The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-02

FOuSht BraVely in the Spanish
American War-Cau for Meeting
to Organize Branch of the Ma
tiOnaI AfrO-American Council.
interest has been aroused amCng local
colored citizens regarding the organfza-
ton of branch Of the Afro-American
Council. The subject has been generally
discussed in an informal way and the
general opinion seems to favor the plan.
With an idea of getting formal ex-
preston upon the subject a meeting has
been called to be held at the Maceo club,
40 East Third street, for Friday Aug.
4, at o'clock p. m. Frederick l. Nc
Ghee, member of the executive board
Of the National Afro-American Council.
has issued the call. In connection with
the call Mr.. McGhee has sent the follow
ing communication to some fifty prom
inent colored citizens:
On this, the day throughout the coun-
try that will be celebrated, by the negro
as emancipation day, one can but be very
Solemnly impressed concerning the pc
culiar status the race occupies towards
the country, and towards the citizens of
the country. Despite the lapse OF years
since his emancipation, despite his ac-
knowledged loyalty to every interest and
cause Of the nation; despite his earnest
and state, and Notwithstanding his ac-
QUESTION of a vast amount of property
and the rapid strides he has made in ed
ucatton, he finds himself still made to
feel the blighting effects that slavery
imposed upon him.
At this late day, those who gave to
him the ballot, and for whose benefit he
has ever used it when and where he
could, are now strongly urging that it
should not have been given him, and that
right and the good of the country de-
mand that his right to a vote be re-
stricted; the restriction, of course, to APP
ply to the poor and ignorant white man
in the same measure as to him, but by
hook or crook the white man is to be ex-
empt from the effects of this restriction.
True, the negro's right to a vote has
cost him and the country much, mucn in
blood, much loss of helpful friendship,
and much good will result from the re-
striction; but this winking at his dis
franchisement by those who have reaped
the benefit Of the error 90 but gives
added injury and imposes additional bur
denS upon the negro.
After heroic records in all the wars of
the country, and with etn enviable stand
ing in the regular army for distinguished
and recognized bravery in the Spanish
American war, nine men were found
whose bravery and daring services were
such that no prejudice, no custom and no
lOng-e established precedent could bar them
from being made commissioned officers in
the army of the nation. That other negros
had long prior thereto earned and well
mertted such recognition no one doubts
but alas, though the country stands in
sore need of sufficient officers and men
to fill the ten new regiments, not one of
these nine men are considered worthy by
the national administration to be COM
miSSioned officers IN the regular army.
The volunteer regiments to which they
were assigned having been mustered out,
they are given the choice of returning
as privates to the companies in which
they won their shoulder straps or being
mustered out. And this is not all. The
officers now recruiting for the new regi-
ments are instructed to enlist "only able