St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-10-01
CoIored HEen i'm Convention.

LTNCHBURGH, Va, Sept 30.-Ihe state
convention of colored men assembled here
to-day and q. B. Syphax Of Alexandra was
elected temporary chairman. NJ, v, Brent
ley Of Richmond addressed the conve ntion,
saying this convention had not assembled as
Republicans or Democrats, but as citizens
of Virginia claiming the right of freeInen.
He hoped their deliberations would demon
strate they were worthy to be citizens Con-
vention adjourned until evening.
The convention reassenbled at 8 .. m.
r. B. Beckley was elected permanent chair
man and n. Y. Backhus secretary. The
following address was presented amid greaC
cheering:
To the colOred people OF Virginia: Whereas,
We cOl0red people Of Virginia, believing US
we DO that the time has come for Us TO call
halt In the unqualified support we have given
the Republican party, do, here in convention
assembled, solemnly declare ourselves pClit-
lcauy independent in all matters which per
tain to US Us citizens ana voters of this COM
1nOGweaiUh- For twenty-five years we have
adhered 10 our former political associates
with unparalleled fidelity, because, in those
dark days of reconstruction, the Republican
party proved that it was the only party to
which the colored man OF the South could
consistently ally himself. TO that end
the colOre6 voters nObly responded, and
IttLSCi 20 power anu nlttGG, men VINO grew
wealthy While administering the laws CT the
United StaGes government in RI Southern
states. We feel ever grateful for whaU has
been done, but now the time has come Tor Ja
10 think. aCt, vote and speak for ourselves
and especially So since the Republicans have
practically abandoned Us in former cam
paigns and in all matters where the negro
ought to have his recognition in proportion
to voting strength ind intelligence: we
know, too, that many OF our race have been
murdered in the Southernsstates. but the oailses
which IedIO these sed occurrences which
have spilled our blood and created q bitter
race antagOnisIn whcn now retards our
progress and makes IL difficult for Us 80 live
in the land OF our birth, are largely traceabIe
20 the ujSElauagepent OF the federal Office
holders in our section. These foregoing rea-
sons lead Us to adopt such methods and So TO
demean ourselves as 10 make friends Of those
whose interests are in every way ininical 10
our own. We, therefore, appeal
to the coIored people of our
native state TO look Wen to the altered
condition OF affairs, and in the future to make
SUCH politlcai alliances as viii most advance
our interests educatiopally, financially aud
politically. We feet sure that there is through
out the broad limits Of the commonwealth a
general disposition on the part Of the white
people to accord Us al our rights before the
law, and to meet us heartily in every advance
we make for the upholding of our people
II behooves US then 10 SO use our ballots IN
that we may drive cut all discordanr elements
in Virginia, whether they be headed bv
natives or aliens to the states We
also condemn the raising of the race issue by
any class Of men who essay to lead the
MASSES because it can do nothing but prove
detrimental 10 our cause and our interests
We therefore ask a hearty cooperation of
our people in Virginia TO the success OF our
government. We have cause to be thankful
for the liberalty of the present national ad-
ministration to our people in the South. We also
believe Ourrelatious to the state debt are such
as 10 justify US in hoping that Virginia will
rassments by aid from the federal govern
ment, which viii enable her better to provide
Tor all the material interests of her citizens
and bring about thai universal good feeling
which ought TO exist between the two races
The address was adopted and the conven-
ton adjourned sine die