The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-02-13

We sincerly regret. We think it oul
duty to applaud the acts and endorse
the utterances. of our friends, it matter:
not where they are or to what party
they belong. We, therefore, urge
upon colored American voters, espec.
tally in localities, the public sentimen,
of which secures to them efficiency and
potency of their votes, to support in
the future only such candidates for
public Office as are known to be in
favor of justice to colored American
citizens. To US this should be para
mount consideration. Questions re-
lating to governmental administrative
policy, as, for instance, the tariff, civil
service reform and the financial policy
OF the government, we should make
secondary and subordinate, without re-
gard to the attitude of parties upon
such questions, and without regard to
our own views upon them. We feel
that it is our duty to support only that
party, and only such candidates for
office as are known to be friendly to
our race until all political parties will
accord to us the rights and privileges
to which we are entitled under the
Constitution and laws of the land.
We earnestly petition the present
Congress to so amend the Federal
judiciary law as will make it possible
for Federal courts to organize juries
that will be favorable to the enforce
ment of the laws. We also petition
the present Congress to enact some
such bill as the Blair Educational bill.
We also petition the present Congress
to so amend National Inter State Com
merce laws as will nullify the effects
Of such State legislations as provides
separate cars for white and colored
passengers, believing, as we do, that
such State legislation so far as the
same may be applicable to Interstate
roads, is clearly unconstitutional, to
say nothing of its injustice. Also, to
pass such laws as will put Federal cleo
tons under Federal control. Also, to
pass law reimbursing depositors Of
the late Freedman's Saving and Trust
Co., for losses sustained by them
through failure of that institution.
The proposition now pending in
Congress looking to the deportation
or immigration Of colored American
citizens Of this country to any other
country, or even to any other part of
our own country through Government
al aid, meets with our most emphatic
condemnation and disapproval. For
we cannot exile ourselves from this
country as a neutralizing element
against our growing numbers, or as an
excuse for the nation doing its duty
towards US as American citizens.
While we recognize the right of colored
American citizens to go to any country
they may desire, or to any part of our
own country, yet, we do not believe
that it is any part OR duty of the Gen
eral Government to render any aid or
assistance from the Federal treasury
for that purpose, and we do not ask it.
All we ask is justice, equal rights and
fair play. Ifunder such circumstances
we cannot survive, We will have none
other to blame but ourselves.
We recommend the adoption of the
following resolution:
Resolved, That the national or
ganization created by this Convention
be authorized and instructed to call
upon the President of the United States
and present him with copy of this
address, and also to thank him in the
name Of this Convention for his kind
illusions 70 colored Americans in his
address to Congress. Also to appear
before the different committees of
Congress having jurisdiction Of the
subject matters referred to in this ad-
dress, for the purpose of urging upon
said committees the necessity for said
proposed legislation and to give reasons
in detail for the same.