Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1895-08-16
AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING.

Ihe meeting Oh LAe AFRO hiueI icdH
Protective Association held Monday
night was fairly well attended. Many
who were absent allowed pleasure to
call them away from duty.
The call was published in the city
papers and was issued by Charles
Woods. president of the local associa-
tion, and r. n. Hyde, president of the
state association. There We're over
100 present
R. n Hyde presided and stated the
object Of the meeting. He gave clear
statement OF the late trouble in Spring
Valley--how men, women and children
were driven from their homes by an
armed mob composed mostly of men
who were not American citizens. He
urged upon his hearers the fact that
mob rule was on the increase and that
all good citizens must stand together
in favor of law and order if they would
have such disgraceful affairs cease.
After the remarks of the presiding
officer a motion was offered and carried
that committee be appointed on
resolutions. The committee retired
and very appropriate remarks were
made by John f. Blagburn, 7. c.
Barton. A. L. Bell, G. ]. Holt and
Henry McCraven. w. w. Warwick
was inclined to be melancholy and
Haunted the red flag IN great style. To
him the past was dark, the present
almost unbearable and the future had
no hope for the Negroes of the United
States.
A woman who halls from-God knows
where-and says her name is Mrs.
John A. Logan disgusted everyone
present by speaking of things which
were not up for discussion, and of the
things she did speak there is an open
question of veracity. 1t was dem
onstrated at this meeting that she did
not represent the sentiments of the
many good. true, loyal and intelligent
Afro American citizens of this COM
munity.
The attention of the meeting was
called by Mr.. 7. E. Barton to the dis
cussion of the Spring Valley matter in
the city press. He was very severe on
the Des Moines Daily News, which pub
lished quite long editorial placing
the Italians In the lowest scale of
humanity, intelligence, and placing
the Negroes just little lower, it pos
sible. He desired all men to read the
papers, listen to the speeches and
watch the actions of public men in
order to correctly judge of the merits
of expressed friendship.
The committee reported the follow
ing resolutions:
WHEREAS. number of American cit
liens were driven from their homes by an
armed mob IN Spring Valley, Illinois.
Hesolyed, That we, the Afro-Amerlcan
Protective Association OF Des MONIES.
condemn all actions which abridges the
liberty of all men to honestly compete in
all fields of labor and business.
That we believe in the protection OF all
American citizens in their rights and
privileges as such citizens against foreign
or domestic invasion.
That we believe 1t to be the paramount
duty of the state of Illinois to enforce the
laws of that state against those who have
sullied its fair name and fame.
That all men who have violated the laws
of a state or of the nation should be pun
ished without fear or favor
That we condemn all actions which have
not q foundation in fact and in law.
That we condemn the action of the state
and municipal authorities IN the state of
louisiana in its treatment of the Negroes
and American citizens who were shot to
death in the city of New Orleans and hope
that the chief executive Of Illinois will
preserve the peace and dignity Of the state
of Illinois.
That all we ask is an equal opportunity
and protection in our rights as American
citizens
That we furthr condemn the action of
the treatment of Afro-American citizens in
the state of Texas, who were driven out of
the state and compelled to flee with their
families to place of safety and sell their
property at sacrifice. And be it further
Rssol,ed That we will assist by financial
help and if necessary by our presence in
rigbting all depredations committed upon
us by any person or persons without due
regard to the law.
CHARLES s. RUFF,
RrH Il a CtIARK