The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-02-04
ADDRESS. TO THE NATION
Adopted by the National Afro-Amer-
lean Council at Washington, d.
= c., Dec. 80, 1898. !

. I Z ~ -- : 81
In the present cSndition OF the race, wh.ct
is abnormally disturbed in one section of the
country and comparatively composed in tht
other 81, three. # T. easy TO reach the conclu-
wholly through sa4y one method. There are
certain things which those of us who live
IN the South can accomplish, and certain
Other things which, those Of us who live in the
North can accomplish. We may take differ.
ent methods to reich the same ends, but the
results will be for the common advantage.
Y the North the work OF agitation, tot pre-
essential TO the pause. The Northern and
Western mind needs to be constantly agitated
upon our grievances and accurately informed
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 so 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 1t is important that this
view Of the matter should not be lost sight OF
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 to the best ways
and means to secure the best results in given
localities, which must determine the final
result for veal or woe. fst.:s-t5 >.@&, '~,~
So much of general character may be ac-
cepted without sacrificing one principle of
Repayment to our sense of absolute justice,
bubble. HILL
As a fair statement of our 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 not protect. 80. ss-.:t}s z. 81. -
Passing from abstract statement of sentf-
ment to concrete statement Of fact, we have
to congratulate ourselves that the race has
everywhere grown stronger and stronger in
all the elements Of Christian morality, Of
thrift and of intelligence. There IS NO con-
tention here. Friends and foes alike admit
It, Those who predicted that we should starve
us produce more and consume more than
IN a condition OF slavery; those who prophe
sled that we were incapa}ble Of mastering the
IS as n. Ga m e soTn W
anxious students and to supply 25, 900 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 the high professions of law and medicine;
and Journalism haye, competent representa-
ttves ii every considerable community in the
republic, which command 1.-THE respect and
confidence of their fellows. IS ~: M,
We affirm itbas a matter OF fact, which
cannot be lrefuted that the Afro American
race is stronger and better today than ever
before In its history that It is more hopeful
that it has larger bank deposits owns more
real and personal property. and lives in bet
ter homes. AgHex-Gov. r. B. Bullock Of
York Sum. no people have ever made greater
progress in a given length of time. Where
y was confidently expected and predicted that
We aPnoea sye
ourselves self-sustaining race, producing
more cotton and corn and other wealth as
# the states Il the South q th 1ae
1reamed Of In the philosophy of the slave
master We appeal to the statistics of cot
on and cereal and mineral production before
ind since the war to sustain our contention
We have not produced all the wealth Of the
south since the war-we have produced our
1onest share. produced vastly more as a free
nan than we produced as a slaye-ann in
stead OF becoming public charges have be-
,ome self sustaining and reliant citizens. who
snare m the wealth we have produced and
md the glory of the republic Of which We
are as DR.. David Gregg of BrookIyn re-
Gently affirmed, among the first families and
W War an Past achievement and present glory
lonest labor and sacrifice and devotion. o CO.
EQUAL share and participation . -
y seems 10 US strange and unnatural that
.ecoT we have made as slaves and freemer.
= peace and I'M war. to specific grievances
winch go at theSyery roots Of bur citizenshin.
md to appeal from the injustice and fnhu
nanity OF q portion Of our fellow citizens to
ne justice and fairness and Christian char.
" inherent in the heart and the soul Of the
great American people. But we have tn do
% We do II with q confidence born Of
Christian faith and $50 years Of education IN
~ American law and precedent that Ne shall
y. aPpeal ~ vain. We have lived in darker