Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-12-30

and illinois and Asks for
National Legislation--Ban-
quet Close the Meeting.
The call convention Of the Afro
American State league, held in the
city Monday, was largely attended.
Delegates were present from nearly
every portion Of the state. It was the
largest convention Of the league ever
held. President Hyde at the morning
session gave an address Of welcome,
After which he appointed the following
ommittees: @l ,ss.. \.
Credentials E. I. Banks, Des Moines
W.. NJ. Stewart, Aarquisville; A. D.
Corbin, Davenport; Rev. 8. 8. Miller,
Keb. 4
Resolutions Joseph Hopkins, Ottnp-
w; Geo. n. Taylor, Oskaloosa; Japr
ia. HILL, Marquisyslle; W. H. Cot
5centerville; J. Thompson, tes
3Moiu,s; j. 4. WsshIn gton, Boone; ~.
y. Jsnss, MnchakinSek. ssss3
Rules IL govern convent ion {. p.
salaaa s,lsl n
ana d. Hunter 81 quisville
At the Afternoon 1ession u the con
yentipn the commit ee o. resolutii az
reported, The report was the 4 subj 81
" much discussion Tho committe
had condemned he outrage perpstrtt
"a nRon the Negroes III South CaroliRa
and spoke of the black record Of IN
inois in this regard for the past thirty
years. Many delegates protested
against Incorporating into the resolu.
ton anything regarding the state Of
Illinois, but suggested a compromise by
inserting instead Of the ''pass thirty
years.. the word recently, and in this
way refer to the occurrences at Spring
Valley. After . long debate the reso
lutions were adopted as follows:
preamble: Believing as we do in
peace and good government and tht
advancement of our race and the Gle
walton of humanity, we invoke tbs
blessing OF God and the gracious favor
OF law-abiding citizens in the future
promotion Of these ideas.
1--WE recognize that 1t is great priv
ilege to be an American citizen, bu
the sweetest satisfaction arise from thu
the enjoyment and full untramplet
| immunities of American citizenship
That is free speech, free press and tht
uninterrupted pursuit Of domestic hap
piness, l.. Z
whereas, The outrages, inhumal
and anarchistical treatment Of the Ne
gro race throughout the several south
ern states and in Illinois for the pas
thirt- gears has been unchecked by tn
laws which is against the Fundamentals
principles of our government; and,
Whereas, The recent unprovoket
| murder of helpless and defenseless men
women and children and the destrnc
ton of their property by methods whic1
set at defiance all laws and order bree'
a spirit Of anarchy which must inevi
tally destroy the very foundation Q
popular government; and
Where's, During the recent stat
and congressional elections in Missis
sippi, North and South Carolina bot
Negro and white were killed, murder
| ed and inundated for simply attempt
ing to exercise their constitutions
guaranteed and law given right Of SUI
GRACE; and, a5a
l..Whereas,t The unre buked federation
| of these grave crimes Of murder witt
their attendant barbarities are charac
teristic only Of savages, and these con
ditions demand immediate and vigorou
efforts on the part Of our government
to apprehend this lawless class AM
punish them; and,
Whereas, The fact that the propert!
OF both the Negro and his white friend
have been destroyed and they wer'
driven from employ ment, has cause,
the better class Of citizens Of the en-
tire country to denounce the outrage
as brutal and unbecoming to any gov
ernment, therefore, be it
Resolved, That we ask and urg
| the American congress that inasmucl
| is the states Of Mississippi. South Car
olina and Louisisna have by c0nstitu
tionals enactment: disfranchised NOR
than half Of their population, the ba z
AZ rapresentation OF these states In con