The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-18
PROTEST FROM BLACKS
OUTRAGES IN THE CAROLINAS DE-
NOUNCED BIZ NEGROES.
Reduction of Representatives i'm Com
gresa and the Electoral College
Demnnded-"Oh, for IL Lincoln"

NEW YORK, Nov. ia mass meeting
of colored men and women to protest
against the treatment of their race in some
of the Southern States recently was held
tonight in Cooper Union. AS a precaution-
ary measure the police were out in force, as
even in this city, in the Hell's Kitchen dis
trict, there has been a considerable amount
of anti-negro sentiment. This precaution,
However, was not at all necessary, as the
gathering, although enthusiastic at times,
was a very peaceable one. The hall was
crowded with colored people, with a sprink-
ling of whites. A number of prominent
white citizens, however, sent letters COM
mending the object of the meeting. During
tedious wait for the speakers white man
with long, flowing hair arose in his seat
in the center aisle and shouted: ooh, if we
only had William Lloyd Garrison, a Wen
dell Phillips. or an Abraham Lincoln at
this time!" This evoked tremendous ap-
plause. T. Thomas Fortune appeared on
the stage few moments later and took the
presiding officers chair. Mr.. Fortune, in
lengthy address, told of the race troubles
in the South. Ebenezer d. Bassett, former
minister to Haiti, also spoke.
Resolutions, with a lengthy preamble,
were adopted. They protest against the
'rioting and revolution which have dis
graced the States Of North Carolina and
South Carolina, and which has been con-
trary to the letter and spirit of our insti-
tutions, and calculated to subvert the guar
anteed rights of citizens and to damage the
good name, reputation and credit of the Re-
public at home and abroad We feel that
the governors of North and South Carolina
are censurable for their failures to sup
press the said rioting and revolution within
their States and for their failure to invoke
the aid of the federal authority if they were
unable or unwilling to cope with the condi-
ton of affairs
Continuing, the resolutions say: 1--WE de-
plore as un-American and provocative of
endless friction and contention the antagon-
ism to race and color which alone appear
TO have caused the rioting and revolution in
North and South Carolina, and we insist on
it that the just rights of all citizens under
the Constitution shall be respected as the
only safeguard against lawlessnesS and as
the only guarantee of orderly government,
and we appeal to the conservative law
abiding Christians of the Republic to assist
in the creation of a public opinion which
shall compel those in authority to enforce
the law and 10 secure to each citizen ade-
Quate protection in his life and property in
the exercise of his manhood and citizens
rights under the Constitution. AS the States
of Mississippi, South Carolina and Louisiana
have, by constitutional enactment, disfran-
chised more than half OF their population,
we demand that the basis of representation
Of these State in Cnogress and Electoral
College be reduced in the proportion which
the number OF such male citizens shall bear
to the number OF male citizens twenty-one
years of age as may be directed by Article IA
of the federal Constitution. We recommend
such amendment to the Constitution as will
enable the President TO use the federal au-
thority to protect the life and property Of
citizens of the United States from organized
mob conspiracy whenever the Governor of
any State, from fear or collusion fears to
afford such protection 10 call upon the
federal government to AFFORD it,"