Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-26
COLORED DEMOCRATS.
coavEEIHG OF TEE NATIONAL con-
FERENCE Ar INDIANAPOLIS.
Cleveland and Thurman Enaorsed-A Ring
Ing Letter FROM One Of Their
Own Race.
rBysslosrapn to tho DI.patcn-l

the secretary OF the Indiana Board OF Health.
Some sixty-iour delegates we're present.
Mr.. Turner called the conference to order.
and in his opening address stated that be had
issued the call in compliance with instruc-
tons from the chairman OF the National
Committee. He suggested that the con-
ference az once pass into executive session,
excluding from the ball al persons except
the reporters for the press not holding Gre
dentials as delegstes.
Thomas Fortune, OF New York, wanted
all out.ides-reporters includei-excIuded
until after the temporary organization bad
been perfected. He said II there should he
any lack OF harmony 1t would be then known
TO the delegates only.
Fortunes proposition was sntagonized by
several delegates at the same time. After
prolonged wrauglc over the question Acting.
Chairman Turner finally recognized the
point Of order that tae committee had al
ready determined on a temporary organiza-
ton.
In sustaining this point Turner added that
the meeting had been called As Democratic
negro conference BY the selection OF what
was believed to be the best negro culture IN
toe United states. and that there was no de-
sire to conceal anything from the newspapers
or the public.
IOftlUF lItn 10 kHOW Ny NHhl
authority any so-called committee had effect
ed temporary organization. and moved that
the conference proceed TO appoint a commit
tee on Temporary organization. His motion
was tabled, and Turner, prior to surrender
ing the chair, proceeded 10 explain that tho
call for the conference had been issued because
he believed II was time for the negro voters
10 assert their understanding at least OF the
primary principles OF American sovereignty.
The eley Tion Of Cleveland to the presidency,
he ssld. had brought political emancipation
which was felt by none more than the negro,
snd they bad the honesty and courage to
meet Grover Cleyeland's Administration
half way.
An Ohio delegate cried out: "Why not
meet Thurman the other half?" which
brought out prolonged cheers and the
waving OF bandann
At the close OF Turner'S address he intro
duced Charles II. shelton. OF Evansville,
Ind, az temporary chairman. Shelton was
CHOSEN by the anti,Turnsr Democrats last
night.
shelton in the course OF bis speech men,
toned that it was through the aid Of Demo-
crstIc soldiers that he had escaped into Ohio
while slave. lie believed the conference
would eventually pe the means OF settling the
negro problem, add l. was the purpose OF
tho delegates to break wat the Republicans
call the solid North.
Noah Plummer, OF Massachusetts,, was
made temporary secretary.
A resolution endorsing Cleveland and
Thurman Was adopted by unanimous ulUd'
COce vote.
The Chairman announced the appointment
Of the Committee on Permanent Organize
ton and then declared the conference ad-
iOurned until 3 O'Clock.
"A letter was read from George I. Down
ing, OF Newport, Il. l.. in which be declares
for division OF the colorcd vote. He says
it has been cast for the Republican party by
too IpanV without the exercise Of that iudg-
mept that should accompany its potential
power. The managers OF that party have to
too great an extent considered IL rs theirs.
TO be cast by obligated seris, aud have
felt no anxiety as to the same. They
treated 1t with supreme indifference.
Its heroic devotion 10 the party secured
not a 1.-THE OF respect, and the consideration
manifested for other adherents who they
knew would resent the lack Of respect and
consideration. The party, be says, has bsen
SO remiss that IL is 10 be held largely re-
sponsible for the outrages and murders that
have been perpeirated since the war upon
colored persons-that il, II being IN
power enables n purity TO control the
same. II was in power n quarter OF
q century; it had a two-thrds vote in
Congress; IT'S Repubhcan Presidents, Sn-
preme court and subordinate courts were
composed OF Republicans. The legislative,
Judicial, aud executive powers could have
acted under the Contribution ana laws TO
nrOtect the c0lOlcd citiZen' rights, or have
taken steps. II necessary, 10 amend the Con-
stltutOu and laws. Further, n the Repub-
icans bad been consistent sud had not set
the example 10 inydl0usly prescribe the
colOrcd men there would have been crys-
lalized into rule a sentiment which would
have caused the proper respect 10 he mani
tested for the colored mans rights aud
feeling. Tbs South has been close observer
Of the fact that the Republicans save few
were hot sincere IN their profession OF re-
specl for the coored mans rights and feei-
logs. Suppose Harrison Is placed In power
In Washington what would he be able TO do
10 protect the colOred people IN their rights?
Has not the supreme Court. created by Re-
publicavs and composed OF Republicans,
lately affirmed that the outrages OF which we
so bitterly complain must be stopped, IL ut
all, by the State and not by national authorl-
tiesi This causes US naturally To consider
more auxiously how best TO move the people
Of the states and to influence political
parties. i it not wise for Us 20 make the
Republican party anxious as to the posi-
bilty OF losing considerable percentage OF
the colored vote. as we are making II, and to
create, rs we are doing, concern among the
Democrats ~ to The possibility OF their win
ming apercentage Of the same suiiicientto se-
cure victory? This will beget for the colorcd
man increased respect. He will not he respect
ed by any party until he makes himselffeli-
until II Is understood that he will, Ike other
Americans, resent AN ipdignity. he declares
In favor Of President Cleyeland's rejection,
under " hose Administration, he says, outs
RACES in the South have decreased. lie con-
cludes MS letter with an argument in favor
Of the tariff policy Of the President
The afternoon session was given mp TO the
discussion OF the report OF the Committee on
Permanent Organization. That COMMITTEES
presented majority and minority reports.
Thomas Brown, OF Springfield. ILL.,, pre-
scented the majority report, which recon-
mended Professor Peter II. Clarke, OF Ohio,
for permanent chairman, Thomas Fortune.
Of New York, permsnent secretary,
and L. A. Payne, OF Illinois, sergeant-at-
arms.
Joseph ". Ouser, Of Illinois, presented the
minority report. which names J. Milton
Turner for permanent chairman.
A motion TO substitute the minority for
the majority report brought two thirds OF the
delegates to their feet and pandemoninm
reigned. The chairman finally recognized
large number OF delegates, who advocated
Clark or Turner.
c. II. J. TAYLOR, OF Kansas City, and OK.
Minister to Liberia. strongly urged the elcc-
ton OF Clark, declaring that new converts to
Democracy should not be put N charge OF
the ship. He characterized Clark as "the
noblest negro Roman OF them all"
Great coniusion prevailed when Turner
obtained the floor, and. replying to Taylor.
called him the national butfoOn. which threw
the convention iuto state Of excitement.
Chairman shelton finally declared Peter
II. Clarke, OF Ohio, the permanent presiding
officer OF the conference, which then adj
j0lrned amidst confusion until 10 O'Clock to-
morrow morning.