Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-23
COLORED MEMS RIGHTS.
The Petition of the Afro-American
League to the President.

The committee appointed by the national
Afro-American league convention, recently
held in Chicago, to present to the executive
and Congress petition for the enactment of
legislation TO secure to the colored people their
rights under the Constitution. have presented
the following paper to President Harrison:
Mr.. President: Indorsing, as We do the SEN
timents as expressed in your message to Con-
gress regarding the rights of Afro-Americans,
who form such a large and potent element of
the political party with which you are identi-
fed, We have the honor to inform you that we
have been appointed by the executive commit
tee Of the National Afro-American league,
under instructions of the national convention
held in the city of Chicago ON the 18TH 18th
and 18th lnstants. to petition the executive and
Congress for the enactment of such laws and
the enforcement of those already enacted as
will secure 70 us our rights citizens guaran-
teed under the national Ronstitution and Its
amendments.
1.-The recent outrages in the south an d those
committed against us IN the discharge of our
rights IN the selection of our national repre-
sentatlyes at each succeeding election are be-
coming more appalling and atrociOus. We are
only citizens IN name. Our will at the ballot
box Is completely thwarted aud the result Is
an unjust representation given 10 our enemies
TO the great detriment of ourselves and the en-
"a
unjust and destructive of the aims intended
by the supreme law of the land The nation hav-
ing given Us our freedom. well as our civil and
political rights, we can but look TO il as law
abiding citizens for the protection of that free
dom and those rights by the enforcement OF a
republican form of government in each state
Claiming 20 be sovereign yet denying the right
of suffrage. which must always be above that of
state sovereignty.
In most of the southern states we are denied
TEHr n ~ int .f..,,f
President and Vice President and national rep
resentatlyes. We have no representation in
the jury box in but few counties OF any of these
states. nor have we a fair trial by the courts of
those states where lynch law and mob violence
prevail. We would, therefore, respectfully ask
the President of the United States to do
all in his power to right these wrongs
I'VE have also been instructed to petition the
national Congress Tor the passage of the Blair
educational Dill, so that the illterate classes of
both races IN the south may be enabled more
intelhgently 10 discharge the duties OF citizen
ship. since, under the present educational sys-
TEN IN the south, that end can never be at
tanned.
In many localities less than two months tut
tion Is afforded our children by poorly paid
teachers When the RICH; of citizenship was
given Us, although our labor had been forced
from us for centuries without any compensation
whatever, no provision WAS made for our edu-
cation. and since the states ID charge OF this
sacred trust have proven themselves inadequate
TO the requirements OF this important obliga-
ton, We are driven to appeal TO Congress and
TO the executive. as the head Of the national
government, TO and lis in this important matter.
PledgIng ourselves to be loyal TO the nation
and 10 Its Institutions, as We have always been,
and our hdellty at all times would respect
fully urge, Mr. President, that you will use
your best endeavors to bring about the roaliza-
tlon of the desires OF your humble petitioners
IN these matters, and for which We in behalf of
tnose we represent, will ever pray. Your
obedlent servants, H. e. &. Astwood. chairman;
W. A. Pledger, W. II. Heard j. T. Hayne.
Phelix G. Anderson, j. A. Brockett, Nj. Il.