Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-30

reason was that under a Republican
administration nearly 100000 slaves
had been freed. The colored vote has given
Pennsylvania to the Republicans nine out
Of ten times, but things are changing, and
the preiudices of the past are clearing away,
and the colored voter is thinking and work.
ing for his own interest. The speaker here
turned his attention to the present cam
paign, and dwelt thereon for some time.
He concluded by stating that the princi-
pie OF the Democracy was the greatest good
for the greatest number, and that what was
good for the white man was good also for
the colored man.
John Slaughter, one of the colored dele
gates from Williamsport, was the next
speaker. He started out by saying that he
has worked seven years trying to have the
colored voters divide themselves in the
different parties. He spoke of slavery and
the efforts of Thomas Jefferson to abolish it.
He said that the majority of the colored
people thought that the origin of the late
war was slavery, but this was all mistake,
and if the compromise offered by President
Lincoln had been accepted, the colored
people might have been in slavery yet.
THE CoLoRED MAN IN THE WAR.
The part played by the colored man in
the war was dwelt on, and the speaker said
that they owed the Republican party moth
ing. The colored people owed nothing to
any party. The speaker then advised the
colored voters to divide themselves between
the two great parties as the only way to get
recognition. He thought the reconstructed
Democratic party was the best party to con,
troll the Government. The speaker said
that the protective tariff was all bosh 80 far
as the colered man was concerned, and that
the Democrat of the South would do more
for colored man whom he liked than any
Nothern Republican would. The only loyal
Republican In the South was the colored
man, and if the colored voters of the South
would only divide themselves they could
gain recognition, and the great race problem
would be settled.
James W. H. Howard, delegate from
Harrisburg, was the next speaker, and said
that the colored men were citizens enjoying
the same rights and privilege as others, but
unfortunately they were without prefer
ence. The trouble was that the oolored
people unfortunately live too much in the,
past, and brood too much on the dark days
of slavery. They also brood too much on
the future and think too little of the pres
ent. They don't live at all, they simply
exist. The trouble is that they are jealous
of each other and begrudge each other the
positions they occupy. What they need is
to get out of their mind certain things.
The speaker thought that the colored man
was miserable, contemplate failure as
politician. There are 40, 900 colored votes
in the State, and some people say they are
the balance of power. This was not so;
there was time when it was, but it has
slipped away. The speaker did not con-
slider an appointment as recognition of
their rights, but to be elected by the suf-
frage of the people was. The colored peo-
pie were also lacking in organization, and
they are simply used as puppets.
The speaker was pleased to see the old
prejudice dying out that man was looked
down upon if he followed the courage of his
convictions, and was glad to see that the
rising class of young men and the thinking
old men are getting out of the old rut. He
did not advise the entire colored vote going
over to the Democracy, and wanted them to
divide up, the same as the Irish had done
and secured recognition.
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
The following resolutions we're offered by
the Committee on Resolutions:
WHEREAS, Recent developments rejecting
upon the honesty of two high officials in
this State are of such a character as to de-
mand the Chief Executive to convene in
extra session, the Senate of the State and
OIQ6f1ng GQ6m TO investigate THESE CHARGES,
Resolved, That the Democratic Colored
State League commend Governor Robert E.
Pattison for his prompt action in putting
his seal of condemnation upon dishonest
officeholders.
Resolved, That we view with alarm the
growing tendency to use public funds as
private property and we call upon all the
voters of this State. and especially the
colored voters to break away from party
ties and rescue the State from the hands of
plundersrs and bosses who now control it.
Resolved, That we appeal to the Afro
American voters of this State to fully realize
how importanJ their great vote, numbering
nearly 10000, can be made, in obtaining for
them the respect and recognition of both
political parties If it were properly used.
Resolved, That we urge upon them the
necessity of organization throughout the
State to make that vote factor in their
own behalf.
Resolved that the Afro-Americans of the
State of Pennsylvania be urged to organize
SO as to obtain for their children employ
ment in the various avenues and industries
from which they are now excluded.
Resolved, That we condemn and denounce
as inimical to our interests all organizations
composed of mechanics whose constitutions
contain the word white" and we urge
every oolored man to refuse to support by
his ballot any candidate of any party be-
longing to such an organization
These resolutions were unanimously
adopted, as was also resolution thanking
the citizens of Pittsburg, the press and
others for the cordial treatment of the dele
gates.