Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-30
IN THE woLD OF POLITICS.
The Republican Factions Wage Open
War in the Louisville Primaries.


LOUISVILLE, KY, April 29.-At the
Republican primaries held in the various
wards of this city last night to elect dele
! gates to the State Convention the feeling
was so bitter between the Arthur and
| anti-Arthur men that, with one exception,
the ward elections were very disorderly
and resulted In the selection of two sets
of delegates. Hon. Walter Evans, Com
missioner Of Internal Revenue, was elect
ed delegate from his ward.
THE COLoRED CONFERENCE.
PITTsBURG, April 29.-The interstate
| conference of colored men assembled in
Municipal Hall this morning, seyenty-fve
| delegates being present from Connecticut
Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New jersey
| Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, the District
of Columbia, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas
and Louisiana. Among them were Fred
Douglass and Bishop Green, of Ohio
The convention is composed of fine body
of men, and determination is expressed
to prevent it being used for political pur-
posed. At 10 O'Clock the convention was
called to order by Rev. c. S. Smith, of
Bloomfield, ILL.,, who made a stirring adj
dress, stating the object of the conference.
He said:
1t Is unfortunate that we have to so fire.
Quenliy appear before the public as complain
ants and yet so long we have just reasons
to complain we ought to do so. Some of our
friends seem to have grown weary of agita-
tl9n because, as they say, they cannot see
what good II accOmpiishes. We must scatter
the seeds of agitation, strike hard and fire.
quent blows, run the DlOwshare of truth deep
into the soil of public sentiment, and over
turn it until il becomes permeated
with the living energy OF justice
and right. Our situation is peculiar. We
have enemies within as well as without. We
by class OF self constituted leaders who can
see no cause for alarm so long as they are well
provided for. l regret the necessity Of giving
an open rebuke to these. A flew cOlOred
Office holders have been bending their ener-
gies to weaken the influence of this meeting.
They have industriOusly circulated not only
false but slanderOus reports concerning the
motives of those who have been its main pro-
lectOrs. All is well. they cry. Certain
ly all is well with them and
Will be SO long as they are
ana strut around claiming to carry the votes
of the colOred people in their pockets. and use
their false assumption as a stepping stone to
political preferment. They belong TO the
gang who simply seek after the lOaVes and
fishes, and are satisfied with even crumbs and
scales. They have wisely stunned this meet
ing. The men who are here are not hireings:
constituting, as we do, one-eighth of the
entire population, anchored to the soil of our
birth by thoughts, ideas and aspirations that
are in perfect harmony with true American
life, absolutely loyal in our feelings to every
interest that will tend to shed increased
lustre upon our cOuntry's fame; growing in
intelligence ana into the broader cOmprehen-
sion OF the possibility Of the future-if we
wisely deal with those concerns which now
press upon our attention we are destined to
be potent factor in that cosmopolitan civili-
zation which is now budding into fruitage
upon these shores. lie urged harmony in the
conference in order that their efforts should
prove of advantage to the race.
Robert Jackson, OfPittsburg, was elected
temporary Chairman. An address of vel |
come was made by VIM. Banks, of Pitts
burg, which was responded to by Robert
Pelham, Jr, Of Detroit. A Committee on
Permanent Organization was appointed. |
Fred Douglass was nominated for tempo
rary Chairman, but the convention aD-
proved the nomination of jackson.
The convention took a recess, and when
it reassembled, as the Committee on Per- |
manent Organization was not ready to |
report, the time was taken up in reading |
letters of regret from persons who were |
unable to attend. A motion to allow |
Fred. Douglass to be heard gave rise to |
considerable opposition. and calls were |
made for the report of the Committee on |
Permanent Organization. Finally, Doug |
lass himself arose and said: 81 am a |
member OF this convention, and 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. 1 |
do not come here to have leave asked for |
me to speak. 1t is not necessary that |
privilege should be begged for me. When |
the time comes l shall demand my right |
to be heard, as l shall concede the same |
right to every other member of the con-
ference"
The committee then reported for Presi- |
dent, Lloyd G.. Wheeler, of Chicago. The |
list of Vice Presidents included Fred |
Douglass.
A Committee on Resolutions, composed |
of one member from each State, was ap-
pointed.
Price Williams, of Philadelphia, here |
created intense excitement by assailing |
the ability of Wheeler, who was nomi- |
mated for permanent President, and offer |
ing as a substitute the name of Fred. |
Douglass. The motion was voted down, |
and the report adopted. Wheeler was es- |
corted to the Chair, and delivered an ad- |
dress,