The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-06-17
ADDRESS TO The NATION
Adopted by the National Afro-Amer-
lean Council MT Washington, D..
c., Dec. 30, 1898.

In the present condition Of the race, which
/ Is abnOrmally disturbed in one section of the
other three, 1t is easy to reach the conclu-
sion that We cannot arrive at the desired ends
| wholly through any one method There are
things Which ta9aS Of Us who y
| other things which those of us who live in the
North can accomplish. We may take differ
ent methods to reach the same ends, but the
In the North the work of agitation, Of pre-
test and petition and of political conduct. is
essential to the cause. The Northern and
Western mind needs to be constantly agitatea
upon our grievances and accurately informed
as to their nature and extent. In the South
ment can best be determined and carried en-
by the wise men of us in the Southern states
who have done so much since the War OF the
Rebellion Ito pave the way for our future
life. We think that it Is important that this
view Of the matter should net be Ices sight of
for moment
We must be broad and liberal in our policy
and Interpretation or the intentions Of all
members of the race who have capacity and
probity, and who are working for the general
multiplicity of interests and local preju-
dices Of any sort, outgrowing from phenom-
email ethntc differentiation which must have
imperative broad celebration among 10 Of
wide difference OF opinion az to the best ways
and means to secure the best results In given
localities, which must determine the final
result for veal or woe.
So much OF a 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.
AS asfairs statement Of cur CONVICTIONS we
affirm it that there is no manhood or citizen
right guaranteed to us by the federal consti-
t:tion which we do not claim and denial of
which by state constitutions against which we
do not protest. 5000; 81
Passing from abstract statement Of senti-
sment to concrete statement OF fact We have
to congratulate ourselves that the race has
greMn strongsr ana 9rehgsr n
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 condition 81 Slavery; those who prophe-
sisd that
TO see us fill 200 colleges in the South with
anxious students and to supply =, 600 Scompe-
tent teachers in the public schools OF the
of education. passed Judgment;
while our ignorant ministry has been trans
formed into. one Of tine strongest aid. most
and the high professions Of law and medicine
and journalism have competent representa- 1
IL n
confidence Of their eiloWs, go
We af1rm It as a matter Of fact, which
cannot be refuted, that the AfrosAmerican
race. is stronger and better today than ever
before in its history; that 1t is more hopeful,
more moral, more religious, more Intelligent
that 1t has larger bank deposits, owns more
real and personal property, and lives in bet
Georgia. recently expressed It in the New
Hork Sun. no people have ever made greater
progress in q given length Of time. Where
twas confidently expected and predicted that
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