The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-02-20
The Negro Preachers Meet.
Organization for the Consti-
tutioual Convention.

The negro preachers met in Colum-
bia in convention yesterday aud organ
lied the Ministers Union.
They spens morning, afternoon aud
night 10 speech-making. and after much
discussion OF no moment the following
constitution and address were adopted:
pREAMBLE AND CONSTITUTION.
Whereas, there are patent causes
shich impel ministers, the leaders OF
the race, to organize themselves with
such an organization as will better pro-
,ect us as race along civil aud political
lines; aud whereas, we, the ministers
of the State of South Carolina, have
met in the Convention that We might
secure to ourselves aud our children
thas priceless legacy bequeashed to US
bv God and the united effort of COM
mon country: Be 1t
Resolved. therefore, That to estab-
lish justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defence, pro-
mote the general welfare and secure the
blessings Of liberty to US and our pos
serity, we do organize ourselves into
an organization known as the
Minister'S Union Of the State of
South Carolina. from and by which
State executive committee shall
be appointed, not consisting of more
than i've nor less than three in each.
Congressional district, to work aud
through the county executive committee
to organize in all the counties in the
State.
Article /, Section l. 1t shall be the
duty Of the State executive committee
70 appoint in each county a county
executive committee, whose duty it
shall be to organize in every precinct
in the county, aud see that all of the
members Of each club are furnished
with registration tickets.
Section 2. It shall be the duty Of
the State executive committee to can
vass or cause to be canvassed every
County in the State. instructing the
voters how aud fer whom TO vote.
Section 8. The executive committee
shall have full powe: to act in the ab
sence of this Convection whenever and
wherever emergency demands.
Section 4 It shall be further the
province Of the executive committee to
levy tax, which shall be apportioned
to the various districts. sufficient to en-
ploy legal talent to test the legality of
Acts by which the Jaws governing as
have been enacted and that shall be
enacted against the rights and privileges
Of franchise guaranteed to us by the
Constitution of the United States.
ADDRESS TO THE coLoRED PEOPLE.
To the Colored Citizens of the State Of
South Carolina: We. the negro ministers
Of South Carolina, in convention as
sembled, for the purpose of organizing
that Ue may more efectually assist our
people iu securing their rights and
privileges guaranteed to them by the
Constitution of the United States, de-
clare these principles as the platform
on which we stand.
We assemble not for the purpose of
fursheriog the interests or to be swayed
by any faction or leaders, but as Chris
tan citizens, who view with apprehen-
sion the as.emps low being made to Sc
cure in the coming Constitutional Con-
veption the practical disfrauchisement
Of our people in this State; We assemble
for the purpose Of counseling together
upon the wisess and bes. course to De
pursued by us in order to meet the emer-
gency that confrooss US and to issue
advice to our people, which acted upon
shall be potent in securing to them the
foil enjoyment of guaranteed civil and
political rights.
We believe that tie wide influence OF
the minister of the Gospel lays upon
him corresponding responsibility, aud
that, therefore, be should use his knowl-
edge and influence For. the good of his
people 10 every way as religious
teacher aud leader, approaching also
the fact that good citizenship is re-
ligious duty to be urged and iuculated:
l. By encouraging the meu Of the
race to put forth every effort to secure
.-gistration certificates, that they may
exercise the rights Of freemen and ctl-
zens and 10 case Of deuial Of the right
to register to be prepared to furnish eyl-
dence as to the grounds for such denial.
2 BY encouraging ward and pre-
cinct meetings, ic which Information
may be given as to the political situa-
sion and 10 arouse enthusiasm looking
toward broader and better citizenship