Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-11
WEALTHY IN WORDS
Is the Address of the South Carolina Negroes to the People of the United
 States.

Columbia, s. C., July 10.-Today a state conference of about 100 representative negroes of the state met in the state chamber to discuss the outlook for the coming constitutional convention. The conference was held with closed doors and it was not until late tonight that anything was given the press. The ne groes adopted a long address ito the people of the United States The ad- dress says at the outset:
 "AS a part of the constituent element our national government draws its life blood in time of peace, and from whose life blood it exacts tribute in time Of war under the broad reciprocal relations that should exist among all the people of one country, that should be elastic, offensive or defensive weapons for every Ameri- can citizen, however humble at home or abroad, in order that the theory of gov ernment handed down by the fathers might be fully realized and enjoyed by every individual on every inch of na- tional territory, we submit that a small but desperate minority of the population has declared its purpose to perpetuate it's power by unlawfuliy trampling under foot all the rights and franchises grant ed us by the federal constitution as a means of protectin life, liberty and property
 we have used every means in defense of our constitutional rights and fran chises known to law-abiding citizens in this state without effct, and as last re- sort are forced to cal upon the strong arm of the natoinal government for a defense of rights granted and guaranteed by itself.
 reserve force to uphold local authorities in every state the federal government, in rder not to be imposed upon and used tolatr an6n suppressing it, should see to it that republican form of government, which we understand to be government 1n-
 stituted by the sovereign will of a majority of the constitutionaily quail fled voters actually exists in every state.
 "We humbly crave our influence With the constituted authorities of the nation in order that there consciences and arms might be strengthened in efforts to have the constitution and laws of the nation upheld, so hat each American citizen might have the equal protection Of the law, without which constitutional guar antees are mere mockeries and life ltself a burden to the people of the state."
 They attribute the increase of murders and lynchngs to the disregard for law which the party in power has displayed and attack without gloves the nature of the government of this party.
 They say: "As the facts of history themselves prove. we deny that there has ever been desire or attempt on ouh part to dominate the government. With the large body of us voting. most Of whom are illterate and poor, there is not as much danger of our control of the government as there Is of the laboring classes of Massachusetts, New York or Pennsylvania. who, with unlimited suf- frage, do not control. While we are entitled to participation in the govern ment commensurate with our wealth and intelligence, the republican party is only a secondary consideration compared with our right to retain our right of suffrage, which cannot be annulled by any cnnsti- tutional means"
 They pledge themselves 10 the fair