The Washington bee., 1899-05-20
NEGRO PROTECTIVE ASSOCIA-
TON.
STILL ACTIVE FOR ADVANCEMENT AM
PROTECTION

STILL ACTIVE FOR ADVANCEMENT AND
PROTECTION.
DR.. N. Johnson, informs us that
efforts are not to be abandoned under
the auspices of the Negro National
Protective Association, of which ex-
Congressman Murray is president,
but that work will be continued with
increased vigor in both local and
national organizations. He says that
it is in no sense in opposition to the
Afro-American Council but represents
a more conservative plan which
though vigorous. proceeds on the
theory that the negro will not fight
his battles, by flight, but will maintain
his stay In this country just where he
IS. In does not favor emigration
North or West or to Africa. II doesnot
teach that salvation lies in sticking to
the republican party nor in joining the
democratic party nor in staying away
from the polls. 1t does not teach that
negroes, like white men, must vote or
mol vote with defnate object In view
looking to their own interests accord
ing to circumstances. Ii does
teach that we need money and homes
and a larger diversity Of business,
professional and industrial pursuits.
1t also teaches that we must, if posi-
BILE, Withdraw ourselves as conven-
ience for others, d target or bone of
contention. 1t contends that all classes
of American white people owe us
assistance to the end that our freedom,
liberty and pursuit of happiness may
be as large as other peoples. This
organization &C as censor over no
negro, in matters of religion or poll
tics Mr.. Murray while one of our
very bravest representatives, is one
the most discreet, always positive and
decided, yet, never loses his temper
nor invites opposition to himself or
his race. He believes our onward
march must be accomplished through
local movements. such as local sur
roundingS warrant. He is not pre-
pairing South Carolina negroes for
Africa or the North, he is preparing
them to stay in South Carolina and
be men as he is a central figure in
home-buying movements on large
scale Very soon he will present
some valuable practical plans to the
national organization to be urged all
along the line. Mr.. Murray regrets
rapes, lynchings and other evils grow
ing out of the social conditions in the
South, but believes the best informed
people of both race can and will over
come these evils: that each should be
yIyillinn the
they are needed, one of which is bad
whisky and another is lewdness which
the laws of most southern states toler-
ate and encourage. Col Perry II.
Carson is president of the national
organization during Mr., Murray's alb
sence from Washington, he being vice
president. w. Calvin Chase is presi-
dent of the District branch ever since
John NJ. Langston's death and Thos.
l.. Jones is secretary of the District
branch. J. w. Cromwell IS national
corresponding secretary, J. N. John
son, financial secretary and organizer;
w. b. Johnson, !. /. Loving, II. l..
Davis and others executive committee.
E. NJ. Hewlett, {. !. Jones, d. A.
Straper, F. Peyton, J. Nj. Vance and
OliCIo NOullSCl' HSiC 10 DOllllllS III
Our plans that any good American
citizen should object. to. When We
have to ointo the courts for our rights
we expect to win, for we are right
Referring to the above the BEE
would say there is need of a great
work along many lines rignt here in
Washington and that quite soon, a
series of meetings will be held all over
the District, to urge practical plans to
improve the condition of all classes.
he special help from the churches
and schools are expected The BEE
will from time TO time give notice of
the work In hand both by local and
national branches. Reform is needed
Ill our trial courts especially the petty
ones where the judges, have an excess
OF power over untortunateS mostly
negroes who are brought before them
by the policemen nearly al! of wnom
are white men, many of them resent
additions TO our citizen ship. A major
lty of offenses are tried by the judges
without jury. They believe the
officers and in most of the cases they
are put through without witnesses and
without counsel. Ii should not be
strange that our jailS and workhouses
are kept full, that our wretched classes
are becoming Indifferent and that the
prayer goes up for an increase in the
police force.
The Negro Protective Association
willfind plenty for its d. c. branches
to do right here. Making speeches
and nothing else has been the order.
Lets do something We cry aloud
against wrongs to the race in the far
South, but are Indifferent about those
in this immediate vicinity and in Mary
land, Virginia and the District of Co.
lumbla, where we have plenty of smart
negroes who are abs olutely indiffer.
ent about the fate and tendencies of
the great mass of unfortunates in the
race. We expect soon to ask for an
conference of colored men
OF this vicinity to set about doing inn
what we can do and we
care not whether they are members
OF any organization or not, red tape is