Evening star., 1898-11-22

i =
| express purpose of enabling him to protect
| his own interests and the interests of the
\ states and of the country, and since 1t Is
| the highest right which any American cit
! 1zen may enjoy, 1t becomes us quietly, WISE
| ly and in the fear of God. to exercise that
right. and to refrain from doing so only
" hen we must
| "Inasmuch as the colored people of Amer
| lea nave abundant assurance that God is
| for them having made the wrath of man
/ TO praise Him in the horrors of the middle
| passage. in the agonies of American slavery.
| in the awful conflicts of civil war. in the
! emancipation of millions in day, and hav-
| ing crowned the race with blessings In the
( gift of a citizenship and the elective fran
| Chise; in the planting of schools of learn
| ing, free and philanthropic, in all of the
/ old slave states;. in the honors which have
| come to colored men of talent and piety,
| who were once unfortunate slaves, it be-
! comes us to lay our complaints before God,
| and rejoice that. He being for us, no weap-
| on that man may lift shall ultima tely tri-
4 umph over us.
Appeal to Southern People.
| "As the present troubles may lead to seri-
| ous questions and political conflicts as to
| the south's representation in Congress, and
| also to the measure of power over state
| affairs which shall be centralized at Wash
! ington, and possibly to other ills which are
not now apparent, we appeal to the sober
second thought of the southern people
| themselves and to the dispassionate judg-
| ment of all Americans to deal justly by the
| negro, to accept his citizenship and permit
| him to support the souths best statesman
| ship regardless of political and race alli-
arces.
We appeal to the white ministry of the
country, and especially of the SOUTH to
! teach all men, white and black, they
I have opportunity. to respect the rights of
property, to value the sacredness of hu-
| man life and to punish crimes and political
misdemeanors according to legal and con-
stitutional provisions.
"As Christian citizens it becomes us to be
welded TO high and noble principles. not
The playthings of politicians and political
parties; to exalt to places of honor and trust
men who are honest, competent and just,
not thieves, adventurers and demagogues;
| to be patient and long-suffering under
wrong, not violent: to endure the ills and
woes which We are now experiencing in
| the spirit of Christ-Iike resignation, not in
! the spirit of revenge and bloodshed, for
vengeansa belongs TO God, and His judg-
ments sure.
we hereby request the followers of the
Lord Jesus in all lands to call upon God in
our behalf and in behalf of the several
states of the American Union. that peace,
justice and order may everywhere prevail,
and that God, in mercy, may take away the
spiritual blindness of our oppressors; may
forgive the iniquity of their doings. and out
of their ranks may summon TO the help Of
the negro friends and lifelong advocates OF
the stanchest type.
The second Series.
The second series of resolutions were
read by MIR. ". Calvin Chase. and were to
the effect that the fundamental principles
of our Constitution are based upon equality
before the law and the rights of citizenship
to all parties. irrespective of color or
previous condition of servitude we cannot,
as American citizens. understand why it is
that our Constitution is always an impede
mcnt. far its enforcement Is con-
Perppi when the rights of certain citizens
are involved.
THE executive of a former administra-
tiOn saw fit, without the consent of the
governor of Illinois. to send troops into
said state under the pretense of protecting
the United States mail. Why was not the
same methods resorted to in the states of
North Carolina and South Carolina. when
it ascertained that the governor of
neither of those states attempted to protect
certain citizens?
rs the Constitution of the United States
so elastic that 1t can be stretched to suit
the conditions and circumstances of men
and parties? Is this a government of, for
and by the people, or is 1t a government in
which certain class of people, irrespective
of law and order, is to rule regardless of
the masses?
We have abiding faith in the honesty
integrity and patriotism of President Nc
kinley. We believe he has made every ef-
fort to be the President of the entire peo-
pie, irrespective OF color, religious creed or
political faith.
Inc recent Sp2hlSh-Amefican war tuily
demonstrated the loyalty of the President
toward those who formerly took up arms to
destroy the Union, and notwithst tanding
their ingratitude toward the recently eman-
cipated, those who have ALWAYS been
found true and loyal on land or sea. The
natural conclusion is that the President
will be loyal to them also.
The recent overthrow of the local re-
publican government in the city of Will
mington. in the state of North Carolina
and the murder of inoffensive republicans
in South Carolina for the purpose of po-
| litical control of the government, was not
| citizens, but because of their political be-
| lief and adherence to the principles of the
republican party.
Color was not the cause, because per-
sons were named in both the negro and
| Caucasian races. As further evidence of
| our belief that it was not color, is the invi-
tation extended those who fled to the
| woods for safety to return to their former
places not connected with the government
| We, the citizens of the capital of the ma
/ ton, condemn the murder of innocent re-
publcans in North Carolina and South
Carolina and the overthrow of the local re-
| publican government in the city of Will
| mington, In the state of North Carolina.
THE President of the United States
whom We believe to be a loyal and patriotic
| citizen, and true friend of the oppressed
| is requested to recommend to Congress the
| immediate passage of a federal elections
bill for the protection of all classes of cit
izenS."
1t IS declared that "a committee of ff-
teen responsible citizens be appointed by
| the chair to present the wishes of this
meeting to the chief executive of the ma
tion.'
Thanks to The Star.
Mr.. Chase also read the following. which
was adopted amid great applause:
During the trouble existing in North
| Carolina the metropolitan journals of the
| country sent their correspondents to the
| scene of the excitement In that city for the
| purpose of making a correct and impartial
| statement of the condition of affairs as they
| existed there. Among the many journals
that sent representatives can be mentioned
| The Evening Star of Washington D. c.
whose representatives We're there from the
| commencement to the close of the excite
| ment, and We can testify to the strict and
| impartial statement made by the represen-
| tatives of The Evening Star. and we the
| people of the District of Columbia extend
| our heartfelt gratitude to The Star for its
| impartial and unprejudiced report of the
| condition Of affairs existing at Wilmington
! and Raleigh, n. c., during the excitement
| in that state, prior to the election of No
| vember Sth tustantand that we recommend
| to the cOlored people of the country The
| Evening Star of this city as a paper which
| for its impartial and fair dealings relating
| fn ho Of