The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-04
convention proceed to consider how the

/ al.
next speaker. He said he represented ar
organized club Of independents. He said
the Republican party had betrayed its
principles and promises. "Though the
devil cuts off the flag / mean to stick
| to the staff and still bid defiance to these
bosses who have fooled us. Men get ur
here and say, Take my name off that
list What do you want it taken off
for? Amt you niger; some of you
here are as black as me. If you amt
for the niger race, you ought to be-"
At this point the following committee
on resolutions was appointed: X. 1t. w.
Leak, ID. z. Lane and Henry Goodson.
Permanent officers were now elected
as follows:
E. A. Johnson, Of Raleigh, chairman.
DIR. A. NJ. Moore, of Durham, secre-
tary.
Johnson was escorted to the chair by
Foster, of Granville, and Leatherwood,
Of Asheville.
SOMETHING WRONG.
On taking the chair, Johnson said he
was in sympathy with any movement in
North Carolina that was in the interest
of the negro race. "The negro in North
Carolina is freeman in truth or he's n
freeman in fiction. His freedom means
he's citizen or he's nothing. Now IL
he's q citizen he's entitled to all the
rights and emoluments that any other
man in North Carolina has. II that call
there is correct, then the efforts Of Lin
coin to emancipate us has been in vain.
There is something wrong. We vote TO
put others in office. Why shouldn't We
hold some Of the Offices. Any colorcd
man who can't come into a convention
to remedy this evil, is no friend to his
race. Why is it, if I'm competent, l
haven't got as much right to hold an
office as anybody else? If I'm not COM
petent I've no right to hold the office;
neither has white man. The color
line ought not to be drawn in the Re
publican party.
"If men want to come here and dodge
this sort of doctrine, let them do it. 1t
will be popular some day. The fellow
who's afraid TO have his name put here
on this roll either has an office or has
been promised one, and he don't want
to help anybody else get one. l haven't
got an office and l don't want one.
I'VE want offices. not entirely for their
money value. but for the moral influence
of them upon the Advancement of the
race. Had you rather have the Offices open
or listen to some boss or heller who
says keep quiet? ca voice Open them.J
There is only one cficc N North
Caro- ira that tie negro now has that we
didn't have before-that is the clerkship
held in the Agricultural department by
Jim Young.
A voice-"And that amt the hun
dredth part of what was promised u.s."
During the campaign the Republican
and Populist leaders said the horse that
pulled the pillow ought to eat the fodder.
Well. I tell you the old FLY amt get
ting the fodder. She's not even getting
the corn-stalks. The negro cast two
thirds of the votes ana he gets one measly
little clerkship. They say negro ought
not TO ask for an office. Certainly he
ought TO ask for an office. I'd ask for
one If | saw one I wanted. But I don't
want any office they'd give me-" Gap
plause.l-
THE LINCOLN LEAGUE.
The report OF the resolution committee
was now read by Rev. r. HI. W. Leak,
who said:
1.-THE call for this convention having
been endorsed by all the negroes in this
house. except those who have an office
or one promised. tApplause), we take
the call as part Of our report, In addi-.
ton to this We beg TO add the follow
ing:
'Resolved. that this organization be
known as the Lincoln Republican
Lea gue gsa
so. That the objects of this organiza-
tion are to promote TIE interests Of the
Republican party and secure to colored
Renublicans their just and proper recog-
milton.
"3. That any Republican voter may
become member Of this organization
by subscribing TO the bylaws. rules and
regulations thereof-no color-line to be
drawn.
81 That this organization will not
vote for any man or set of men who are
not it's friends"
Then follow the bylaws and rules,
which provide for president: nine vice
presidents Zone from each Congressional
district: a secretary and two assistants:
treasurer. and an executive committee
OF twenty-seven three from each Con-
gressional district and the other officers.
The executive committee is to be APP
pointed by the president. q
| ANY officer may be removed by the
executive committee. Provision is made