The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-02-08
AN APPEAL TO WHITE MEN.

ii
Negro Leaders Issue an Address
They Ask for Representation in the
Constitutional Convention.
Some fifteen or twenty colored men
OF Columbia met u few days ago for the
purpose Of taking some action in re-
ference to the constitutional conven.
ton. They arc in sympathy with that
branch Of the Republican party which
will hold a convention on Februry 6
The following address was prepared
and given fo" publication
70 the Fair minded, Humane and
Patriotic men Of South Carolina
The call for constitutional cOnven-
tlOn for the express purpose of dis
franchlsing the colorcd citizens of the
State, for imposing Il $3 poll tax upon
the already impoverished people OF
the State and Of repeating the 2-mill
school tax, has so alarmed us as a
race. that we, the representatives of
the coorcd people, do hereby appeal
To you, the sons and grandsons of
liberty fathers and grahdfath-
crs to lend us helping hand in pre-
serving and protecting that which is
most dear to all men and races. Why
disfranchisc the negro now? Had
this convention been called twenty
years ago, there might have been
some excuse for it, for we acknowl-
edge at that time there were many
things for which the white man OF
the State had just cause TO complain.
But after having control of the State
government for twenty years, during
which time the negro has grown in
tcllectually, financially and morally,
it seems both unreasonable anI un-
just to attempt at this late day to
eliminate him from the body polite.
of which he is part and parcel. Is
it because he is ungovcrnablc No,
all will admit that the negro is peace
able. law-abiding and ever ready to
strike blow for his State and coun-
try. And though, almost without
representation in either branch of his
State or national government, he is
not only amcnable to the laws Of his
State, but helps to maintain its gov
crnmcnt, even if it takes the last pig
out of his pen.
Has the negro made no improve
ment in the last twenty years
The records in the State will show
that the colorcd people of the State
pay more than five times as much taxes
now on real property than they did
twenty years ago. And the school re-
cords in each and all OF the counties
will show that the colorcd teachers
compare favorably with the whites in
ali points: and in all professions the
negro is making his mark and that
against great odds, for when it is re-
membcrcd that the white schools in
the State receive from 5000, 900 to
$500, 900 for higher education, while
the cOlOrcd schools receive but - 900
year, it is wonderful to see how the
negro has kept SO close to his white
brother in education. Bat the pliti-
clan says the negro is u dangerous
quality in politics, and if let alone will
control the State. Now, no one thinks
this but that class of' men who are
anxious to hold Offices. 1t is that cry
which has brought the State to her
present condition (ncgrO dominatiOn).
And so long rs the peanut politician
and the OtliCc-ScCkcr can continue thus
to fool the better thinking white men
Of the State, SO long will South Caro-
lima remain in her present condition.
And we. the representatives. Of the
colOred people in South Carolina, wish
here and now to inform the white pcO-
pie that we, as IL race, do not wish to
control the State. The idea is foolish
one 10 begin with, for no cOlOrcd man
with common sense would think for a
moment that the cOlOrcd race in its
present condition could control this
State against the wishes of the white
race. But, remembering that we con
stitutc part OF the citizenship of the
State, and knowing that we are en-
dOwcd by our creator, God, with GER
tain inalicrablc rights. and that among
these are life, liberty ana the pursuit
Of happiness, We contend that aS
citizens we are entitled to some re-
presentation from each and all the
counties in the State, though it be
minority representation, and this is all
we ask.
Therefore We, the representatives OF
the COlOrcd race in conference asscm-
bicd, and now sitting in the city of
Columbia, do advise the COlorcd pcO-
pie throughout the State to spare no
efforts in obtaining their registration
certificates. that they may be able to
exercise the right Of citizenship AT the
approaching election: : and we further
recommend that the colorcd people
support for the constitutional cOnvcn-
tion any and all fair minded white
men, and especially that class Of white
men whom we know to be too proud,
broad and humane to take advantage
Of the weak.
X. III. RICHARDSON, Chairman.
Z. +. HOLMES. Secretary.