The American citizen. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1888-1909, 1889-02-15

arguments that the absurd maioritieS retnrp al
Ior tnelr canddates was an evidence Of this state
ment; now, however, since their overthrow from
| the control OF the executive and legislative
branches Of the general government. fearing the
right or investigation upon this question theV
seek to divert public attention from a e0nSidars
ton OF the real facts. viz:
The denial of free ballot ana the suppression
OF the republican vote. by endeAVoring TO make n
appear that the negroes In the southern statee
desired TO override, rule and domnecr the white
people. that their action of fraud and violence
were means OF self defense necessary 70 the
preservation OF civilization and rood goyernment
or that otherwise the southern states would be
AIrlacanlzed, thus inSidiouSly endeAvoring to
arouse sympathy for themselves among tha mn
thinking masses Of the northern states hV this
appeal 10 race prejudlceS We deny thi1 We
aInrm that the republicans of the south. both
the acquisition TO our party Of the intelIi1en1
property holding element OF our conservative
We claim that Ii 10 not a question Of rnna hne
that the simple question IT, whether the win Of
the majority as expressed at the ballot box shall
prevail, or whether the methods SO long Used bY
tue democratic party. violating all justice all law
ana ali Ideas OF American principles shAll Ia
PeInlIeo 70 continue In government ''of the
people. by the people and for the people"
. Inc negroes OF the southern states hava from
tne nrSt era or their emancipation. shown their
Willingness 10 be advised and guided bY the eTna-
hence ana greater Intelligence OF their white
nelghborS. As race under all the outrawaS
against them, they have been the agxressors and
nave In no instance exhibited a desire TO avan0a
tne wrongs they have so long endured; all they
ask Is that they be accorded their rights as Amer
lean citizens, and protested In these RIGHTS
the laws OF the country.
The student OF the problem need 20 no further
DacA than during the four years or democrats
rule In tn general government to ascertain no
matter what race or color Any man who attem Mt
cd 10 exercise these rights against the policy and
tue VIII OF the democratic b iHty became the OBJ
Ject or democratic persecution, and the victim of
democratic methods. This Is shown In tina sta ia
election OF Louisiana last year. and by the per-
m 80
Chalmers OF Mississippi, Malone of Virginia and
hundreds Of other white men who sought to aid
the republican party, and ltteH still By the recent
assassination OF Col John II. Clayton of Arkan-
Sas Also 10y the provoked riots and the MUIR
der or hundreds OF innocent colored men 10 All
parts OF the south, but particularly the recent
Outrages at Spanish Camp. Texas: WAhalak
Miss; In New Liberia and In other parts of Louis
lana, all committed when the democratic party held
complete control Of both general and state ROV-
mentE.
We do not charge upon the entire white people
or the south the responsibility of these wrongs
Or even the endorsement OF the outra2es against
HE and liberty, which have for so many years
been enacted In those states, because We know
from our oWn experience that there are thousands
Eno while they vote With the democratic party.
20 30 Prom leap Of compilation and ostracism
kStner tn0n Trom choice and because they lack
sne MotC courage 10 make determined stand
against the organized democratic leaders II WaA
ms ms same sentiment Of timldity. intimatsd by
democratic conSpirators that forced the seces-
elOn OF the state OF Louisiana against the ex-
pressed VIII OF her people at the ballot box and
crushed into silence the Thousands OF union man
Ia 0tneH southern states In 1850 and 1861.
we believe that nrm and just policy by the
incoming administration. and an impartial en-,
btOicee9t OF the laws Of the United States win
% nailed with as much satisfaction by this class
OF citizene OF the south, as by the Republicans.
III Is tho "old leaVen" Of states rights-the
po1fDon rule or ruin democracy that we arralgn,
hIu from whose aut0cratc deSpotism We ask tho
IelleI that the principles OF free government,
the laws OF the land and all the instincts Of en-.
ngntened civilization entltle u to demand and
Is It believed by any fair-minded intelligent
voter IN Any part OF the nation, that upon fair
ss ;S Louisiana, Mississippi and South Caro-
una, With their large maJOriteS OF coloFed voters
70 say nothing of the Thousands of white men I'm
tnoSe states. who by conviction and choice would
tmAJ0rltles and return solid democratic delega-
IONS to congress? Does any fair-minded man
peneve II the republicans in these states were
permitted to vote and have their votes counted
that . democratic president or q democratic coA.
HreSS would be possible?
while the democrats had control or the lor cs
mouse OF congress and the executive branch OF
government 1t was vain TO hope for relief but
with the restoration of the control Of the general
government In all It's several branches to the re
publican party, we feel that the time has como
and the opportunity is AT hand when theso
wrongs may be righted, and speaking for the g.
OUO southern republicans In the state OF Kansas,
ana IN Dehalf OF our suffering brethren in tns
south, we ask and demand the enactment OF |
such legislation by congress and the enforcement
lhereof as will secure 10 all citizens of the union
no matter I'm what state they reside, or what be /
biz race or color the right 10 cast one free and |
nntrammeled ballot. AMI TO have that ballot fair
y counted: our confidence In the patriotism aEd |
1rmneSS or our prestdentelect aided by a repuh- |
lcan congress. bids US believe that our hopes |
shall not be In vain. II the wrongs OF which We |
complained stopped at the ballot box and under |
democratic rule In the south men who differed |
With them In politics were safe TO educate their |
children. acquire and hold property. and were |
granted Impartial hearings In courts could be |
inf YeFap. Init Rta NsarFw
tight Of manhood.
We call attention to the fact that armed bodies
d democrats I'm the south In times of peace and |
without legal authority. pass from one state 20 /
another murder and intmidate praceful citizens |
rob ballot boxes. and that too under the eyes OF |
United States marShals, whose duty IL Is 10 pre-
rent It.
To our republican brethren In the south W. |
also send congratulations upon the evident dawn |
)f new emancipation. knowing from experience |
now helpless they are 10 overcome the trials |
which they have so long endured We advise .
continuation OF that patience and forbsarance |
which they have so bravey exhibited. individual |
10 give forth TO the democratic plea for sympathy
In the north. that their cauas Is q cause Of jus
dee, the cause Of humanity and the redress must |
come. and We believe 10 will come from the |
awakened sense Of justice or an outraged and In
dignAnt American people, when We believe viii |
no longer remain In silence while q portion Of |
their fellow citizens In any part or section Of The
nation are deprived Of their rights IS citizens Of
free government.
NOW, III eoncguEI0n. We appeal % the couutr1. |
u tWentT-thKee years IL not long enough under |
The stars and stripes for millions OF ifs loyal esf
Zenns-loyA alHAys-to wait patiently for the prO-
lection Of law? II there Is \ lawful remedy Ne
demand It's enforcement If there n none We pray
,ongress 20 enact one II congress has no power |
under the constitution. let political paFty here
After promise II in platforms but Jet Us kn0w that
he oppressed millions Of the south must lookout |
Tor themselves
To the president elect and the incoming con-
yress and the nation AZ large ws submit our |
;aQSe In confidence and IN hope
IT Is ADOPTKn
Mr.. Townsend OF Lezyenworih, moved the |
Idoption Of the memorial IN a neat speech. |
lie expressed q belief In the efficiency Of |
agitation, and compared the readiness Of the |
United States government to take up the case |
~ al insignifcant man who kicks up the |
levi In Mexico, or 10 rave oTer Al insult /
rom Bismarck In samoan Affairs /
With is failure TO listen 10 The cries OF The |
thousands who In the soufh have suffered ard
Ire suffering intoIerzbls wrUngs- II peaceful /
Idmonition will not accomplish anything. the /
Ipeaker called upon the cd soldi@rs and their /
Ions 10 get oui their rusty Old mnskess and de- /
'cend Ike tempest on The south and wipe /
put the power thai IL responsible for tie ne /
,essiiy that called this meeting together.
Colonel Brown. 0f shawnee, seconded the i
notion 10 adopt the memorial as the seg4&e OF /
his convention Of southern republican In /
Topeka assembled.
l.