The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-09-16
RESOLUTIONS.

RESOLUTIONS.
The Afro-American council in con-
vention assembled, recognizing the grave
crisis which this country has reached
and desiring, with all good citizens, the
highest welfare Of this our common
fatherland, recommends and indorses the
following resolutions:
Resolved, That it is the duty of the
United States government to see that the
life and property of it's citizens are not
taken from them without due process OF
law, and to this end we shall solemnly
demand such national and constitutional
legislation as shall at least secure as
great protection from mob violence to
American citizens as is today afforded
citizens of foreign countries resident
here. We affirm that the widespread
crime of lynching and .intimidating per-
sons accused Of lawbreaking, without at
fording them judge, jury or legal trial, is
an offense against civilization which de-
mands punishment, and we believe that
it lies in the power of congress to en-
act such repressive legislation as shall
prevent justice in America from becom-
ing byword and mockery.
Resolved, That we deeply deplore the
prevalence of crime in this land. AL
though we do not believe crime among us
is more usual than might justly be ex-
recognize the necessity of making it far
less frequent than it is, and we heartily
condemn the thief, the despoiler of
homes and the degrader of womanhood,
be he white or black, high or low.
Resolved, That the attitude of trades
unions and nearly all forms of organized
labor. toward Afro-American working
men is both shortsighted and cruel. The
divine right to work ought not to be
taken from people who have already
had so many rights stripped from them.
We recommend that committee be ap-
pointed to wait upon the labor leaders
and the National Industrial commission
and seek by every. effort to bring about
between white and Afro-American labor
ers that spirit Of fraternity and coop
Grafton which is to the best interests of
both. r. -.. ~. -g' =
Resolved, That we are heartily grieved
that the president of United States and
those in authority have not from time to
to time used their high station to voice
the best conscience of the nation in re-
gard to mob violence and the fair treat
ment of justly deserving men. It is not
right that American citizens should be
despoiled of life and liberty while the
nation looks silently on, or that soldiers
who, with conspicuous bravery. offer
their lives for the; country should have
their promotion result in practical dis
missal from the army.
Resolved, That we especially recon-
mend that Afro-Americans enter into
business life and seek to become fac
tors in the Industrial development of
America, and this council desires espe-
cially to extend to mechanics, merchants
and inventors all possible aid and en-
enlargement. -t
Resolved, That the determination of
some persons to base the right Of suf-
frage In the South on race rather than
on intelligence and property is dangerous
and un-American and bound to bear bit
ter fruit In the future, and we sincerely
trust that the good sense of the nation
and the wisdom of its officers of Justice
viii prevent the further progress of this
fatal plan. - ;.
Resolved, That since we and our
fathers and our fathers fathers were
born on American soil, have taught and
pied for American liberty and have toir-
ed. Tor American wealth, it is lust and
proper that we should enjoy the rights
and share the duties of American citi-
zens, and we declare it to be our un
alterable resolution to strive bv all
power and manly means to vindicate
our privileges and fulfill our duties right
mere IN the land Of our birth. @H =
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