Huntsville gazette., 1890-02-08

though slavery has been abolished by
the supreme voice of the people an
industrial system has been established
npon it in certain sections as unjust,
grinding, and as inhuman as that
which it has rep aced.
1T can not be denied that al.
though we have been made co equal
citizens Of the Republic we are de-
prised the enjoyment of the fruits of
citizenship. 1t can not be denied
that in most States the public opinion
among our white fellow-citizens has
not kept pace with the progress the
Afro. American has made as man
and citizen. 1t can not be denied
that freemen in some States are
treated as if they were slaves. We
are firmly convinced that political
parties have ceased consistent to con>
cert themselves with the Importance
of denial to Afro Americans ef the
rights and immunities guaranteed to
them by the fundamental law OF the
land; and we are convinced that in
this important respect it is necessary,
for the preservation of our sacred
rights as citizens. of our cherished
rights to life and to protection Of
property, to place ourselves in such
position as most efectua'ly to rouse
the conscience of the entire Nation,
without regard to party, in the earn
est effort to secure our just rights un>
der the Constitution.
"In the organiza ion of the Afro
American League we hope to secure,
by bipartisan action. by submit.
ting our cause to the entire people,
the cooperation of all lovers of JUS
tice and fair play, even as in the days
before the war, of whatever party,
in our contention. We hope to stim-
ulate among the Afro Americans
more tariff, more economy and a
higher morality.
"We hope to lead the Afro Amer
icaL into ways Of more correct edu~
cation, the better to meet the pres
ent requirements ofthe age. To this
end we rely more upon the wisdom
Of establishing agricultural, mechan-
ical and business schools, together
with acade,nical and professional
schools, rather than maintaining ex.
clu~ive schools, for mental training.
We hope, and earnestly expect, that
each State in which large numbers
Of A Afro-Americans are congregated
will supplement the appropriations
now made for the maintenance Of
public schools, by liberal appropria-
tions for the establishment and main
tenance of such agricultural, ,mechan.
ical and business schools, which can
be easily made self'sustaining. We
also favor the principle Of National
aid for the education of the people.
at is our desire to accomplish the
purposes Of the National Afro-Amer'
lean League by peaceful and law
abiding means. We earnestly pro-
test against all forms of violence,
which can never be ejustifable except
in self-defense. With the entire
race earnestly laboring to accom-
pIish the objects heren stated, and
with the cooperation Of the best
elements of the people ofihe country
North and South East and West and
relying upon the eternal justice Of
che God of nations. we confidently
expect result favorable to the
right.
"The unsupported number Of
atrocities committed in many Of the
Southern States within the past year,
together with the fact that such out
RACES have from time to time dis
graced the majesty Of the law in
those States and brought the entire
Nation into disrepute in the eyes Of
the civilized world, convinced US
that an abnormal condition, from
whatever cause, prevails in those
States, in 50 far that it is commonly
understood and believed that the law
in the South is not expected to be