The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-01-21
ADDRESS TO THE NATION
Adopted by the National Afro-Amer-
lean Council Mt Washington, ID.
+ c., Dec. 30, 3lS0S. sss z-.s =. ! ID.

. In the present condition of the race, which,
is abnormally disturbed in one section of the
other three, it is easy to reach the conclu-
sion that we cannot arrive at the desired ends
wholly through any one method. There are
in the South can accomplish, and certain
other things which those of us who live in the
North can accomplish. We may take differ
results viii be for the common advsn.ta tax se TIC
In the North the work of agitation, of pre-
test and petition and of political conduct, is
Western mind needs to- be constantly agitate6
upon our grievances and accurately INFORMED
as to their nature and extent In the South
the work of education and internal develop
ment can best be determined and carried on
by the wise men of us in the Southern states
who have done 80 much since the War of the
Rebellion to pave the way for our future
status as men and citizens in all the walks Of
life We think that it is important that this
view of the matter should not be lost sight of
for moment. I. e. - - -
We must be broad and liberal in our policy
and Interpretation of the intentions of all
members of the race who have capacity and
probity, and who are working for the general
good. The vast extent of our country and the
multiplicity Of interests and the local preju-
dices of any Sort, OutgroWing from phenom-
email ethnic differentiations, which must have
proper time for inevitable assimilation, makes
imperative broad liberation among us of
wide difference Of opinion as ITO the best ways
and means to secure the best results in given
localities, which must determine the final
result for veal or woe. -. = y. d
So much of general character may be ac-
cepted without sacrificing one principle Of
manhood or citizen right, for that would be
repugnant to our sense OF absolute Justice,
to which we adhere without deviation or
bubble. .@.....- III @s.y.. -.
AS fair statement of cur convictions we
affirm it that there is no manhood or Citizen
right guaranteed to us by the federal consti-
tition which we do not claim and denial of
which by state constitutions against which we
do mot protest. f,}t - =" a.t .
Passing from abstract statement of senti-
ment to concrete statement of fact. We have
to congratulate ourselves that the race has
everywhere grown stronger and stronger in
thrift and of intelligence. There is no con-
tention here. Friends and foes alike admit
it.. Those who predicted that we Should starve
IN dMne n Sa and Consume mere % than
in ccGdition OF slavery; those who prophe-
sled that We were incapable of mastering the
common rudim aed Of education lea 10 have lived
anxious students and to supply $4,000 compe-
tent teachers in the public schools of the
South. upon whose competency white super
while our ignorant ministry has been trans
formed into one of the strongest and most
Intelligent forces for GOOD in the, republic,
and journalism have competent representa-
ttves In every considerable community in the
republic, which command the respect and
. E
We affirm it as a matter Of fact which.
cannot be- refuted, that the Afro American
race is stronger and better today bhan ever
more moral, more religious more Intelligent;
that it has larger bank deposits, owns more
real and personal property, and lives in bet
Georgia recently EXPRESSED It in nu the New "
York Sum, no people have ever made greater
progress in a given length OF time. Where
it was confidently expected and predicted that
in condition Of freedom, we have proved
ourselves self-sustaining race. producing
freemen to- the enrichment of the commerce
Of the states of the South than, was ever
dreamed Of in the philosophy of the slave
ton and cereal and mineral Production d bef eet
and since the war to sustain our contention.
We have not produced all the wealth of the
honest share. produced vastly more as a free e.
man than we produced as a slaye-aEd, in
stead Of becoming public charges have be-
come self sustaining and reliant citizens, who
share in the wealth we have produced and
rejoice in 1t and in the strength the expansion
and the glory of the republic, of which we
are, as DR.. David Gregg. of Brooklyn, re-
in whose past achievement and present glory
In war and in peace, we claim, by right Of
honest labor and sacriicesand devotion. q Coz
n II seems to us strange and unnatural that
we should have to turn from the magnificent
record we have made as slaves and freemen,
in peace and in war, to specific grievances
which go at the very roots OF our citizenship.
and to appeal from the injustice and inhnl.
mainly Of a portion OF our fellow citizens to
the justice and fairness and Christian char
ity inherent in the heart and the soul Of the
great American people. But we have to do
So We do it with q confidence born Of
Christian faith and $50 years of education in
American law and precedent that We shall
not appeal in vain. We have lived in darker
hours than those OF today; we have seen