The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1899-01-28
ADDRESS TO The NATION
Adopted by the National .Afro-Amer-
lean Council at Washington, d.
d. c., Dec. 80, .1s9s. ,...,.

In the present condition OF the race, which
is .abnormally disturbed in one section of the
country and comparatively composed in the
other three, It is. easy to reach the conclu-
sion that We cannot arrive at the desired ends
wholly through any 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 wa1o live in the
North can accomplish. We may take differ
ent methods to reach the same ends, but the
results will be for the common advantage.
In the North the work of agitation, of pre-
test and petition and Of political conduct is
Western mind needs to be constantly agltated
| upon our grievances and accurately informed
as to their nature and extent. In the South
ment can best be determined and carried on
by the wise men Of us in the Southern states
who have done 50 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 it 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-
proper time for inevitable assmi 1ation, makes
imperative broad federation among us of
wide difference of opinion as ITO 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 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. 5., -, r-.,'.... . r.
As 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 protest. s.
Passing from abstract statement of senti-
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
tention here. Friends and foes alike admit
it. Those who predicted that we should starve
in a condition Of freedom have lived to see
in a condition of slavery; those who prophe-
sled that We were incapable Of mastering the
common r,sdiments of education have rived
anxious students and to supply $1,000 compe-
south: upon WHOSE competency White super
white our ignorant ministry has been trans
formed into one of the strongest and most
intelligent forces for good in the republic,
and journalism have competent representa-
ttves IN every considerable community in the
republic, which command the respect and
confidence Of their fellows.
cannot be refuted, that the Afro-American
race is stronger and better today than ever
more moral more religious, more intelligent;
chat it has larger bank deposits, owns more
real and personal property and lives in bet
ter bones AS exGSy b. Bullock Of
York Sum, no people have ever made greater
progress in a given length of time. Where
| it was confidently expected and predicted that
In a condition Of freedom. we have proved
| ourselves self-sustaining race, producing
more cotton and corn and other wealth as
free I'm, to the enrichment gent Of the commerce
dreamed of in the philosophy Of the slave
master: We appeal to the statistics of cot
ton and cereal and mfneTaI production before
We have not produced all the wealth Of the
South since the war-we have produced our
honest share. produced vastly more as free
man than we produced as a slave-and in
come self -sustaining and reliant citizens, who
share In the wealth we have produced and
rejoice in It and in the strength the expansion
and the glory Of the republic. Of which we
Gently affirmed, among the first families and
in whose past achievement and present glory
IN war and In peace, we claim. by right Of
honest labor and sacrifice and Devotion q CO.
{ equal share and participation.
It seems to us strange and unnatural that
we should have to turn from the magnificent
I record we have made as slaves and freemen
in peace and II war, to specific grievances
which go at the very roots Of our citizenship
and to appeal from the Injustice and inhil-
Justice deGT
! ity inherent in the heart and the soul Of the
great American people. But we have to- do
60. We do u with confidence born Of
Christian faith and $50 years Of education in
American law and precedent that we shall
not appeal In vain I. We have lived In darker
hours than those Of today; We have seen