San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-09-01
EQUAL RIGHTS.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING HELD
AT KRlSCH HALL.
The Official Ring" Receives Remarka-
bly, Black Optic

There was a large and most enthusiast
tic meeting In Krisoh hall last nigh and
almost every nationality under the sun
was represented. Most Of the people
were there to present protest against
the insults offered to the negroes by the
Junta Politico, but some were undoubt-
eddy drawn there by the vague rumor
that there were likely TO be scenes OF
violent character enacted.
At S:45, Manuel Lopez, master work
man OF the Mexican assembly, appeared.
He had his head bandsged TO heal the
wounds inflicted by City Weigher San
chez. He was received with cheers and
cries OF Lopez" "Viva" He was elect
ed permanent chairman and Santiago
Warren was secretary.
John ii. Copeland, being called to the
| front, admitted that he didn't quite I'M
| derstand the object of the meeting. He
believed that its main object was to har-
| monte societies, and that was good.
Race and color should have no influence.
but all should be brotherly. The motto
was progress. Let them go forward
hand in hand, as was indeed the purpose
OF organization. Government and socie-
ty were not what they should be, and
there must be revolution, he hoped a
bloodless one, except such contest as
individual ends as he had seen that after
noon. Organization might be opposed
by monarchs and aristoorats, but In the
end it would triumph. His advice was
organize.
Fayette Walker, ''the isolated colored
democrat Of the city," said they had met
to understand each other and hoped
they would. Some people might wonder
what the fuss was about. 1t was caused
by few ignorant men who wanted to
be the great | ans. There must be
something good in the Knights
of Labor as they were causing
some uneasiness, and would accomplish
much good. The devil was mOnkeying
with them, but couldn't hurt them. He
heard that there was some that did not
want to march with niggers. He put
that in his pipe and smoked it. The re-
mark was repeated and he did the same
thing. The negroes were the most truly
American that ever struck dirt. They
started twenty strong, and numbered
over 100000. They were prolific, they
educated, they toiled, and were noble
race. He heard that man fought to-
day because he was accused Of having
negro blood in him. He ought to be
proud of 1t, for its the best blood he's got
in his veins. Applause and laughter
They would win, although the demo-
cratic and republican parties were
hypOcrital. The whole thing would be
changed down 10 the mayor. Laughter.
The laboring men had the bulge and
would use it. At the ballot box they
could number twenty-five to their adj
versaries one vote.
Mr.. Williams, master workmen of the
Alamo assembly Knights of Labor,
(ColOred) returned thanks for the honor
of the call. The trouble was the recOg-
milton of negro rights, but if there was
war between the Mexicans and negroes.
he did not know it. And il the Mexicans
declared war the negroes would meet
them at the ballot box and wipe out cor
ruption. The Mexican fought the
negro because they were in the minority.
but the negroes were game. The first
man that died for American liberty was
a negro slave. Some were Indifferent
to the negro now, but In two months
they would lock arms with him and
walk him to the drink shop and the
polls. He would say to them, Don't
walk with me or you may hug me-"
When the war opened federalist refused
to fight with negroes; three years later
they were glad to get the negroes to go
where the coward whites refused to
stand.
Robert Simpson, knight Of Labor,
said the people were fighting for their
rights. They were crushed, but would
right themselves by putting good men
into office. He continued some time,
talking of nothing important, and was
frequently interrupted with cries Of
"Crawford," Crawford" At length he
vacated the platform.
Judge Crawford, who appeared on the
platform in his shirt-sleeves and open
vest, complimented the chairman and
the Mexican Knights In having such q
man at their head. He said the Ameri-
cans had liberty, but fought for indie
pendeRce, but the poor Aztec fought for
liberty. Lopez was Scared with wounds
In his fight for liberty against the Span
ish government, for which he is exiled.
The negro only wanted rights, and
these should be granted. He was born
In old Kentucky, raised with negroes,
sopped gravy In the same skillet, and
played with them. The negro did not
want to encroach; all he wanted was
fair deal. He had walked In procession
with negroes, and he was just as good
as any of them.
The following resolution were then in
troduced, and passed most enthusiastio-
ally:
Whereas, we have understood that
our brother, NJ. Lopez, has been foully
assaulted and shamefully maltreated by
certain officials; therefore be 1t
Resolved, That we, as brothers Of NJ.
Lopez, extend to Brother Lopez our
sympathy and pledge him our assist
ance and support; and further wish to
express our intense indignation for the
treatment received by Brother Lopez at
| the hands Of said city officers.
1t was moved and seconded that
thanks be rendered Mr.. Lopez for up
holding the rights Of workingmen in his
encounter with Sanchez.
Cries were then made for Ryder-Tay-
| lor and Bushick. AS the former gentle
man made no attempt to reply, Mr.. +.
Bushick came forward, unprepared as
usual. and said little piece in which he
flattered the audience, and advised them
not to bolt from parties.
Jose Maria Cardenas delivered fine
address In Spanish which was well re-
ceived.
In response to repeated cries, Mr.. Ry-
| der-Taylor arose acknowledged the
compliment, and said that actions and
| deeds made the man, not birth or color.
He recommended organization and
union, and was satisfied that In the end
the victory would be attained.
Messrs. Pancho Zevada, l.. L. Pulliam,
l.. A. He'll, NJ. Lopez, G. w. w. Smith,
delivered some excellent addresses, and
about ll:25 the meeting adjourned amid
loud cheers.
There was strong spirit underlying
the whole meeting that was opposition