The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-17

seem destined to become the musicians and
orators OF this country. Our law says that
all men shall be free and equal and now
the coloTed men should ask only for what is
right and for nothing wrong. Every man in
this country has the right to vote as he
pleases. and no man has any right 10 lead
another 10 the polls like dog by a string,
and tell him what ticket he must vote.
You owe no man, no party. You
owe 1t to yourselves to be men.
The colored men were TO certain extent tee
cause Of the war. The two classes OF labor
free labor and slave labor-were two causes
OF the late war. No man and no party freed
you; the war freed you. hope the time
will come when the entire country will be
at peace.
Hon. ID. s Gooding was the next speaker.
he said he had had no time to prepare an
address When this Government was or
gsDized all but one State were slave States.
The old parties were both OF the opiaion
that the Government had no power tn
free slaves under the Constitution, and
President Lincoln held to this idea
at the time OF his election
in 1860 A small fragment OF men called
Abolitionists were alone in their dispute on
this proposition. The war went on until
IL became evident that reballion must de.
sroy the Government or the Government
must destroy the slave system. The rebel
lion was finally suppressed, and then 1t was
for the first time that the colored man was
first reunited to vote. The Republican
party thought that by adopting the Thir.
tenth Amendment they could MAKE the
Southern States Republican. Now, the De
mocracy OF the North as rule believed
that slavery was wrong, and the
Republicans have tried to convince
you that IL the De ocratic party came into
power you would be put back into slavery.
You've heard that Rebels were to be pen
stoned and the shareholders were to be paid
for their slaves. At last we have came into
power. We have the President, the lower
house in Congress, and Democratic Cover
nor in this State. Now, are we trying to put
you back into slavery or pay your old
masters for you? The Republicans have been
in power in this State nearly all the time since
the war, and yet IL has remained for the DEM
ocratic party in this State to pass the only
bill for The colored man aud his rights
which has ever been passed. Rejoice, my
friends for the day of your deliyerance is at
hand. You colored men are naturally Dem
ocrats, for the Democratic party has always
been the party OF the people, of the sons
Of toll, and you will find your home is with
the Democrats, and you are getting there
now. AT this point Mr.. Gooding turned 10
reporter, saying: Mr. Reporter, you are not
taking down ell am saying, are your am
brethren" Continuing, he spoke OF our
country as being 1.-The land OF the free
and the home of the brave" If you
want TO accomplish your destiny you will
DO it through work and education. You
have it in your power to be power in this
land. You can make your children the
equal OF other children by teaching them
that labor is always honorable. The man
who IS ashamed to labor needs to be born
again. The land OF liberty, recognizing the
God of our fathers-for II we would be q free
people we must never forget our God, and if
we do this We shall soon lose all sight OF the
color line.
Senator Johnson of Dearborn County, came
forward on invitation. He also had not
expected 10 be called upon for q speech. He
said his ancestors were slave owners but on
coming 10 this country they set their slaves
free. Que OF those slaves went 10 Shelby
County, where he became well off and was
the owner OF a farm. once told this story
TO young lady who charged me with being
pro-slayery man, bat after she heard IL she
never again charged me with that. IL we
get down into idleness, poverty and igno.
rsnCe, we are no better than any one else in
that condition. IL you improve your oppor
tunities you will never fail 20 be recognized
by every man, and especially by the DEM
ocratic party.
Edward Horn and a number of other COL
ored gentlemen spoke briefly on the order OF
the business before the meeting, but on mo-
ton the Committee on Resolutions reported
as follows Mr.. Hill reading the report:
Whereas, Governments are Instituted for the
benefit OF all citizens for the OF suppress
ing crime, and for the redress OF grievances; and
Whereas. The constitutional right to pass on the
question OF civil and political rights has been
delegated TO the various States by recent de-
cision oil the Supreme Court oil the United states;
and
Whereas, The passage OF the Civil Rights bill by
the lndisns LEGISLATURE oil 1888 VIII nave
toore existed by one class OF citizens against the
other; therefore be II
annapolis, in mass-meeting assembled, congratulate
tue members OF the Legislature In their efforts TO
mete out justice 10 all the citizens OF the State.
Resolved, That II Is very opportune for the
Democratic party upon their ascendency to power
in both National and State Government as signal
OF victory to affirm the cardinle principal, The
greatest good 10 the greatest number"
Resolved. That we, as American citizens, recog-
me she aaS, 'ns ibn peace nUs EN-
holding the balance OF power politically, antago.
nized one-half OF the voting population by being
Identified with one political party asa race.
Resolved, That In the future Ms In the past,
either on the battlefield or In the forum, we will
always be found defending the rights OF American
Resolved That our highest aspirations are TO
compete with all natonslities In religion, cduca.
tion, wealth; and every avenue OF life that tends
Resolved That we tonder q vote OF thanks to
tho members OF the present LEGISLATURE, and cs'
pecially to DR.. w. Clinton Thompson, OF the Sen.
ate aud Hon. David s. Gooding, OF Hancock, and
Levi Mock, OF Wells and Blackiord. OF the House,
for their able efforts Ia securing the passage Of
the Civil flights bill.
Following the report OF the committee on
the adoption OF tho resolution, Mr.. w. A.
sweeney, rs master OF ceremonies an
nounced tie name OF q. w. Robinson, q col
ored man, rs the next speaker. He said
there had been time In the affairs OF this
Government when he had nothing over
which TO rejoice. When the Supreme Court
used to announce that and my people had
no rights which q white man 10 bound 10 re-.
speot, felt no respect for the Government
| can now rejoice aud | thank the gentle.
man who 80 ably assisted In securing
60 rs our rights. 1 am n citizen,
aud love the rights which have
been given us. In the future We shall show
that we are capable of the greatest refine.
ment and the greatest culture, and we in.
tend 10 be n financial and an intellectual