Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-05-01
CoL0BED- CONFERENCE.
Second Days Session OF the Meeting at
Piftsburg.
Political Resolutions Introduced "A
Lively Debate.

PITrsBURe, April S0.-The Colored In
terstate Cenferenbe reconveneG st 10 80
o'clock this morning, and after some uR-
important routine business, Geo. I. Down
ing, OF Rhode Island, presented the follow
ing resolution, without predatory remarks:
Rssotccd, That tho Republican and Democrstic
managers have not as rule respected the .iSn.s
and proper feelings of the colored citizens II the
management of their parties and in the admins
trations TO which they have been selected and
elected; that this has been true in the face Of re-
peated appeals and protests on the part of the
colored people and friends; that we cherish the
hope that the above parties will see it is polite,
al least, to change the policy in this regard that
it is both polite and manly for the colored voter
TO await events and not at the present time COM
nit himself to any political party.
Mr.. Downing moved that the resolution
be considered in executive session.
This caused a lively discussion; Fred
Douglass, Chairman Wheeler and Il. NJ.
session, while Messrs. Downing, Smith
| and Lee favored it. Wheeler said he had
| no political place, no political purpose he
would not proclaim from the housetops.
We are not here merely as negroes, but
| as American citizens, and there should be
no question which could not be discussed
| in broad daylight. Downing thought q
| private discussion for the best interests
| The Rev. Smith said the trouble with the
| negro was that he was eternally afraid
| He cared nothing for the opinion of the
white people; he was citizen OF the
| United States. Continuing, he said: 81
swear before God; this morning, that in
| future / will wear no political clothes pre-
| pared for me without even taking my
measure or consulting me as to the style
| and color of the garments. l am tired o1
being held up as a red rag for the political
| bull"
Mr.. Downing then proposed to with
| draw the resolution for an executive
session, stating that he did so with a view
| to pouring Gil on the troubled waters.
| When the afternoon session opened The
committee reported q series of resolution:
declaring the socalled civil rights decision
| unjust and unwise that the Republican
and Democratic parties have not respect
ed the rights and proper feelings of the
colored citizens, and that committee b'
| appointed, TO meet after the two great po
lftical parties have held their nationa
conventions, and after reviewing their ex
| pressions aud nominees, issue an address
to the colored voters and the country gen
orally saying what, in its judgment, viii
be the best policy for them to pursue
The Presidential campaign and election
| resolution provoked heated discussion
and was finally defeated by vote of 3
to 81.
George T. Downing then offered the fol
lowing resolution:
Resolred, That it is impolitic to depend upo
any party for the protection of our rights, es
pecially if that party is not true and eonsisten
| in its treatment of US. We should therefore ap
peal to all parties.
This was also defeated, when the fol
lowing address was adopted, after which
the conference adjourned sine die.
That protection of the citizen is the first an
highest duty Of the government, and hence I
citizens look for help. That the colOred men ST
| part of the great whole and actions should b
so directed as TO conserve ITS best ana highest IN
tereS;s. That to do this the friendship Is neede
that will aid the race and secure fo9thold III al
suits; friendship that, will be feIt m. TIA
| great manufactures of the country as well as a
the polls. That they demand for themselves an
children an equal chance in the struggle ier plac
in the higher pursuits of life in order that coloTe
| youths may not be forced to unite with the disol
derby and turbulent elements of society. That o
| -abiding and order-IoTing citizens mus
| deplOre infractiOns of the public peace, ind
| eating as they do a gradual lessening of respe'
| for law. That it is the opinion of this confcTenc
| that this lamentable condition is due to iailur
| to vigorously. enforce the laws, and that the ur
| Virginia brought forth legitimate fruit !
| Cincinnati, and, unless suppressed, wi
| political structure. That the iendish and hells
| outrages in the South, perpetrated for polite.
purposes, furnish an example Of mans iahr
| manity unparalleled in the annals of enlighten ne
| civilization. That they demand ofthose VIII
| control the forces and energies Of goyernmeI
| to make perfect citizenship triumphant through
out the land. and that they refer to this not I
| launt the bloody shirt for party purposes but
signify their purpose to yield their support to tt
party that will most faithfully strive to secure
all citizens the full exercise of constitutions
| rights.
A vote was taken which resulted as TO
lows: Lincoln, 4; Logan, 20; Blaine, 19
Edmunds, 6; Grant, 3; Butler, 3; Harlan
3; Arthur, l; Harrison, 2; no choice, 2.