The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-15
.AFRO-AMER|CAN LEAGUE.
a Rousing Mass-Meeting Held
in the Auditorium Last
Night.
The Political Situation Reviewed by
Speakers of the Colored and
White Races.

The Auditorium was crowded to the
doors last evening, the occasion being a
Republican mass-meeting. held under the
auspices OF the Atro-American RepubIi-
can League. Not only were the colored
citizens and their wives and daughters
there, but hundreds of patriotic Republic
cans of all classes were present. On the
stage were many members of the league.
Miss Minnie Scott, president of the
Women's Afro American League, and
as vice-presidents, while interspersed
among them were Mrs. Addie l.. Ballou
and other ladies of the Women's State
Republican Club.
z. B. Morton presided, and after extend
ing hearty welcome said:
AS Afro-Americans we have not forgotten
the historical events which carry us back in
grateful remembrance OF the heroic deeds of
the Republican party during the great rebel
lion. From out OF the smoke and turmoil of
hundreds OF battles there looms up before us
in this quiet hour of peace that tall form OF
one OF the worlds greatest heroes.
His right arm is extended, and with a most
kindly eountenance he points to the enamel
patton proclamation, which strikes the CALLING
letters OF slavery from millions OF human
beings.
AS the vision fades from sight a banner is
unfurled, not of any strange device but the
Rev. II. ]. Calls was presented and de-
livered an interesting address, touching
upon the allegiance the colored race owe
to the Republican party. He spoke of
home industries and the fact that in some
parts of the United States the workshops
are closed TO the negro. He said that the
country owes to the negro the chance to
work.
w. E. Henderson was introduced as the
sily er-tongued orator of Southern Cali
fornia, and he did justice to the title in
his comparison of the records of the two
great political parties ana discussion of
the silver question. He was loudly APP
plauded.
The Afro American League, under the
direction of Mr.. Green, rendered several
pleasing songs.
George A. Knight was loudly applauded
by the audience. Mr., Knight uninten-
tienally stepped upon the toes of the Off
GERS OF the league, SO to speak, by declar-
ing that he did not like a prefix to the
name American. There is 10 Irish
American, German American, Franco
American or Afro-American.
"They are either Americans, pure and
simple, or they are something else" Pres
1dent Morton. later in the evening said
that he would defend the name Afro
American League. Mr.. knight aroused
considerable enthusiasm, .and in ccnclu-
Slon sdtu' he hepuDllcan party mas al
ways given you protection, and ask you
to stand by that party, Tor when you do
so you are simply helping yourselves"
ID. b. o. Brien, the nominee for Congress
from the Fourth District. made a rousing
speech, in which he attacked the policy Of
James 6. Mcguire, President Cleveland
and 1.-The boy orator of the Platte"
Thomas Pierson vas introduced as one
who was born slave and had been twice
sold in slavery. Mr.. Pierson reviewed the
political history of the United States and
concluded by making strong plea for
woman's suffrage.