New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-15


Indianapolis Feb l4.-Thc widely adVertlseu
delegation Of South m colo-ei Republicans headed
by John NJ. LauCston, Of Virginia. made It's call
on General Harrison to-day, cleared IN some mis-
conceptions about the OBJ ct of the VISIT presented
an address on the violation Of election laws IN the
South and went home satisfied that coloSed lie
publcans can safel-- look TO the next Adminis'st-
ton for that protection in their CIVIL rights Whch
they deserve II had been announced that MI
Langston and his friends were coming here 10 OBJ
nose General Mahones candidacy fog place in the
Cabinet: but. while the cX-MiniSter 70 Liberia IS
hostile 10 General Malone in Virginia politics. he
has not seen fit 10 cary the oimculueS IN tne
Petersburg district into National politics HIS
mission here and that of the delegation winch ne
spoke for was not to protest against the Re-
publican political leader or his methods. nor was
81 10 present an opposing candidate for any Caol-
net portfolio. The scope Of the visit was broader
than that.
Secure 10 the colored man in the South his
legal right TO votc,' said Mr.. Langston to the
Pres dent elect. and his position and influence
in the party may be safely left to determine them
selves
What the delegation had to ask was simply
10 have as sweeping an application possible
made of the Fifteenth Amendment, and Jealous
and able Republican lawyer put in the Attorney
Generals Department TO enforce the National
election laws in the courts No person was named
specially as the choice Of the coored Republicans
for the portfolio of Justice But they urged as
strongly as they could that General Harrsons
selection should be one to inspire confidence in
the South, and 10 lead TO the building up of
vigorous party organization through the belief
that the Administration would do It's best to
secure fair ballot and an honest count
There were about dozen colorcd men in
party that called on the PreSident-cect tins
afternoon. General Harrison had been informed
o. their coming and received them in one o. me
large parlors. NJ. Langston introduced the othef
members Of the delegation, and then, after a lew
pleasant greetings as chairman Of the patty, the
cx-NInistcr to Liberia stepped forward and read
the address he had prepared 10 the President
elect The paper was in full as follows:
To the Hon. Ben amin Harrison, Prcsi1on.l'c-.
Sir: The undersigned would assure you That they are
loyal members Of the Republican panty ina ''y IV''"
States. severay. which are overwhelmingly l'ep"oic"'
ard upon any fair election would give their respective
electoral party by large maJouues such
however, the undue influences ana frauds bfou-ht
bear against the body Of tho voters Of Che states
which scverdy reside that the desires and purposes
o. the Republican constantly defeated We
leleye. however that tis Fifteenth Amendment OF the
Constitution Of the United States should be maintained IN
every state in the South with fairness and vicor ana
that ample protection through Federal agency should b.
given 10 every citizen IN his right Of free ballot We
cannot doubt that you with in sucn opinion,
aod thai you desire that such OBJ Get shall be accom-
Jlished in the interest Of the 1000 600 Of American c
ems who to-day in the South practically DISTINGUISHED
sAG whose cause we represent and plead.
IL view Of present and prospective condition under
your administration OF the Government profoundly
Interested in your Cabinet certainly and specially
IS concerns the Attorney Genealship thereof We offer
you the name Of 10 man oT such position Such course
would. spprehend. DO unbecomng. You are. BY long
association with lawyers, possessed with fun
Gowledge attainmcnts and reputation fully
Rfe1 70 call your family Of councillors e one VINO
yOd bs the les; for such exalted aud honor
bic position. wo ask Simply, and this We do, as we
trust becoming consideration and respect. justified
by tho peculiar OF and its serious and
commanding Importance that person appointed to
position cordial OF the Amer
doctrine citizenship and the ballot for the
humber Of citizens however formerly slaves and out
would lead him TO search diligently ana thoroughly
.or the law in such behalf uuinnuenced
and uHwarped by judgment against our cause by
Of iIiounded, though strong, reflections aud
prejudiees. The importance, the absolute necessity,
q the appointment 10 the position we name Of man Who
q addition great learning the aw, is free undue
feeling and b!as Indicated, becomes apparent single
Moments reflection This officer with his assistant at
oneys mssshas and various subordinate agents, with
his large authority under the law providing FOR the Or
fansuon Of Department OF Justice with his command
NC influence in the courts and the countless opportunities
tseIed in eonnectOn with the opinions which he viii be
called upon deliver in his capacity specially your
Attorney General oxpound and enforce the law in
reeuon with and It's maintenance, is Of the
greatest IMPORTANCE. Such being opinion and feeling
matter ventured to bring 70 thus iormsliy
sno eaInesly to your most serious consideration II
you have anticipated IN such appointment already made
tae suggestions which here offer. shall be
your grateful delighted felow.cltizens You VIII pardon
in that Gaze tina, have shown such interest in
matter not only OF vital colorcd
q the South practically dsfranchse1 but Of pro
Institutions themselves in great Republic
Thanking you fof all interes. wtsch you have al
ready and may hereafter take in the maintenance OF
popular rights protection OF citizen with respect
thereto whatever may be his compleNion previous
condition o. servi;ude beseochug Heavenly Father
sustain protect and guide you in the aIduous task o.
SAFE duty which you shall scoruy enter, we Icmain
yous Obe1ient servants.
The address was signed by the full delegation,
as follows John NJ Langston, Petersburg, Va;
John Mitchell jr editor of The Planet Rich
mond Va the Rev. DR.. William J. SimOns, Louis
vile; William IT, Stewart, Louisville; Edward
Shaw Memphis; H. T. Johnson, Memphis, presi-
dent Of the West Tennessee University; G. t.
Evans Memphis H. Ilos> Memphis; j. o. Napier,
secretary Of the Republican State Committee of
tennessee; w J. White, Augusta, Ga, editor of
Be- The Georgia Baptist J. w. Duryee, Augusta;
Jackson McHenry, Atlanta; L. A. Lawrence,
Charleston: NJ S White. Pensacola, and DR..
George w. Bryant, St. Louis
General Harrison replied cordially 10 Mr.. Lang
ston, but SAID nothing 10 indicate whom he light
put in the Attorney-Generalship. After call Of
ebout twenty minutes the dclc CATION started back
for the hotel At o'clock they left town for
Louisville.
Talking in the Bates House just before going
away, Mr. Langston said that he was highly
pleased with the esult Of the visit
Our purpose he added, was TO present what
cur race conceivcs to be the only feasible plan yet
formulated for the dsiptegraton OF the Solid
South and the purfcatOn Of the ballot We have
no demands 10 present to the President-elect no
atmes 10 urge for Cabinet positions, nothing to
az for ourselves Our plan Is simple The col