The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1891-03-28
ASK FOR RECOGNITION.
Address to President Harrison by the
Afro-American Press Association.
They Suggest the Propriety of Afro-Amer-
lean Representation in the Federal
Judiciary and on the Worlds
Fair Commission,

lean Representation in the Federal
judiciary and on the Worlds
Fair Commissions,
Washington, March 23.-The National
Committee of the Afro American Press
Association, P. H. Murray, chairman
and H. Price Williams, secretary, called
upon the President to-day and presented
the following address:
To the President: The Afro-American Press
Association of the United States at its recent an
nual session held at Cincinnati, Ohio selected the
undersigned committee to present to3 your Excel
Iency. the Hon. Benjamin HARRISON President of
the United States, the general claims and ndvid-
ua merits OF large class of American citizens for
representation and prominent positions in the
Columbian Worlds Fair Commission and also to
suggest the propriety and wisdom of selecting a
capable Negro jurist to fill place the bench of
the Federal judiciary.
The body we represent are the young progress
,sive, and brilliant men Of their race, They have
been effective in moulding thought, elevating the
masses, and giving impetus to every forward
movement that helps to make the progress of re-
Gently enslaved people the marvel of American
civilization. We desire to say their behalf that
your broad and statesmanlike policy official utter
ances, and sincere and persistent actions in favor
of mpartally protecting all classes and extending
to all alike the opportunities of enjoying the bene
fits as well as bearing the burdens of our great gov
eminent, assures that any claim which we may
present 49,. g.. ...'
FOUNDED UPON JUSTICE
and propriety will meet with the earnest consider
alton and hearty approval of the chief executive
Officers of the Nation.
Our National progress has been rapid in all d.
rections- agriculture, manufacture, art, science,
literature and legislation-but every other phase
sof American civilization is common to all chris
tendon except the rise of hitherto enslaved peo
pie to freedom and civilization under the influence
of the benign policy begun by Abraham Lincoln
land fostered and perpetuated by the wise methods
~of the administration which you preside.
Many millions in money are the value of the pro
ducts of Negro labor the wealth of the many
great States have been created by his TOLL and the
staples of vast region of the republic, which load
commerce, bless tables, and furnish mate
rial for the factories work are the result of the
patience and industry of the class in whose behalf
we speak.
Believing in your sincere desire to extend i'm
partial treatment to all classes, we respectfully in
vite your Excellency to consider the propriety of
placing some one of this Glass; peculiarly Illus
trative of the Nations progress in representative
and prominent position in
CONNECTION WITH THE WORLDS FAIR
to be held in Chicago ILL.,, in 1S93-some whose
affinity and sympathy will invite the cooperation
of the Colored people of America. " -,a,.
In many States of the Union as we'll as in our
National Congress, the legal status Of the Ameri-
can Negro, and his relative privileges and rights
in public and civil affairs is still matter of SER
ious discussion and legislation. That he may be
clothed with power to speak for himself with au-
thority, that the old-time idea of fair play may
prevail which grants to the peers of the accused
the right to voice in the Judgment, we beseech
that you will consider the merits of a number of
able jurists, who belong to the people we represent
in the judicial appointments which we understand
will be made in the near future,
AS free Americans we desire nothing that others
may not claim. There is neither merit nor demer.
it. in complexion; but in ability, labor,
patriotism, and long and loyal service to the pub.
Tic good, which qualities we believe we
possess, there is that to which we desire recogni
tod in the instances already suggested. 1t is not
our purpose to embarrass your administration by
anyuntoward or impoitic action, for it is an ..
HONORABLE AND PATRIOTIC AMBITION
which impels us to ask that we have proper repre-
;sentation in an exhibition which can present moth
ing more marked and wonderful in human prog
ress than the products OF the brain and muscle of
a people so recently enfranchised.
Hoping that this presentation of the views of a
very important body of American citizens may
meet your favorable consideration, we ever pray
and remain respectfully yours,
P. II. MURRAY, St. Louis Advance,
H. PRICE WILLIAMS, Washington Pilot,
ROBERT PELHAM. Detroit Plaindealer,
J. GORDON STREET. Boston Courant.
JOHN DANcY, Star Of Zion, North Carolina,
Committee.
The President in response said that so
far as a position on the Worlds FAIR
Commission was concerned there were
no vacancies, and if one were to occur
the alternate would fill the place. If it
became possible. however, to do any
thing and the proper man was presented
he would make the appointment.
Speaking with reference to the request
that a Colored man be appointed to the
bench the President asked if the delega-
ton had man who was thoroughly
versed in the laws and had arrived at
the e:ni1lence in practice which would
entitle him to an appointment as cir
cult Judge.
present the name of a good man,
said the President, ''and I will give it
that consideration which its Importance
commands"
When the committee told the Presi-
dent that there were number of that
class among the race whose names would
be presented to him with the indorse.
mant of the bar in the State at which
they practiced, he advised that their
names be sent in, and promised to con.
slider them impartially.
The interview was very cordial and
pleasant, the President inviting the
committee to call again and thanking
the Afro-American Press Convention
for its kindly remembrance of his en-
deavors to act fairly by the race.
Gallipolis, Ohio.
Mrs. Fanny Stewart is on the sick list
Mr.. Flood of Kentucky was in the city
NEnET Sc, ocvox,o mr., Ia