Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-12
IN FAVOR OF THE LODGE BILL.
The Mass Meeting of Coiored Citizens
at Grand Army Hall.

The enactment of the federal elections bill
was advocated last evening at y mass meeting
OF coiored citizens at Grand Army Hall. On
the platform were seated the orators of the
evening and number OF invited guests; also
the officers Of the District branch OF the
National Equal Rights acknowledgements the
auspices of which the meeting was held. Rep
resentatiyes Atkinson Of Pennsylvania and
Bowden OF Virginia occupied seats on the plat
form during portion of the evening. In the
Intervals Of the speech making string band
dlscoursed patriotic music. X. II. Cleaner
presided. and after prayer by Rev. r. II.
U. Dys ON letters were read from a num-
Der of prominent men who had been invited to
address the meeting, and who wrote to express
thelr regret at not beng able to be present
and their sympathy with the objects of the
meeting. The letters read we're from Senator
Chandle-, Representatives Greenhalge, Mudd,
McDuffie, GrOsvenor, Rowell, Lodge, Fost aud
Morse. Mr.. Frederick Douglass, District Com
missioner Douglass, Robert Purvis OF PhIladel-
phia, and Col. J. S. GARRISON.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
series of resolutions were reported and
adopted The resolutions set forth the alleged
evils which the bill is designed to correct, and
urge the passage Of the bill. so that the right
of suffrage may be restored in a number of the
States, where at present some o. the citizens
are prevented from the exercise of this PRIV
lege, or where they are allowed to vote and
their votes are not counted.
The chairman OF the meeting was empowered
10 appoint ii committee OF 100 for the purpose
OF preparing memorial 10 the United States
Senate in favor OF the passage OF the Dlii.
THE SPEECHES.
When the business before the meeting had
been disposed of the speaking began. DR..
Charles Il. Purvis tie first speaker, and. as
usual. he made an effective address. He pointed
out that the law was not intended. as had been
asserted, to make voters, but 10 enable citizens
to cast their votes. 1t was designed 10 faclil-
tate the exercise of rights by citizens conferred
on them by the highest iaw of the land. There
ought not the speaker said. be any objection
to y law OF this kiud BY any well-disposea man,
and the fact th-t conditions existed III this
country which demanded such law was, he
thought. disgrace bot upon civilization.
Representative Kerr Of Iowa made "a strong
plea Tor the bill. lie said that lie had voted for
II i'll the House and believed that ii was a wise
and jus; measure.
PROF LAydsTON's ADDRESS.
Prof. John VI. Langston. who received a
hearty greeting, made the main address Of the
evening. lie asserted that this bill did not
seek to make law for either white colored
people. Ii was in no sense class legislation,
but 1t applied to the entire country and 70 the
whole people, and gave every citizen the OPP
portunity for full and free ballot. He denied
that IL referred to the sOGth or that there
any word in it that could be so construed It
was intended to insure 10 the people of tie
country the enjoyment OF their rights as guar
antced by the Constitution.
Speeches were also made by Chas. W. Ander-
sou, president of the Young Mems Coiored Re-
publican Club OF New ork city; ;. r. Stratton,
president D! tine Pennsy lyanit Republican As
socidtlOn. and i. NunsOn OF Chicago. Several
RT tn Ik,ar q
attributed to his influence largely the passage
OF the bill by the House. illusions to Mr.
Reed were received with enthusiastic applause
Confidence was also expressed that the senate
would pass the bill and that its provisions
would be enforced with vigor by the present
administration.