Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-01
NEGROES BREAK A YOKE.
ALL DEBTS TO THE RADICALS
DECLARED PAID IN BULL.

The state Convention Of Freedmen Ia
Virginia Ont or the Clutches OF the
"Grand Old Party"-Tbe Southern
Whites Acknowledged TO be the Best
Friends of the Blacks.
LYNCHBURG. VA, Sept. 30.--A State
convention OF colOred men assembled
here at IL O'Clock to-day. j. B. syphax,
OF Alexandria, was elected temporary
chairman. Il. b. Beckley, Of Richmond,
addressed the convention, saying that this
convention had no. assembled as Rapub-
licans or Democrats, but as citizens Of
Virginia, claiming the right OF freemen.
The eyes OF the world were upon the coli
ored people OF the state. He hoped their
deliberations would demonstrate that
they were worthy to be citizens.
Editor Foster, of the New York Free
man, was invited to scat or the door.
The convention reassombled ats O'Clock
tonight. X. b. Beckley was elected per-
manent chairman and N. v. Backus sec.
rotary.
INDEPENDENcE OF THE NEGRO.
A number Of the most intelligent col-
ored men IN the State are present. The
following address was presented amid
great cheering:
10 Me Colored PeoDle oC Virghaaa:
WHEREAS we, che cOlorel people OF Vir-
ginia, believing as we do that thc time has
come for us 10 call u halt IA the unqualified
support we have given the Republican party.
DO hero in convention aseem embed solemniY de-
clare ourselves politically Isdopendeut IN all
matters which pertain 10 us as citizens OF this
Commonwealth. We have twenty-five years
adhered 70 our political associates with un-
paralleled fidelity. because IN those dark days
OF reconstructl0n the Republican party proved
that 1t was the only party 70 which the COLI
ored man Of the South could consistently ally
himself.
THE DEBT SETTLED.
To that end the colored voters nohly re-
sponded, and raised 10 power and place men
who grew wealthy while administering the
laws OF the United States Government ia the
Southern States. we feel ever eratelul for
what has been done, but now the time has
como for US TO think, act. vote and speak for
ourselves, and especially 30 since the Rupnbli-
cans have practically abandoned Us In former
campaigns and IN all matters where
the negro ought TO have had
recognition In proportion 10 his voting
strength and Intelligence. We know too thai
many OF our race have been murdered ia tho
southern states, but the causes which ied te
these sad occurrences which hnve spilled
our blood ana created the bitter race aniago-
nism which in0w retards cur progress and
makes It difficult for us to live in tie land o.
our birth, are largely traceabie TO the mls-
THE NEGRo's REAL FRIENDS.
These foregoing reasons lead US TO adopt
such methods and 30 80 demRan ourselves as
20 make friends OF those whose interests are
identical IA every way with our own. We
therefore appeal g iha eolored people = our
condition OF Affairs. and la the future
TO make such political alliances as viii
most advance our interests. educati0naily.
financially and politically. We feel sure that
there is throughout the broad limits OF the
commonwealth u general disposition on the
part OF the white people 10 accord Us ali our
rights before the law, and 10 meet us heartily
in every advance we make for the upholdBg
OF orr people. It behoOVes MS, then. 90 so. uso
our ballots in that we may drive ont all dis-
cordant elements in Virginia, whether they
be headed by natives or aliens 20 the state.
RACE ISSUES CONDEMNED.
We also condemn the raising 0f the race
issue bY any clags OF men who essay to lead
the masses, because II can do nothing but
prove detrimental to our case and our inter-
ests. We, therefore. ask the hearty cO-Opefa-
tlon OF our people in Virginia 10 the success
OF our movement. We have caufe TO be
thankful for the liberality Of the present ma
tional admtnistraton to our people in the
South. We also believe our relations
10 the State debt are such as "a
justify us in hoping that Virginia will be re-
lieved from her present financial embarrass-
ments by aid from the Fedora Government,
which will enable her better to provide for all
the material interests OF her citizens and to
bring about that universal good feeling which
ouqh5 10 exist between the two races.
The address was adopted and the con-
ventiOn adjourned sine die.