Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-09-02
From the Virginia Critic (colored.)
Mems Independent Republican
GInh

A large and enthusiastic meeting OF young
colored men was held at the rooms OF L. W..
Moore, Monday evening, August %, 1885, to dis
cuss the relation of colOred men to the two
great political parties now contending for SUI
premacy in the State.
During the meeting considerable independ-
ence of spirit was manifested and the org aniza-
ton of an Independent Republican Clue was
effected. Mr.. Scott Wood was unanimously
ris, Secretary. A committee on permanent-or-
ganiZation was then appointed. The commit
Tee reported the following list of officers and
President; d. G. Carter. Vice-President; F: H.
billiard, Secretary ]. II. E. Carter. Assistant
Secretary; Harry Lindsay. sergeant alarms. :
Republican Club of Staunton, Va. The officers
shall be as follows: president, vice president,
secretary. treasurer, and sergeant-at- rms.
The officers shall hold office three months.
The election of officers shall take place the
4th Friday of each third month.
Any person wishing to become a member Of
this club after its organization will make his
application through some member at the regu-
lar meeting
Roberts Rules OF Order shall be adopted as
our manual.
The following preamble aad resolutions were
adopted
Whereas, The Republican party has for
number of years shown such total disregard for
the welfare of the Negro in the Southern States,
and has allowed its hirelings and Federal Office
hOlders-many of whom have grown rich by
basely disappearing affairs in the South. to
bring about this hostility of feeling. We know
of and have felt the iron heel of oppression. but
we have always believed it was largely due to
our 80 called Republican friends, who have
been for the past twenty. five years carried by
Negro votes into power and place. They have
stirred up bad blood between the races, much
to our detriment as Negroes.
We believe that it is to our interest political
ly, materially and in every other way to call
halt in the unqualified support that we have
given to the Republican party.
We are not yet willing to go into the Demo-
cratic parry, and never will be till Bourbonism
becomes broad enough, liberal enough and
Democratic enough in sentiment to eliminate
the race question from political campaigns.-
When that Is done, and a disposition on their
part shown to us that they mean equal rights,
fair play and t. justice 10 all men alike, re-
gardless of the color Of their skins, then the
black laborer will join hands and vote to drive
out every discordant element in our section Of
the country, and bring about universal good
feelings. which should exist between the two
races.
Resolved. therefore, That in view of the
above facts, we, the colOred men of Staunton,
do here in mass meeting assembled. organize
ourselves Into an Independent Republican
Club.
Resolved, That we are now, and ever will be
in the future, actuated only by the highest and
purest motives: that we work for the best in
tefess 81 our race poll iealy and In olhar ways
Resolved. That we knuckle to no party nor
bend the knee to any political bosses when
they seek to drive US into the support of men
and measures which are totally repugnant to
all sense of honor and decency.
Resolved, That we pledge support to the par
ty, but will weigh all men and platforms upon
their merits. and will support them according
ly. And we will also advise the voters of our race
at any and all times what we consider to be for
their best interest.
Resolved. That we condemn In the strongest
terms The party managers for not putting some
Negro Represent atives on the State Ticket
We are more than Is per cent Of the entire vot.
ing population of the Republican party in the
State and regard the slight as a direct insult to
the manhood and Intelligence of the Negro
race.
Resolved. That we commend the Democrats
for being what they profess to be- politically
We further applaud them for such recogn ton
as they have given colored men, and hope they
may find Others worthy of tn cir confidence.
such recognition will do much toward making
the colored people politically Independent.
Resolved, That copy OF these resolutions be
sent to each weekly newspaper, for publication,
in Staunton.
Committee on Resolutions:
JAS. H. CARTER. Chairman.
FRED. 81. DILLARD, Secre tary.