The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-30
CONFERENCE OF COL0RED MEN.
that the Pittsburg Meeting Will
Not Be Very Harmonious.

PIrTssuRG, April 29.-The interstate confer
ence Of colored men assembled in Municipal Hall
this morning Delegates are present from Con
neticut, Rhode Island. Massachusetts,, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, District
OF Columbia, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas and Lou
isiana to the number of seventy five. Among
them are Fred Douglass and Bishop Greene, of
Ohio. The convention is composed of fine
body of men, and determination IS expressed
to prevent it being used for political purposes.
At 10 O'Clock Rev c. S Smith, of Blooming
III, delivered a stirring address, stating the OBJ
ject of the conference. The convention was
called TO order and Robert jackson, of Pitts
burg, elected temporary chairman. An address
of welcome was made by VIM. Banks, Of Pitts
burg, which was responded to BY Robert Pei
ham, ir., of Detroit
Fred Douglass was nominated for temporary
chairman, but the convention approved the nom
nation of jackson
The convention reassembled at o'clock this
afternoon, and as the committee on permanent
organization was not ready to report the time
was taken up in reading letters of regret from
d. A Starker, Columbia S. c.; J. A. Brown, of
Cleveland 7. Thomas Fortune, Of New York;
and others who were unable to attend. Mr.
Starker suggested, in view of the recent decision
of the Supreme Court declaring the civil-rights
bill unconstitutional, that the convention de
mand that the Republican party, at Chicago
make an unmlstakabe declaration OF It's purpose
to secure the colored citizen. equally with his
white fellow citizen the constitutional right to
enjoy all privileges, such as intended by the
civil rights bill and that he be protected in the
enjoyment of the same by the power of the
Constitution through the federal tribunals and
the national government: also, that the cOnven-
ton demands from the Republicans pledge for
a free ballot and fair count, and have them to
answer the question, Are the colored people
American citizens, and what are their rights!'
A motion to allow Hon Fred. Douglass to be
heard gave rise to considerable opposition, and
calls were made for the report of the committee
on permanent organization. Finally, Mr.. Doug
lass himself arose and said:
II am member of this convention; my right
to stand on this floor is equal to that of any
other man. This is a conference of
equals, not of superiors and interiors.
leave asked for me to speak. 1t is not necessary
that privileges should be begged for me When
the time comes | shall demand the right to be
heard and | shall concede the same right to
every other member of the conference"
The committee then reported the following per
manent officers: President, Lloyd G. Wheeler of
Chicago vce-presidents George j. Downing. of
Rhode Island; w. A. Price, Of Kansas; j. n
Robert Shaw, Of Illinois; James c. Craig, Of
Michigan; j. j. Holmes. of Connccticut
Fl. Price Williams, of Pennsylvania; A.
II. Newton. of New jersey; Fred Douglass
of the District OF Columbus; secretaries, Z. w.
Crosby. of New York; Robert Petersam, of De
troit; r. II. Robert of New Jersey
The committee also recommended the appoint
ment of a committee on resolutions and address
to consist of one from each State
FL. Price Williams, of Philadelphia created
intense excitement by assang the ability of
Mr. Wheeler, who was nominated for permanent
president, and offering 4 substitute the name
of Hon. Fred Douglass The motion was voted
down, and the report adopted.
Maj Wheeler was escorted to the chair and
introduced. He delivered very able address.
general discussion on Our Political Status
then followed, Prof W. 5. Scarborough, of Viii
berforce, Ohio reading an interesting paper on
the subject in which he arragned the Republic
ansand Democratic parties, and denounced the
policy of exPresdent. Hayes in withdrawing
troops and leaving the colored people at the
mercy of political enemies.
Ferdinand L. Barnett of Illinois, followed,
warmly seconding the views of Prof
Scarborough, and suggesting that eoored
men of the South Let u.s." said he, offer
them the olive branch Let us say to them.
we commend the State its political fortunes and
its civil power to your skilled hands Let us
allay political strife in this manner and the re-
suit will be that all fears of negro domination
would cease, and in a few years ballots now ar
rayed against the Southern white people would
be sought by them in their defense Then the
dominant party, surfeited by success would di-
vide upon issues by which no color line
could be raised, and every man who
to-day most earnestly strives to defeat the fran
chise of the colored man would seek that vote
and endeavor to give it effect"
The conference then went into executive SEES
sion. Rev. c. s. Smith, of Bloomington H.
offered resolution that it was inexpedent at
this time to in,orse any party orany presidential
candidate, which was finally adopted Popular
addresses then followed after which the con
odi al