The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-08-29
TEXAS NEGROES.
Addresses Adopted by the COlored Mems
Convention at Waco, Just Adjourned.
Special to the Statesman


Convention at Waco, Just Adjourned.
Special to the Statesman.
WACO, August 23.-The following address,
issued by the colored mems state conven-
ton held in the city of Waco, has been
adopted:
1--WE, the representatives of the negroes
of Texas in convention assembled in the
city of Waco, rejoice in the fact through
the press, the swift winged messenger, we
can address the people of the state, pre-
senting our grievances before the bar of
public opinion, which is the highest; re-
viewing our progress, endeayoring to cor
rect our mistakes and resolving to make
greater efforts in the future to improve our
race and the country. Circumstances over
which we have no control have made us
citizens of the United States and of the
state of Texas, and we have earnestly
:triven to show ourselves worthy of the
great boon. But while many of our white
fellow citizens seem willing to accord to
the negro all the rights of citizenship, our
people are still compelled to suffer many
wrongs. In some counties we are denied
the free exercise of the elective franchise,
which is the dearest of all human rit hts.
We believe that the whites are responsible
for our election troubles, because they are
the result of bossism and race antagonism.
As a general thing. in the counties where
election troubles have occurred certain
rings and cliques have established a sort of
local monarchy, and against which we APP
peal to the state authorities for protection.
We advise our people in local elections to
vote for the best men in their commune
ties. We cannot afford to practice venalty.
The man who barriers and sells his vote is
unworthy to be a citizen.
in many counties of the state colored
men are denied the right of serving on the
iuries, though possessing the legal qualiA-
cations for Jurors. This is manifestly un-
Just, because the laws give to every citizen
the right of trial by jury of his peers. We
are also uniustly Disseminated against by
some of the railroad companies and other
public carriers of the state. The bugbear
of social equality is no excuse for such
treatment for there is no social equality III
persons riding together in the same cars
and why is it that negroes in the capacity
of servants are not Objectionable in first
class cars and steamboat cabins? Is a me-
NAL entitled to more respect than a gen.
tleman or lady who has paid first-class
fare? Surely our white fellow citizens, with
all their wealth and intelligence, can afford
to give us an equal chance with them in
the race of life We do not ask for any
special legislation, but We do insist upon
being accorded the equll benefits and pro-
lection of the laws.
1--WE condemn mob violence in all its
forms, and we remind our white fellow
citizens that there is point at which for
bearance ceases to be virtue; and, while
we do not advise retaliation, we feel that
the continuation of lynch law will eventu-
ally lead to this. The negroes of Texas
have made commendable progress since
emancipation. Twenty-four years ago we
were turned loose without money, property
or education. and we now own about 900
600 acres of land and we pay taxes ON $40 :
100000 worth of property. We have 1000