Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-09-27
special Correspondence OF Gazette and journal

Especial Correspondence OF Gazette and journal
# DOVER, Sept. 26.-The colored Re-
publicans of Delaware held a conven-
~ ton here yesterday. II was quite n
large gathering, and very respectable in
appearance and conduct, although it
was ruled by spirit of intolerance
" that gives very little promise of the
negro in Delaware ever becoming free
IVA political agent, or anything else, po-
WY litically, than the slayish adhercnt of
III Republicanism. There was but a
slight attempt at this convention to di-
vert 1t from the channel of abiect wor-
ship of the Republican party, and that
attempt was squelched by plump re-
fusal to allow the remonstrants to be
heard.
The convention, however, was run by
the Republican managers, and expenses
OF delegates were paid out of political
funds. 1t had to be, therefore, Re-
publican convention, although it was
NOT called as such. The call, by the
way, was rather curious paper, and
reads as follows:
The biggest convention of colored citi-
4 zens ever held in the State will assemble in
4 the Opera House mt Dover on Tuesday,
II September 18th. 1894, at 1870 IA. m. The
convention has for its object the correction
OF several misleading statements published
70 the daily and weekly papers since the
III Republican State convention. In these
" Statements the colored clergy of the differ
cnt denominations and other representa-
Gives of the race have been made to APP
pear in a false light. Representatives will
be present from all parts of the State. Ad-
dresses will be made by Dr. W. II. L.
Butler of Philadelphia and others. Signed
mi Il On behalf of the committee.
En- %I3 REV. w. II. EDWARDS.
D., /lrhe Rev. Mr.. Edwards, whose name
IL 4 appended TO this call, is pastor of the
Tx Colored M. Il. Church of Dover, and he
called the convention to order at 1890
o'clock. A. G. B. Anderson of Viii.
mington was made chairman, and after
the appointment of the committee OF
resolutions adjournment was made until
afternoon. Ben Watson's law office
was, meanwhile, placed at the disposal
III of the resolutions committee.
In the afternoon there was an attend.
ance of about 200, and the proceedings
III opened with an address by the Rev.
ii William H. Heard Of Wilmington. II
was an urgent appeal to the colored
voters to stand by the Republican party.
Then the resolutions were read, as
follows:
l. We indorse the platform adopted by
the Republican State convention of 1891.
2 We have the utmost confidence in the
fealty to the great Republican party.
whose every effort and energy has tended
toward elevatng and fraternizing all
classes of people of this great and glorious
country, thereby rejecting the highest
order of intelligence and humanity and
contributing to the growth and prosperity
of the whole nation and of the great mass
HI of its colored citizens.
All g. RESOLVED, That the platform adopted
WI together with the candidates named for
Hi the several offices at the late Republican
HI convention, have our unqualified approval
II and we pledge ourselves to use every
honorable and lawful means to insure the
All election of the ticket nominated, believing
III in all honesty and fairness, that they will
III insure to the colored citizens of this State
iii all the franchises of citizenship and that
hi they will improve every opportunity to
HI aid in the advancement and elevation OF
Hi our race.
HI A. Being inspired by these hopes and
A expectations we unhesItatIngly accept the
III deliberations OF the late Republican con.
II yention on the subject of increased appro.
Nj priation for our schools As u Just and
II crying need OF our race is more education,
\ both Of bead and hand we ask equal edu-
j VI cational facilities i'll separate school build.
\, \ inGs. We need better teachers, more pay
II for such teachers, and above all there is
IL, Agreat need for better school buildings and
- more of them. Each community Of our
people should have its own school, in
order that all children of the State may
enjoy tue advantages of u public school
education. We deprecate and condemn
sthe present partisan system of examining
appointing, paying and controlling the
teachers of our schools. Our educational
system is made the football of partisan
superintendents or other Democratic poll
ticians. Our teachers, in many instances
receive their certificates only on condition
that they SOW seeds of political discussion
Whatever educational advantages are con,
coded to us i'll this progressive and ad
vanced age will be properly appreciated
and welcomed as harbinger OF equality
before the law.
8. We reiterate the expressions already
made in these declarations of our unalter
able and abiding faith in the Republican
party of the State of Delaware, and We
earnestly deprecate the attempt of certain
colored men, not having the interest of the
race at heart, but actuated by selfish anC
mercenary motives, to seek To divide the
colered vote and. EsaE-like, sell our birth
right for mess OF pottuge.
9. This convention further declares that
il represents the true purpose and bes
sense of the colored voters of this State.
so-called Democratic voter of Udr race Is I
despised man even by the party Will
whom he is affiliated and we therefore de.
snounCe the course of such men rs unpa
triotic, misleading and degrading, and We
III Bolemnly and earnestly call upon every
III voter of our race throughout the State t
III put his mark of condemnation upon al
VI Democratic overtures and use all his ener
Ill gies to the full restoration of Republican
iii supremacy in the State aud nation.
Ill Z. We express our gratitude to the ma
I'm tional Republican administration, which
Nl made adequate and proper provisions fo
IA, the founding of the State college, Nher,
III the youth of our race may obtain tn,
II advantages of a higher education. We ap
II preciate The efforts of majority of TIL
ii trustees for its proper conduct and we hav
II faith that the great work 50 auspiciousl,
II begun will, under the wise and liberal Re
publican leg islaton, be made to redoun,
" 10 the uplifting of our race and to tn
4 II credit and welfare of our State.
INK The resolutions were put to vot
IL quickly and adopted. Then was notice.
u the evident intention of the manager
not to permit anything but Simon-pur
W III )ublicanism at this convention. A
II d egate who desired to speak in oppo
ii sition to the resolutions was summarll,
shut UP with the information that h
4 X was not delegate, and the Rev. W. II
| II II. Butler of Philadelphia was hastil,
II introduced as the speaker of the day
| II He rushed at once to the front AM
| began talking, apologizing for his undu
\ II haste by stating that he desired to begil
Il his speech IN order to prevent wha
Il promised to be out OF place and al
II interference with the harmony of til
II III nneetinp His sneech was nm aruun,en