our assistance, to maintain their gu
premacy in the affairs Of the Nation.
SO long as the strong arm OF the
Government fails to protect our
rights as American citizens, the Con
stitution Of the United States is to
the colorcd people but bitter fruit,
dead sea apples, and is as useless as
painted ship upon painted ocean.
The Constitution was established TO
insure justice, domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence and
to secure the blessings Of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity. Justice
is the fundamental law which both
the people and the Government are
under obligation to obey, and falling
therein it becomes necessary for men
who know their rights, and knowing
dare maintain, to meet together and
express their views upon this ques-
ton, which is more vital to the per
petuity Of a Republican form Of gov
eminent than the success Of any po-
litical clique.
the timid It concerns to ask their way,
And fear what foe in caves and swamps may
stay
To make no step until the event is known
And ills to come, as evils past, bemoan.
Not SO the wise, no coward watch he keeps
To SPY what danger on his pathway creepS.
Go where he will, the wise man is at home
His hearth the earth, his hall the azure dome"
The men who shall give express
sion to their opinion in the conven-
ton do not claim to hold the race
responsible for their utterances and
actions, but will be themselves re-
sponsible. AT the same time they
hope that their course will meet the
approval Of the race in &c neral and
cause the Government to accord that
protection to the colored citizen
which is accorded to every other
class of American citizens, and which
the spirit Of the Constitution guar
antees to all.
The entertainment given at the
New John Wesley Chapel, Arthur
street, last week, was crowded each
night, and the efforts Of the perform
ers were crowned with success. A