The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-26
QUESTION OF PREJUDICE
SOME AFRO-ANIERICAy SPEAKERS
CONTENDED 1T Is WANING.
State Convention I'm session-A Lively
Difference OF Opinion.
Arises.

About fifty of the more prominent colored
citizens of Indiana gathered in the city yes
terday as the Convention of Representa-
tive Afro-Amercans of Indiana" The con-
vention is the result OF a movement started
several weeks ago by Rev. W. II. Anderson,
Of Evansville. call signed by forty-six
prominent colored men of the State was
sent out, asking those interested in the col
ored race and the improvement Of their con-
dition to assemble here for consideration OF
questions relative thereto. There was no
prior organization and the meeting at the
Second Baptist Church was called 10 order
by Rev. John J. Blackshear, of this city.
After the singing OF America and an in
vocation by Rev. George Sissel, OF Indian
apolis, Rev. Z. l.. Gillian, OF this city, was
selected as temporary chairman, with Cur
ley Brewer as temporary secretary. Mr..
Gillian spoke for few minutes on the con-
dition of the colored race, referring TO the
conditions prevailing in the South for the
last thirty years, and their probable con-
dition in future. He outlined the objects of
the movement which had brought about the
convention here ard expressed a hope that
the colored people would seriously consider
the question and help worK out their own
salvation.
REV. v IL. jenkins, or Rome, ia, 1ol-
lowed with short talk upon the conditions
in his State. He said that contradictory to
the prevailing idea, the Atlanta Constitution
was not the Georgia Bible and the South
western Christian Advocate should be read
in order TO learn the truth. He said the
white and colored people Of Georgia were
coming closer together and that Georgia
could boast of colored men and women with
as clear heads and clean lives as any State
In the Union. Other short talks were given
h.
lie school, ST Louis, Mo-, and DR.. Hay
good, of Covington, KY >
The appointment of committees and the
permanent organization took up the rest of
the time until o'clock Rev w. II. An
derson, OF Evansville. was selected as per-
Bloomington, vice chairman. Gurley Brewer
was continued as secretary. How may we
improve the moral condition of our peo-
pie? and Race prejudice is decreasing in
the United States" were the subjects up for
discussion. Papers were to have been read
Evansville. and p. +. Hamilton, of Lost
Creek. Neither of them were in attendance
speakers were limited to five minutes, and
though many suggestions were made, the
organization was not so perfected that
much but the individual expression of opin-
ion resulted.
LIVELY NIGHT DEBATE.
The evening session, at which the sub
1ect of race prejudice was continued, be-
came rather exciting at times. p. f. Ham
ilton, of Lost Creek, opened with the paper
which was to have been given in the after
noon. He cited many ways in which the
colored people of to-day were given liber-
ties and privileges which they did not have
in years past, and predicted that the future
would have still more for the race IL they
would help themselves as best they could.
Brewer, of this city, who contended that
the race prejudice question was no so inn
portant as the education and preparation
OF the colored people for lifes work along
with their white brethren.
Rev. d. A. Graham, OF this city, followed
and said that he wished he might. believe
said. but he could not He insisted that the
prejudice was increasing, and referred TO
the lynching of Sam Hose in Georgia, the
Jim Crow" car law in the South, which
prohibits tho blacks from riding in coaches
with the whites, and to the treatment ac-
corded colored people when applying at the
hotels and restaurants for accommodations.
He said that such things were not in vogue
twenty and thirty years ago and the in
auguration of such practices and restric-
tons indicated that the prejudice was on
the increase
story Of how he and his SON had been
treated by the whites in connection with
the public schools. He had attended col
lege and his SON, after graduating from
the colored school, had gone through the
high school and State University, during
which time he was encouraged and given
every assistance by those in charge. He
said that thirty years ago the negroes would
not have dared to appear in mass meeting,
such as the one being held, for the purpose
OF discussing their condition.
Rey. Mr.. Bradshear, who was the next
speaker. believed that the prejudice was
increasing in measure. He said he could
see wherein the negroes were, in certain
ways, better off than they have ever been
before. but the trend Of feeling. indicated
by the lynchings. the laws Merchandising
negroes in the South, the shutting OF the
doors OF all trades unions and the shops and
mental positions. showed the strength of
the prejudice. He said that the colored
women and girls should have the same
stenographers, clerks, etc, as the white
girls and that the reason for their not
being able TO secure such places, as we'll as
good positions. was because the whites
were afraid that they would grow rich too
fast, net having. any expensive social du-
ties as did the whites.
e L: Gillian. referring to the remarks of
| the other speakers, said that the increase
or decrease of prejudice depended upon
what part of the country was considered.
He referred particularly to the conditions
| In Indianapolis and Indiana, and said that
In all the new-fangled affairs as well as in
| TO apply. He said that 90 per cent. of the
people in this country believed that the
| the white man insisted on designating the
place. He thought that prejudice in most
tbs WaS IF VIM f IN as
SAYS PREJUDICE Is DECREASING.
II. F. Smith, of Rockport, was the most
enthusiastic speaker OF the evening He
| said that prejudice was decreasing. He
| cited many instances to show his position.
He thought the reason that the negroes
were not better off was because of their
| own neglect. He urged the colored people
| to open stores shops and factories to give
| their own children employment, as they
could not expect the whites TO employ col
ored help when their own children had to
be taken care of. He referred to the gen.
eral Incidence and disregard for improve
ment of social conditions among the ne
groes and thought that conditions would
improve should the people wake up and
| fit themselves for performing the duties
which they wished to take up.
| Lillian Thomas Fox. of this city, next had
| the floor. and proceeded TO attack Smith
| and his statements Her remarks were fire.
| quently interrupted with applause The
| discussion OF the negro problems will be
| continued to-day, opening with a paper by
| w. A. Sweeney, Of this city.
| A popularity about the meeting last night
| was that every speaker was applauded. and
/ those who claimed that race prejudice was
| increasing received the heartiest applause.
| r-nU-n nnurrE