Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-16
10, THE POOR NEGRO.
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION or
AFRO-AMERlCAN LEAGUES.
Tvenfy-Onc States ncprescnted--Presiden
Fortune Sets Forth the Grievances
of His Race.
rRr telegraph % The pispa,ch.l

CHICAGO, January 1.-THE National Con-
vention OF Afro-American Leagues was call
ed TO order this morning by r. Thomas
Fortune, editor Of The Ace, If New York.
Delegates were present from twenty-one
States and the District of Columbia, but
the delegates from the State Of Illinois
more than outnumbered all the rest. Alto
cethcr there were two hundred colored per-
CONS in the Theatre when proceedings be-
gan. 4. +. Fortune was chosen temporary
chairman. and l.. j. Barnet, editor OF the
ConsrDator, of Chicago, and Harry O..
Smith, of the CARTE, of Cleveland, were
made secretaries. The remainder of the
session was given 10 the appointment OF
standing committees.
In the afternoon Fortune was called upon
to address the meeting. He began by say
ing: We are met here to-day. repre-
sentatiyes of eight million freemen. who
know our rights and have the courage 20
defend them. We are here TO emphasize
the fact that the past condition OF de-
pcndence and belplessness upon men who
have used Us for selfish and unholy pur-
poses. who have murdered and robbed and
outraged us, must be reversed.
I'VE have been robbed of the honest
wages Of our toll: we have been robbed Of
the substance Of our citizenship by murder
and intimidation we have been angered
by our enemies and deserted by our
friends. IL is time 10 call halt. IL Is time
10 begin TO fight fire with fire. speak as
an Airo-Americsn, first, last, and all the
time. ready 10 stab 10 death the political
party which robs me Of my confidence and
my vote and straightw8v asks me what
am going TO do about it,"
In conclusion he urged the convention
to leave each local league free to pursue
such political course in its immediate COM
munity as the best interests of the race
seem 10 dictate. In national affairs the
league should not commit itself officially
10 any party. I've propose" he
declared. "to accomplish our purposes
by the peaceful methods OF agitation
through the ballot and courts. But II
others use weapons of violence 10 combat
our peaceful arguments il is not for MS TO
run away. What is worth having Is
worth fighting for" Fortune was fire.
quently interrupted by loud and long-con-
timed applause and at its close he re-
ceived the congratulations of all the peo-
pie present.
The Committee on Permanent Officers
was appointed and an adjournment
to Tomorrow was taken. This eve
ming the delegates were given q
banquet in the First Regiment
Armory. arranged by the local committee.
G. III. j. Taylor. ex-ninister to Siberia, who
came to Chicago 70 report the convention
in detail for tho Atlanta C0ng'lftion, New
Orleans Times Democrat, Nashville Ame'-
can, and number of other papers
in the South, left the city on an
carly evening train. In an in
terview he declared the proceedings were
deprived of any practical force by the alb
pence Of delegates from the South, where
the colored people were the most interest
cd in the race question. In addition, the
leaders in whom tho colored population of
the country had confidence, and whose
names are familiar TO the public, were alb
sent almost to man-notably the colored
bishops and other clergy. Taylor sad he
had written nothing as to the work OF the
convention; that the occasion did not dc
mand L.