The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1890-02-07
OPPRESSED COLORED MEN
Address to the People Issued by the Con-
vention in Session at Washington.
Recital Of Wrtngs Inflicted Upon Their Race in
the S~outh-They Will Serve Only Those
Who Serve Them-Alabama Negroes.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 6.-The colored mems
convention to-day elected ex-senator
Pinchback president of the national organ.
~ization and issued An address to the people
of the United States. 1t expresses regret
that it is necessary for the colored Amer
lean citizens to meet in a separate body for
the consideration of questions national in
their character, but SAYS they are COM
PEELED to do SO because they nave been
made special objects of attack and oppres-
sion. Attention is called to the fact that
popular elections, federal and local. in
many States of the South are mere formal
tiles, where the votes of the colored
men are suppressed by violence OF neutral
lied by fraud, their rights denied. and
themselves. their wives, daughters, moth
ers aud sisters are made the special objects
of unfriendly State legislation and com
PEELED to travel In filthy and insecure cars.
COlored American citizens who may be con-
victed of petty ~offenses through unfriendly
courts are subjected, while undergoing
sentence of said courts, 20 such cruel aud
inhuman treatment as TO make their condi-
ton worse than abject slavery. In addition
to this, colOred American citizens, when
suspected of having committed certain
~offenses, and while in the custody of the
so-called officers of the law, are, i'm many
instances, and, as we believe. with the
knowledge and through the c%onnIvance of
said officers, cowardly lynched and muir
dered without a hearing n with
ont even q semblance of a trial.
Our children, in many of said States, are
not afforded the school facilities TO which
they are entitled. and which is essential TO
the future prosperity. not only of our race,
but OF both races in the localities In which
they live. The labor system in most of the
Southern States Is unjust and unfair TO the
colored Americans. and they seldom. If
ever. enjoy a fair or reasonable portion of
the fruits of their labor. They are taxed
without representation, and compelled to
obey laws they have no voice in making.
The address continues:
Political parties are the instruments through
which the will OF the people IL executed. Our
purpose is to so impress npon the public mind
the business and fairness of our claims that no
political party can safely afford 10 ignore them.
If ii be true that all our friends are in one party
sert, that is almisfortune FOR which we are not re-
sponsible and the existence of which we sincere
ly regret.
We think it our duty to applaud the acts ana
tndorse the utterances OF our friends, 10 matters
not where they are or to what party they belong.
we .nerelSfe tha upon me coioreu, Amsrioan
$500 ~ IL
localities the public sentiment OF which secures
to them the efficacy and potency of their
votes, to support in the future only such candi-
dates for public Office as are known 10 be in favor
of Justice TO the colored American citizens To
us this should be the paramount consideration.
questions relating TO governmental admins
trative Policy, as, for instance, the tariff. civil
service reform and the financial policy OF the
government, we should make secondary and
subordinate. Without regard TO the attitude OF
parties upon such questions, and without regard
10 our own views upon them, we feel that il Ia our
eaaS % iep Isr ef Shas as s9 are l Pagsy to sn be- of frir sSS9
to our cause, until all political parties Will accord
to us the rights and privileges TO which we are
entitled under the Constitution and the laws OF
the land.
The address favors the Blair bill; the
placing of federal elections under federal
control, and emphatically denounces the
bill for tie deportation of colored men.
"All we ask" says the address. In conclu-
sion, lis justice. equal rights and fair
play" 1t was resolved that o copy of the
address be presented to the President and
hat he be thanked n the name of the con-
vention for his kind illusions to the cOlored
Americans in his message to Congress.
Negroes Who Want TO Go to Africa.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, Feb. 6.-For several
days the negroes of Bessemer, Ala, have
been holding meetings and discussing Sena-
tor Buffers bill. The meetings have been
largely attended by the best and most in
telligent element of the colored people of
the town. Yesterday they gave to the press
the following address which will also be
forwarded to the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives at Washington:
We. the negroes here, have been holding meet
ings favOring the separation OF the races and the
emigration of the colored people to the Congo
Free State in Africa. and we hope that Senator
Rutler's bill will pass Congress. 8
We want to 90 back TO our own country where
We belong. We know that IL will be better for
the colored people, and We hope that it viii bene-
ut the white people.
We know that we are q great political trouble
here. We are sorry, but cannot help IL. Time
has brought this on us. Let knowledge now have
her way, and knowledge says "Go," and we will
go II the government will pass the bill.
In our meetings some have objected that the
government will want Its money back and take
ponds on the state that we would found. and it
would take US seventy-dve OF a hundred years to
pay il. Other members say that this Is not the
object of the bill, but there will be a donation Of
money to the colonization society.
Many negroes in this section are enthusi-
astic in their support of Buffers emigra-
tion scheme.
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