The Twin-City American., 1899-05-18

entirely eliminated from theorganl-
zation. re, however, there should
arise any urgent necessity when
the League should feel called upon
to take action upon any measure
having a direct political bearing
upon Afro-Americans, the League
feels that such an emergency can
be best met by the circumstances
arising at that time. which of
course would furnish sufficient
ground to warrant whatever action
they may see fit to take; but at
present we do not cater to politics
or politicians in any sense. Aside
from politics we know no bounds,
we have no limits.
Since / have in brief way
treated somewhat of the League
and what we propose doing, which
will depend largely upon the co.
operation we receive from members
of our own race, deem it proper
and fitting at this junctnre to speak
If some of the difficulties with
which we have to contend, which
have naturally impeded our pro-
gress. Like all other organizations
of its character, we are often mis-
understood and misrepresented,
and itfrequently becomes necessary
to consider them. With some of
these we shall now deal and hope
for favorable results.
First-It is claimed that our adj
mission fee is excessive, which, by
the way, is only 80 cents. While
it is true that this is the amount
required as admission fee by our
Constitution, this of course is for
the purpose of providing means
to prosecute our work. Still the
League has ever stood ready to
meet the emergency of any case,
that is to say, if any person desires
to enroll with us and is unable to
pay the fixed fee, when such ina
bility is made known. such an one
will be admitted by the payment OF
almost any sum if it is only a
dime.
Secondly-It is commonly re-
ported that the League is a class
organization. In the light of this
let me say, we know no creed OF
color, we recognize no factions,
parties, organizations. political OF
otherwise, or societies. One s
social standing has no special
weight. We all stand on com
mon plane for common cause.
All are welcome and most heartily
received.
Thirdly-There is a class Of
people who, by reason Of their dis
appointments in connection with
similar organizations, have lost all
faith, both in the ability and integ-
rity of any of their race to accom-
plish anything very material along
the line of work we are now pursu-
ing. Certainly if any one of them
has been able to discern anything
of our work, it is that we are be-
coming more and more permanent
and substantial, having more than
doubled our membership and in
creased our treasury tenfold, and
yet barely a year old.
Fourthly-Is the totally indiffer-
ent class, whose only interest seems
csntered within themselves. This
elementary have its good qualities,
it certainly has its bad, for most
people of this class could, il they
would, be of incalculable service to
the league. and it is hoped that
the time is not far distant when an
interest will be stimulated amongst
them. Can it be possible that
people of intelligence and self-re-
pect have such little race interest
or pride as to be totally Indifferent
to such outrages as the Mississippi
disfranchisement, the South Caro-
lima mob, the Georgia horror, and
the conditions that exist in other
states equally as bad, all of which
vitally concerns everybody of Ne
gro identityf
As grave and as serious as appear
all of these great questions, which
threaten our liberty and purport to
DESTROY forever our rights of citi.