Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-07
INDIGNANT NEGRO YOTARS.
Stirring Speeches by the Leaders,
Thoughtful Voting X, commended
Ignored by the May or, sheriff and
white Voters.

Stirring Speeches by the Leaders,
Thoughtful Voting X, commended
Ignored by the May or, ,SherIT and
White Voters.
The meeting at National Hall Tuesday
evening for the benefit and advancement
of the oolored voters WAS we'll attended,
about so responding to the call. L. P.
b. Henry read the call for the meeting
and permanent organization was effected
by the election OF the following officers {:
President, Kennsrd l.. Bsysrd Woe
President, William s. Lewis /; Secretary,
l.. p. B. Henry.
Much enthusiasm WAS manifested by
the audience, and the opinion that the
colored people had rot been recognized
and that 1t WAS iu q measure their own
fsult, was expressed. The remedy pro-
posed was union of the oolored voters
and full, intelligent and open discus.
sion of the situation.
Addresses were made by James A.
Anderson, Peter $. Blake, John Dilshay,
John A. Marsh, Theodore Purnell, Gerard
d. Rollins, JOhn Virgins. William NJ
Winston aud others.
Mr.. Anderson claimed that the colored
citizens had been greatly misrepresentsd
and Cited instances Of what he called rude
treatment from the white people. He
argued that both blacks and whites be
longed to the same race, the human, and
contended that the only way In which
his people could attain their rights was
to effect thorough and complete organ
izstion on a good and substantial basis and
interchange Of opinions on all subjects,
aud otherwise further their advancement.
He favored withdrawal from the Repub-
loan party and the working together as
one mass, and the maintenance OF the
dignity and honor OF citizenship. If an
opportunity was presented, said he, he
would vote for oolored man in prefer
enoe to white one, il the oolored man
was superior to his opponent. He urged
his brethren to pay their taxes
and to vote knowingly. By doing
this the oolored people would command
respect from those who had heretofore
been disposed to take no notice of them
except at the polls. The speaker said
he knew many oolored people who
needed coal this winter, criticised the
manner in which City Council had soted
in the matter Of providing poor fuel, and
asserted that II the oolored people would
combine, they could send ooiored man
to City Council to advocate their
cause and present their condition to the
public in a way that white man could
not. Only one or two positions, and
they are OF no Importance, said he, are
filled by oolored people. These Offices he
wanted thrown up, as they did the COL
ored race no good and acted only as
blind to oolored voters to support the
party which gave. Referring to the Young
Mems Republican Club he said Its mem
bers had marched with colored men In
parades, had worked with them at cleo
tions and shouted glory hallelujah with
them at Publications, but when 1t came
to the celebration Of the clubs third
anniversary not one oolored man In the
city WAS invited to be present. This,
sarossticslly exclaimed the speaker, is an
instance Of the high estimation In which
we are held by our Republican friends.
William NJ. Winston ironically re-
marked that one colored man attended
the anniversary, but he acted as waiter.
Laughter.
Peter s. Blake said the oolored people
of this country had called upon both the
Democratic and Republican parties to
halt, and they must halt. In local affairs
he favored what had bsen advocated by
Mr.. Anderson. Referring to the election
of Mayor Wales, he said ii he had
known three days before the election how
the oolored people were to be treated,
Mr.. Wales would not have been elected.
When the mayor WAS asked to give offices
to colored men he refused, saying they
were inefficient. There are, the speaker
oontended, scores Of oolored men capable
of serving on the police force. A recent
interview with Sheriff Martin in regard
TO the appointment Of oolored
doorkeepers at the court house,
together with the statement of the sheriff
that he would have to consult his friends
before making such appointments, was
related. In conclusion the speaker said
he favored withdrawal Of colored voters
from all former affiliations aud the organ
izstion OF the said voters tor their own
advancement. As for himself, he was
tired of being honeyed while voting and
ignored when he asked for equal rights.
1t was decided to organize city execu.
tive committee, to bs composed of one
member from each ward, with President
Bayard chairman, ex-ofhcio, and instruct
each member OF the committee to name a
ward committee Of three members
each. The executive committee as
far as selected is as follows: First ward,
William Whoatley Second, William H.
Barrett Third, Henry Jones Fourth,
Theodore Purnell Fifth, John Dilahay
Sixth, James A. Anderson Seventh,
Spencer Williams Eighth, William
Miles. Lawrence Fisher declined to serve
as a member from the Ninth ward. The
appointments from the other wards was
postponed until the next meeting, which
will be held at the call Of the president.
After the meeting had adjoureed, Mr..
Anderson stated to q representative of
the GAZETTE that he had not referred
to the anniversary Of the Young Mems
Republican Club in the form OF COM
plant, hut to demonstrate how Repub-
lioans treat colored people when the
campaign is over.