The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-05
A COLORED LOVE FEAST
ANACosTIA CLUB OBSERVES M'KIN-
LEY's INAUGURAL ANNIVERSARY.
Resolutions Concerning the Maine
Disaster-CriminaI Court Room
neutrality-suspicious. and Candidates

ans at the Criminal Court room last night.
The love feast was arranged by the Ana
costa Club, which is named after the home
of Frederick Douglass, a picture of whom
hung above the speakers stand. The meet
ing was most successful. The courtroom
was crowded, and many were compelled to
fird standing room in the galleries. The
courtroom was decorated with flags quite
tastefully. An interesting feature of the
occasion was the rendition of appropriate
music by the large chorus of Allen Chapel
Church. A number of speeches were made,
resolutions denouncing Spanish treachery
in the Maine disaster and the numbering of
a colored postmaster were adopted, and
the entire meeting passed. off smoothly and
to the qualification of the committee of the
Anacostla Club which had arranged the
programme.
Isaac johnson, on behalf Of the Anacostia
Club, called the meeting to order. Rev.
Norris Lewis, presiding elder of the Vim
cennes Conference, made the invocation.
Mr.. Johnson made few introductory re-
marks, in which he said the club felt much
complmentsd to see so many respond to the
invitation to the love feast. I'VE did not
feel that the color line should be drawn,
any more than we felt there should be two
parties, said he, glancing at the large
number of white men occupying seats that
had been reserved for the vice presidents
of the meeting. Nearly all the Republican
candidates for the various offices that are
to be filled this year were present by invita-
ton of the club. Mr.. Johnson announced
that the first thing in order would be the
nomination of chairman for the meeting.
Mr. Lane nominated George l.. Knox, who
was unanimously elected. Mr.. Knox spoke
briefly, excusing himself from extended re-
marks, as he was quite hoarse from bad
cold.
81 think it eminently proper" said Mr..
Knox, that we should assemble to make
merry over the many good things the Re-
publican party has brought to the country
in the last year. 1t has brought happiness,
plenty and comfort to the millions. Our
President, in these trying times, is showing
himself man fit for the position to which
he has been chosen. Peace should be our
policy, as it is that of our great leader.
War means destruction of property, depre-
citation of money and shedding of blood. If
we can retain position of peace we shall
retain prosperity. Without going into the
past history of the Republican party, 1t is
sufficient to say that the party has never
asked to let bygones be bygones, to ask for
charitable forgiveness when it came to TAX
ing up it's record. / shall not undertake to
say what it has done for my race. You all
understand that. believe man should be
grateful to TIE party that mace ,s ci u nn
party, we can never pay the debt or gratl-
tude it has placed upon the African. When
1 was slave boy longed for my freedom
When / was made free longed TO be made
a man. The Republican party made me
man, and / rejoice with that party to-day
Under the Republican party the negro mas
come up from the rice swamps and walked
in the legislative halls of this country. MI.
Knox was frequently interrupted with APP
plause Although there was such earnest
ness and pathos in what he said the au-
dience evidenced its appreciation or the elo-
quent thoughts he uttered by intense 81
lence.
COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.
The next business was the appointment
of a committee on resolutions, consisting of
Wesley Bridges w. II. Gibson and James
Morton. When the committee retired to
draft resolutions Mr.. Knox introduced ]. A.
Simms, an earnest young colored Repub-
lean. who spoke on the topic: 1.-THE Late
City Campaign"
After the report of the resolutions COM
mittee and more music by the chorus Mr..
Knox introduced Joseph B. Healing, with
the information that he was a prospective
candidate for Congress from this district.
Mr. Healing expressed the pleasure it gave
him to meet with Republicans for the pur-
pose of renewing allegiance to the party
and preparing for the coming campaign.
The presence of so many loyal Repubncafls
indicated that they were ready for the bat
tie Of 1885, Continuing, Mr.. heallng salu III
part: -. 1900, .;,,,o
the calling chains of slavery We're stricken
from your limbs and you have shown your
loyalty and devotion ever since TO the party
10 M
advantages that you have had you nave
shown your right to the citizenship you now
possess. You have ORGANIZED o ana for aa tbe
benefit of your party and nave not nad 10
hold office to do it either. This demon
strates that your principles are grounded IN
your heart and not in your pocket. The re-
turn of prosperity and the confidence we
have in our chief magistrate demonstrates
to us that we made no mistake last year.
1t only remains now for us to buckle on
our armor and get ready to fight over again.
to a finish the same old fight ana II we
stand shoulder to shoulder will march
again to a final and decisive victory with
colors flying and unbroken front We are
Justly proud of the President or our couH-
fry. In the trying times before us he has
proved himself statesman. ] predict that
when the occasion comes he will prove NM MN.
self a soldier as brave and true as ne was
when he shouldered his musket III 1868 70
fight for you and the honor or ms country.
o n %e Gan depend on - it that he viii allow
TO stain to mar 1t, nor permit our nag 10
trail in the dust"
Isadore Blair. another eloquent young
colored Republican, discussed; "The I'M I'M
practicability of Negro Party" He mace
a very strong impression in declaring that
while all coored men must reserve to them
selves the right to select their own party,
for one he could only affiliate with the party
that had done so much for his race. When
he finished speaking there was long con-
tinued applause that seemed likely to con-
time indefinitely. You will see that have
made no Misrepresentation to you said
Mr. Knox when he could be heard. II you
stick together, if you have race pride ana
party pride and support one another there
Sits one who will be the black stone of
Indiana" Mr.. Blair is a lawyer and can
didate for Justice of the peace. Mr.. knoxS
pun renewed the demonstration.
John L. Griffiths was introduced as one
even when defeated and as the silver
tongued orator.
MIR. GRIFFITHS'S SPEECH.
''To-night, at least said Mr.. Griffiths, 81
am not a candidate and for that reason l
feel little lonely. Then must object to
being called a silver-tongued orator That
is not a good name to apply to a Repub-
ican 1t should be gold-tongued orator"
81 accept the amendment said Mr.. Knox
laughing.
At heard of man who was expected to
speak on a certain occasion who asked
friend what he should talk about. Talk
about a minute was the answer. That is
what 1 am going tc do tonight. 1t is g
privilege to speak to the colored Republic
ans of Marion county. You have always re-
manned loyal and earnest in advocating the
PRINCIPLES of the Republican party You