Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-04-03
THE oo1oRED vorERs' MEETING.


William q. Lswis presided over the
meeting at the colored voters held in the
National Hall at Ninth and Walnut
streets Wednesday evening week.
There was q number OF addresses mad de
in which the object of the meeting was
approved and the address issued to the
oolored voters of the State wsa heartily
endorsed. The determination was freely
expressed TO no longer rely upon any
political party for elevation, but to
adopt such measures as would in
sure their recognition as American
citizens at other times than Just
prior to an election. Disgust was ex-
pressed at kind, and even friendly
trestme t received when su election ia
approaching aud often after 1t has passed
with being Ignored entirely, especially by
those whom their votes helped to elect.
The speakers oisimed that they should
I 9 consulted es TO the choice of the candi-
dates for whioh they were expected to
cast solid oolored vote. The opinion
prevail cd that the movement had been
delayed too long by at least several years.
X was reported that the colored voters
of the Fifth ward are generally in favor
of the principles embodied in the address.
After b4iug called upon several times,
James A. Anderson addressed the Assem-
b'sge. He was grstifed by the state
m Dts made that all the speakers con-
currad with the movement and were
willing TO aid in the work, which he felt
was progressing, He spoke Of the stead
fastDess Of the oolored people to the party
with which they have been identified
since they have had suffrage, and noted
the absence OF some pronounced party
method of assisting them to a higher |
grade of elevation. He did not feel COM
pelled 10 ask the Republican party for |
snything 1t is their prerogative as men |
and citizens to enjoy anything that any |
one else enjoys. II is an easy matter for |
the Republican party to say whether or
not il will agree n the expressionB of the |
address h0d grsnt them the recognition
which by right is theirs. "Not as the
Morning NeUs says, that We are only |
looking for official recognition 1t is
deeper than that, there is something else
beside ofii5e that needs to be looked
after" Referring to insinustioas that
his race aspired 10 too important offices,
he asked If 1t wss disgusting or dis
gfacsful for a black man to fill
a public office for which he
WAS qualified. On the contrary, he said,
If qualified and elected, it would be to
the credit of his RAGS. IL was true, he
sail, there were some positions which
they might not sdvisably fill. 81 don't
know rs there would be any real credit
for black man to be on the police force,
especially at this time. cannot view it
in that light. At the game time, con-
slider black msn would would make as
good policeman Ba q white man."
He objected TO being handed ready made
tickets TO vote, in the formation Of which
the colorsd man had no part. He sd-
mittei that some colored people had held
important public positions, but it was for
political effect. Fred Doug ass, he said,
when United States marshal for the Dis
triet of Columbis, was not permitted to
perform certain duties of his office
became of his color and not from lack
pt sb llty. OF the l,600 colored
votes Of the city, he felt confident that
Lwo.thiyds Of them concur with the prin
oiples of she circular issued. II, ssid
hat the actions taken at the meetings
were wa chsd by spies in the interest Of
certain sources, in closing he said that
Il the Republican party cannot answer
The deiasnda If their addieae, they can
lnsw5r them themselves, and that they
would nc longer be put off by promises.