The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-01-07
Hon. J. FRANK WHEATON, g..
Representative, 42d Dist.
-
HoHmercan Repubcane Of the uwin Cities at beaufort
Cate, Minneapots ...>
Wednesday Evening, Jan. 4, 1900.
style of culinary art, was discussed.
When "segars' were lighted the toast
RENDERED TO

style of culinary art, was discussed.
When ''segars" were lighted the toast
master arose and said:
g. Gen tier, have met tonight for the
state, to do honor to an Afro-American, the
first one ever elected to- an Office by the
popular vote of the people of Minnesota.
na2 IT this w bh has b s to us through that
Anacostia, Frederick Douglas, once said, els
the. Ship, all else is the sea- goes without
saying; and. it is to show our recognition
and appreciation of what has been done by
this Grand Old Party for us, by the
election Of one of us, to the law-making body
of this great commonwealth. We have come
Republican victory, a victory over, not only
opposing political parties, but over a prejudice
stronger in many instances, than party prin-
ciples And, it is this latter fact, more than
any other. which has brought about this
feast of reason and flow Of SOUL" as a
fitting. testimonial to our brother who has
been honored and to those who made this
occasion possible =,
God Almighty, the divine maker and ruler
OF the world, expects and appreciates thank
f ruin 81 and grattude from us for all the
them, to presume, that the party whose most
faithful, patient and poorly rewarded allies
we are. tinctured. as all things human are,
with selfishness, will be pleased and gratifed
to have us thus show our appreciation of
what it has done for us. And, I assure you,
gentlemen, that tho honor which has fallen
this characteristic. and, may well say, his
toc occasion, for the event which has brought
US together must go down to posterity in
the history Of this state-is one of the most
highly appreciated honOrs I have ever re-
ceived. And for which allow me to offer my
warmest and sincerest thanks. There have
been many occasions during my life among
you when I wished that nature had supplied
me with Oratorical power to- express the
thoughts and feelings which surgedzz wildly
through my brain and heart, but, alas.
ir0n hnvo oc No II h0ry md ole
TOO full for uttera nc Howeyer if you
have lost anything by my lack Of the "gift
OF gab' on this OCCASION you will be amply
repaid by eloquence, reason and logic, which
will be poured out upon you by the gentle
men who are surrounding this festive board,
several of whom have on many occasions
their power of speech. And it is under
stood that all speeches are to have maxi
mum limit of ten minutes. I will set a good
example by stopping mine now, and in my
stead present to you .''' ,-
w. r. Morris, Esq, who will respond
to the toast, '"The Outrages Committed
Upon Afro-Americans and the Rem
edy." - ,,,. -
Mr.. Morris arose, and after a few
preliminary remarks said
Mr.. POSTMASTER and Gentlemen: The en-
ljghtened world has reached that point in its
progress where 1T unhesitatingy comedies
that all races are entitled to life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness: The fatherho GOD Of
insure this to all men. Nature dictates It,
civilized men believe it, Christianity teaches
it, good government demands 1t. In all times
in all ages the unlawful and cruelty 'depr1v-
ing human being Of life has been consid-
cred and is the most heinOus of all crimes.
It is not in the power Of man to infict great
er punishment than that Of taking life, yet
this dire punishment Is often restOrted to on
mere suspicion. From June. 1 to Dec. 81,
1885, not less than twelve Negroes were
lynehed in the South on the unproven charge
of having committed or attempted to commit
the crime Of rape. When, during the War of
the Rebellion, the Negro had the opportunity
to commit this dastardly crime and could
have done so without any fear whatsoever OF
punishment of any Kind. even his bitterest
enemies did not charge him with. in a single
attempting to do so, but now,
when he knows that it means almost instant
and painfully cruel death to be suspected Of
committing, this ofrense, yet the Southern
is SO anxious to be lynched, rtdd1ed With
bullets or burned at the stake, that he flies
in the face Of fate and PUSHES into certain
death by boldly committing this most tlend-
ish of all crimes. We know this not true.
but that the Southern white people, DESTROYS
Of covering up their own crimes, Of shielding
themselves from the charge Of murder and OF
branding their poor black victim as ffend
incarnate by charging him with this most
repulsive crime, and Of Offering excuse for
their unwarranted and unlawful taking Of