Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-10-01
THE COLORED MEN
or Virginia, In Convention at Lynch
burg, Throw or"
Repablicanism
And Declare Their Political IndepeBd-
ence In All Matters Pertain
Ing to Their
Rights as Citizens and Voters Of the
Eommonwealth-An Address to
the People.

LYNcHBURG, VA, September 3O.-The
State Convention of colored men assem-
bled here to-day. t.B. Syphax of Alexan-
dria was elected temporary chairman.
NJ. V. Bsckley of Richmond addressed
the convention, saying this convention
had not assembled as Republicans or
Democrats, but as citizens of Vir0ir'-
claiming the right of tr,m-p. He hoped
their Generations would demonstrats that
they were worthy to be citizens.
The convention reassep,bled at p.m.,
and r. b. Beokley was elected permanent
chairman and N. v. Backus secretary, -
The following address was presented
amid great cheering:
THE ADDRESS.
To the eoiore,. beopls Of Virginia:
Whereas, we, the colored people of Vir-
ginis, believing as we do that the time has
come for us to call halt in the unquali-
fed support we have given the Republican
party, do here in convention assembled,
solemnly declare ourselves politically in
dependent in al matters which pertain to
us SIS citizens and voters of this COM
monwealth. We have for twenty
five years adhered 70 our former
political associates with unparalleled
fidelity, because in those dark days
of reconstruction the Republican party
proved that it waa the only party to which
the eoiored man of the South could con-
sistsntly ally himself. To that end the
colored voters nobly responded, and raised
TO power and place men who grew wealthy
while administering the laws of the
United States government in the South
ern 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 al, matters
where the negro ought to have had rec
oguiti0n in proportion to 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 occur ences which have
spilled our blood and created hitter race
antagoDism, which now retards our prog-
Iess and makes it difficult tor us to live IN
the land Of our birth, are largely traeeable
to the mismanagement of Federal office
holders in our section. These foregoing
reasons lead US to adopt such methods and
SO to demean ourselves as to make
friends OF those whose interests are iden-
ticel in every way with our own.
We therefore appeal to the colored people
of our native State to look well to the e.
tered condition of affairs, and in the iutura
| to make such politinai atiiances as will
moat sd sd 'ssuce our interests educationally,
/ financially and politically. We feel sure
that there is throughout the broad limits
| Of the commonwealth disposition on the
part OF the white people to accord us
all our rights before the law,
| and to meet US heartily in
every advance We make for the
upholdihg OF our people. 1t bahooves us
/ then to so use our ballots that we may
| drive out all discordant elements in Vir-
| ginio, whether they be beaded by natives
| or aliens to the State. We also coademn
the raising of the race issue by any class
| OF men who essay to lead the masses
because it can do nothing but prove detri.
mental to our cause and our interests. We
therefore ask hearty cooperation of oui
| people in Virginia to the success of oul
| movement. We have cause to be thankful
for the libeTality of the present administers
ton to our people in the South. We also
believe our relations TO the State debt are
such as to justify us in hoping that Vir
ginia will be relieved from her presen
financial embarrassments by aid from the
Federal government, which will enable
her better to provide for all the materia
interests of her cit t'z5ns and bring abou
that universal good feeling which ough
to exist between the two races.
The address was adopted, and the con
vention adjourned sine die.