Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-08
THE JOHN M. PALMER CLUB.
Senator Palmer Addresses q Colored Demo
cratic Organization at Some Length.

The John NJ. Palmer Club. an organization
composed Of colored democrats who reside in
this city, held meeting in Irving Hall on Capt.
tol Hill last evening. 1t had been announced
that Senator Palmer would address the meet
ing. while some of the members who attended
expected also to hear from Commissioner Ross
and Maj Moore. When Senator Palmer en-
tered the hall he was warmly greeted by num-
Der Of oolored citizens. including DIR. Jerome r.
Riley, president OF the club; Lawyer j. NJ.
Kicks and John L. Bowles. president of the
Colored National Press Association.
DR.. Riley opened the meeting with q few re-
marks. saying there no such thing as per-
petuity IN politics and that therefore those
present had no apology to make for being pres
emit at q democratic meeting. In referring to
Senator Palmer he said he desired to introduce
a man who had served the colored people bet
ter than any other public man. The Senator
paid some reference to the small number
present, but DR.. Riley assured him that before
the close Of another year the membership OF
the club would be doubled. He said that there
had been as many forty-fve persons at a
meeting Of the club.
SENATOR PALMER's ADDRESS.
A little over year ago the Senator said he
met DR.. Riley, who told him Of the club which
bore his name. Before the war, the Senator
the rebellion he held the same views When
the war closed he said he was in command Of
the department Of Kentucky. He signed the bill
giving equal rights in the schools, after he re-
turned to Illinois and as q lawyer indicated his
action and the right Of the colored people
"What I did, he said, "was from q convic-
ton that slavery was injurious to both races
from a conviction that no man is born to be q
slave, nor ia any man born to become a master.
After the war / desired very much that the col
ored people should be entirely free ard felt that
when given the right to vote the colored people
would show, in the course of time, that they
were able to handle that vote in a manner that
would reflect credit on themselves l never
questioned whether he could do it wisely or
not, for, indeed, never doubted his ability to
perform his duty well at first l knew it was
the only weapon he could use. 1t was far bet
ter than muskets and would eventually raise him
to the level Of others. The ballot has proven
an effective weapon in the hands of the colored
men in their battle for their rights.
coLoRED MEN AS CITIZENS.
IL address colored men citizens" he con-
tinued. Il address them not as colored cti-
zens, but as American citizens and as such let
me remind you it is their duty to share the re-
sponsibility Of their country, and that duty to
his country, to my mind is a little short of his
responsibility to HE God. At the close of the
war saw that the great mass Of the colored
people were republican and it was perfectly
natural, from feeling of gratitude, that they
should go with that party, but parties have be-
come mere political agencies in which you have
no interest. The colored people made a mis-
take when they went in body to one political
party. My belief is that any colored man who
believes that his personal interests will be
looked after by any political party is mis-
taken"
The Senator advised the colored people to
vote the democratic ticket when they voted,
but told them that they need not do so with
the expectation that the democratic party
would take them under its wing. That party,
he said. would promise them the benefit Of
good laws, and would give them the chance that
others have of elevating themselves, and that
was as much as any political party could truth
fully promise.
CEASE RACE FEELING.
"Cease to admit that you belong to a separate
race, said the Senator, ''for SO long as YOU
claim that you are a separate and distinct race
just SO long will you be treated as such. You
must put yourselves on plane with other
citizens. You should expect no more and
should submit to nothing less No man was
ever respected or deserved to be respected who
did not respect himself, SO that you must ac-
quire that self-asserting self-respect which will
make you respected by others.
There are in this country great many COL
ored men known to politicians as .profe ssional
the progress of your people. They claim that
they can deliver on election dav so many COL
ored votes, and with them it is matter of bust
ness; 1t is delivering your people the same as
one would deliver chattels. Now. don't mean
to say that they can deliver them, for do not
know whether they can or not At any rate
they have done much to bring you into dis
grace.
PROFESSIONALS" IN WASHINGTON.
''You have right here in Washington" said
the Senator, "a number Of respectable gentle
men who live on their professions to be able to
deliver the colored vote"
Continuing. Senator Palmer told Of a meet
ing in Illinois. the occasion being an anniyer-
sary of the colored people. He said he sat and
listened to speeches by Senator Cullom and the
governor. both of whom told his hearers that
they should vote the republican ticket Then
he said Washington colored man, who for
merly resided in Mississippi, echoed their SEN
timents
"When they had concluded their remarks,
said the Senator. ~ called upon for a
speech, and 1 told them that l would be
ashamed to tell them that they should vote for
any particular party. told them that the late
war was as grand deliverance as was the de-
Everance of the Jews In Egypt, but l should
certainly be ashamed to ask them to take upon
themselves another yoke. OF course, during
the days OF slavery the lash was numerically
used, and l don't blame those upon whom it
was used for hating those who used it, but as
the younger generations are becoming better
educated they should shake off all shackles and
feel that they are American citizens and can
select their own party and own principles In
conclusion let me thank you for the honor con-
ferred by naming your club as you have, and
let me advise you that you must acquire prop
erty and build up yourselves in a way that YOU
will make good and patriotic citizens, and don't
put too much dependence upon political party
promises. But might advise You that when
you vote it would be better for you to vote the
democratic ticket
Death of Wilson q. Hunt of New York.
Wilson G. Hunt. the wealthy capitalist, died
after midnight yesterday morning at the Claresn-
don Hotel, New York. The causes Of death
were cerebral apoplexy and senile debility,
following long illness.
Mr.. Hunt was born in New Jersey a little
more than eighty years ago. At the time of
his death he had the reputation OF being a
director in more financial institutions than any
other man i'll the country. He was a director
In the United States Trust Company, the Union
Trust Company, the New Haven and Hartford
railroad. the Park National Bank and the New
York Life Insurance and Trust Company. He
was a lifelong democrat
Norfolk Business Man Found Dead
George W. Baber, q travelling salesman, was
fouDI living dead IN the Aoor - h.. .oo.~. -