Huntsville gazette., 1889-01-26
MONTGOMERY.
Results of the State COlOred Con.
ference, An able and Repre-
sentative Body.

Dear Gazette:
The Conference of Colored men
called to meet in this city on the Sth
inst has just closed the most impor
tant. and with respect Of its influence
upon public opinion, the most pros
fitable assembly that has heretofore
deliberated upon the condition of
the colored race and suggested meth
DDS for the amelioration of the same.
The moral, intellectual and ma
terial improvement Of the race was
splendidly conspicuous to those who
were familiar with the proceedings
aud declarations that characterized
the colored conventions often wears
ago. Not alone was this improve
ment disclosed in the high tone and
elevated thought as expressed in the
debates, but also in the pers nal ao
pearance Of the t-iegates and the
hbe ality with winch they respond
ed to the necessity for
a STATE UNIVERSITY
at Montgomery for the higher cul,.
ture of their youths. The speeches
OF Doctor E. M. Blake Of Birming
ham, Prof. G. l.. Purse of Selma Prof.
Joseph Bibb Of Montgomery Prof.
3. L. Washington of Tuskegee and
Doctor Willie Sterrs of Mont
gsmery were models of eloquent
rhetoric and defeat and political ad-
versity do not seem to have detract
ed from the originality of thought
and vigor of expression of the noted
"Jere" Haralson, Ben. S. Turner,
Elk. Senator Jno. w. Jones, Dick
Maberry, Lawyer Garner and Hon !.
G. 0. Harris, but the most profound
thought and impassioned eloquence
were displayed by Montgomery's fav-
orite son Nathan A. Alexander.
The conference was sensible of the
obligation that res ted upon it to re-
fleet the best thought aud manly
pride of the race and while affirming
Its belief in the p rinciples of equa ity
before the law as declared by the re.
publican party it sternly refured t.
endorse any candidate for political
office. and from the Address bearing
upon the matter of.civil Rights, many
Of Alabama white citizens can we'll
learn in social and civil rights. The
address says:
"The mistaken idea that intelli-
gent Negroes are incapable Of de-
tecting the difference between civil
and social equality has led to the
most inhuman aud unjust discrim-
ination on railroads and other means
Of travel operated by southern cor
pora:ions. We would be understood
to believe, as all intelligent men do
that the principles of association are
innate, and therefore, Independent
of legislative provisions. We hold
. that no laws, nor the force Of any
customs can carry with it sufficient
power to make the association of a
white man and black man congen-
Iial. We do not fatter ourselves
| with the idea that to ride in the same
coach with white men or to occupy
seats On the same floor in public plas
ces with whites, Immediately trans
forms our irregularities to equalities
of social rights
4 Our enemies charge that we are
idle, and improvident. We are in
different to the charge; every Gay of
our life is whole volume of refu-
tation and when the State Univer-
sity shall have been ers cted at Mont.
gomery, sit most assuredly shall be,
the Negro will want no grander
monument to his industry and frus
| gaIity.
The colored citizens of Montgom
cry have purchased the land on
which to build the State University,
| q Id they came forward and contri
buted literally 10 erect the build
ling.
/ DIR. Waterrs and his father Mr.