Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-15
AN ADDRESS BY COLORED MEN.
An Attorney-GeneralW Wanted who will
Protect Every Citizen in the South

An important conference of colored men was
held in Indianapolis yesterday. 1t gathered
at the instance of Prof. J. NJ. Langston, of vir-
ginia, and seven states were represented by
delegates present-South Carolina, Georgia.
Virginia, Tennessee. Kentucky, Florida and
Missouri Letters were read from colored re-
publicans of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas,
Maryland, West Virginia. Alabama, Texas and
North Carolina. Rev. William j. Simmons. ID.
D., of Louisville, was one of the prominent
of st. Louis; Capt. Jackson McHenry,
of Atlanta; Rev. J. W. Dunjee,
distinguished Baptist preacher from
Augusta. Ga; Hon. G. E. Evans. of Memphis
member of the Legislature; John Mitchell, jr.,
editor Of the Planet and member of the city
council, Richmond. Va; E. A. Lawrence, Of
Avery institute, Charleston; VIM. H. Stewart
of the american Baptist. Louisville; T. H. John
son. president West Tennessee university and
presiding elder of the South Memphis district
Memphis, Tenn; Prof. NJ. s. White, Pensacola
Fla: Capt. H. Hoss Memphis, and W. ]. White,
of the Georgia Baptist, Augusta, Ga, were also
present.
The conference was held with closed doors
and an address was formulated which was pre-
sented to Gen. Harrison in the afternoon.
THE ADDRESS,
in substance, was as follows: The undersigned
would assure you that they are loyal members
of the republican party; that they reside in
States severally which are Overwhelmingly re-
publican, and upon any fair election would give
their respective electoral votes to such party
by large majority. Such, however, are the
undue influences and frauds brought to bear
against the great body OF voters of these States
that the desires OF the republican masses are
constantly defeated. We believe that the if
teenth amendment should be maintained with
fairness and vigor and that ample protection,
through federal agency, should be given
every citizen. We cannot doubt that you agree
with us in such opinion, and that you desire
that such objects shall be accomplished in the
interest of the seven millions of American citi-
zens who. to-day in the SOUTH are practically
dlsenfranchised, and whose cause we represent
and plead. In view of our present and pres
pective condition under your administration of
the government, we are profoundly interested
In the construction OF your cabinet so far, GER
tainly and specially, as concerns the Attorney
Generalship thereof
We offer you the name of no man for such
position. Such course would, we apprehend
be unbecoming. We ask simply that person
be appointed to such position whose cordial
acceptance of the great American doctrines as
respect citizenship and the ballot for the
humblest of our citizens, however formerly
slaves and outcasts. would lead him to
| search diligently and thoroughly for the law
| IN such behalf. unlniuenced and armed in
Judgment against our cause by reason of ILL
| founded, though strong predictions and preju-
| dlces. The importance, the absolute necessity,
OF the appointment to the position which we
| name OF a man who. in addition to great learn
| ing IN the law, is free from undue feelings and
| bias becomes apparent in a single moments
| reflection. The officer, with his assistants and
subordinate agents. is of first importance.
! such being our opinion, we have ventured to
bring 1t formally and earnestly to your con-
sideration. IL you have anticipated in such
appointment, already made the suggestions
which we here offer, we shall ever be your
grateful, deligh ted fellow citizens.
zen. Harrison replied cordially to Mr.. Lang
ston, put said nothing to indicate whom he
| might put In the Attorney-Generalship. After
a call OF about twenty minutes the delegation
| started back for the hotel. At 4 O'Clock they
left town for Louisville.
| MR.. LANGsToN SATISFIED
Talking in the Bates house just before going
away with Tribune correspondent Mr.. Lang
ston said that he was highly pleased with the
result OF the visit. ''Our purpose" he added.
! was to present what our race conceives to be
the only feasible plan yet formulated for the
disintegraton OF the solid south and the purif-
cation Of the ballot. We have no demands to
present to the President-elect no nsmes to
| urge Tor cabinet positions, nothing to ask for
| ourselves. Our plan is simple. The colored race
desires that the office Of the department Of JUS
| tice be given to man of such eminence, a
republican OF such attainments as O lawyer and
SUCH nerve as an executor of the United
States election laws. that the solid south will
| De disslpated as political factor by the cast
ing and counting of our votes. We would
have the department Of justice what 1t was
meant to be-the bulwark Of the equal rights
OF Tree citizens. We have had emancipation
| Tor twenty-five years 1t il about time we
nave recognition. We ask the President-elect
TO appoint an Attorney General who win exert
and put In motion the United States election
laws IN every southern state, instead Of allow.
ing democratic mob law and ballot-box out
RACES to dasfranchise the colored voters"