The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-10-03
COLORED CONVENTION.
The Negroes Of Virginia to
Leave the Republicans.
PAT ON CLEvELAND.
They Believe the Republicans Have
Not Done Them Justice and
the Democrats Will.

LYNcHBURG. Va, September 3O.-A State
Convention of colored men assembled here
to-day. j. B. Syphx of Alexandria was
elected temporary chairman.
NJ. V. Beckley of Richmond addressed the
convention, saying that the convention had
not assembled as Republicans or Demo-
Gratis, but as citizens OF Virginia, claiming
the right of free men. He hoped that their
deliberations would demonstrate that they
were worthy of that citizenship.
The following address was presented
amid great cheering:
To the COlOred People of Virginia:
WHEREAS, We, the colored people of Vir-
ginia, believing as we do that the time has
conc for us to call halt in the unqualified
support we have given the Republican
party, do hire. in convention assembled,
SO lemnly decare
OURSELVES POLITICALLY INDEPENDENT
i'll all matters which pertain to us as citi-
zens and voters OF this commonwealth.
We have for twenty-five years adhered to
our former political associates with un-
paralleled 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
colored voters nobly responded and raised
to place and power men who grew wealthy
while administering the laws OF the United
States Government in the Southern States.
We feel ever grateful for what has been
done, but now the time has come for us to
think, act, vote and speak for ourselves,
and especially so since the
REPUBLICANS HAVE PRACTICALLY ABANDONED
us in former campaigns and in all matters
where the negro ought to have had recogni-
ton in proportion to his voting strength
and intelligence. We know, too, that
many of our race have been murdered in
the Southern States, but the causes which
led to these sad occurrences which have
spilled our blood and created bitter race
antagonism, which now retarls our pro-
gress and makes it difficult for US to live in
the land of our birth, are largely traceable
to mismanagement by the Federal office
holders in our section. These reasons have
lead Us to adopt such methods and 80 to
demean ourselves as to make friends whose
interests are identical in every way with
our own. We, therefore, appeal to the col
ored people of our native State to look
well to the
ALTERED CONDITION OF AFFAIRS.
And in the future make such political al
liances as will most advance our interest,
educationally, financially and politically.
We feel sure that there is throughout the
broad limits of the commonwealth gene
raj disposition on the part of white people
to accord us all our rights before the law,
and to meet us heartily in every ad.ance,
We make for the upholding OF our people.
1t behooves US then to so use our ballots
that we may drive out all the discordant
elements in Virginia, whether they lie
headed by natives or aliens OF the State
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 to our cause and our interests.
We therefore ask the hearty cooperation
Of our people in Virginia to the success
of our movement. We have cause to be
thankful for the liberality of the present
National Administration to our people in
the South. We also believe that our re-
(ations to the State debt are such as to
Justify us in hoping that Virginia will be re-
lieved from her present financial embarrass-
ment by aid from the Federal Government
which will enable her better to provide for
all the material interests of her citizens and
bring about that universal good feeling
which ought to exist between the two races
The address was adopted and the conven-
tion adjourned sine die.