The Washington bee., 1896-11-21
THE AFRO AMERICAN LEAGUE

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING MONDAY
NIGHT-AN ELECTION CALLED FOR
-EDIToR FORTUNE WRITES-THE
GREAT NEED FOR RACE ORGANIZA-
TIoN A NATIONAL CONVENTION
TO BE CALLED.
An adjourned meeting of citizens for
the purpose of organizing IN Afro-Am-
erican League was held at the office OF
The WASHINGTON BEE on last Mon
day evening with Mr.. w. Calvin Chase
IN the chair and MIR. l.. II. Peterson
secretary 1t was P representative
body of Young Afro Americans who
are demanding a new leadership. for
the future benefit of the Afro American
race. 1t was representative gatheing
of citizens, who seemed to be enthu-
tic in organizing Afro American
Leagues throughout the city for SELF
protection, and to enable them to be
more of political factors IN the future.
LAWYER |. NJ. Kicks, i'll addressing the
meeting said that he was convinced
that organization among them was
the only thing that would benefit the
Negro. He saw the merit OF 1t. Mr..
| Paul II. Bray. Son-in law to Hon. ohn
l.. Waller, although a citizen OF Ran
sas said he was in favor OF the
movement and would join one Of the
local leagues, and do all in his power
! to make the movement success.
MIR. Robert r. Brown thought it was
a great effort and he would be found
among those to push the movement.
DIR. c. G.. Stewart and others made
similar addresses. The president read
a letter from Mir. I. Thomas Fortune
which is as follows:
Box 4S3, Jacksonville, Fla, Nov. IS.
! NV Dear ChaSe:
Your letter of the I2th instant reached
me here today from New York, and
am sorry that the delay may prevent
YOU from getting this reply Ill time for
the Monday night meeting. My dear
father is very sick and l was calico
here a week ago.
am glad that you are moving so
earnestly and successfully IN the league
matter. Some such institution ds the
/ Afro American League is positive ne
cessity. Ii was such IN 1890 "nen IL
was first organized, January IS al
Chicago. The people were not reaoy
for it then, although they needeo IT,
and needed it badly. Are they ready
for it now? This is an important queS-
tion. A movement like the league
intending to do for US what the fiome
Rule movement under Charles Stewart
Parnell did for lrishmen-torce re-
spect and justice from their feiiowmen
and from the government-can Cnly
succeed by the united enorts Cl Tue
nIe under the leadership OF men OF
The largest capacity and courage ana
unselfshness for the races good.
The unjust laws of States maze 10
destroy or degrade our manhooo ano
womanhood, the lnSolence ana con-
tempt of political managers, tne uh,
curbed license of individuals comblneG
as mobs, the robbery OF the poor ana
/ ignorant in the name ana unuer the
forms of law, the neglect OF tne uh-
| fortunate infants and the aPeo ano oes
titute-it these evils DO NOT can ioI ef
fective organization and wise leaoel,
shin then manhood and womannooo
are not worth preserving ana citizeh'
shin is not worth fighting for.
wish you much, success IN your
IovaI efforts In short time. as pres
id.nt of the National AFRO AmerlSah ca
League, shall issue call Tor Ma
tional Convention.
T. THOMAS FORTUNE.
To w. Calvin Chase, ESQ.,
Washington. ID. c.
At the conclusion OF the reading OF
Editor Fortunes letter, it was Loudly
annIauded and Secretary l.. II Peter-
SON offered the following which was
adopted: .;o, of the
Afro Americans Of this country was a
necessity as well as blessing, az me
"sme time millions Of slaves being