Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-10-19
G0I0RED VOTERS AROUSED
brand Rally For Mckinley In
New York City.
Eloquent Protests Against Dssfran-
chiscnient by Rev. DR.. Ernest Lyon
and 0thcrs--Great Enthusiasm.

A mass meeting was held in Cooper
Union, New York city. OH the evening
of Oct. at the call of the Colored
Citizens League Of New York "to pro.
test against the wholesale disfrancilise-
ment Of the colored citizens of tho
south and to warn the nation Of the
impending peril" Fully $500 were
present, including many ladies and
gentlemen of the white race as we'll as
the colored.
The Rev. Ernest Lyon, as chairman,
introduced State Senator Nathaniel A.
Elsberg as the first speaker. Senator
Elsberg said he did not believe in con-
ferring on any single race a monopoly
Of virtue, intelligence and courage. An
equal chance for all was the only
thing asked for by the negroes, and
all the negroes Of the south wanted
was the chance to establish their in
nocencc when they We're innocently ac-
cused before jury Of their peers.
"And how arc you to get that right?"
asked Senator Elsberg significantly
"By supporting the Democratic par
ty?"
mo, no, nor shouted his listeners.
The chairman, as IL impelled by some
magnetic influence, sprang to his feet
and took up, with quiverinS voice, the
opening line Of John Browns Body"
In a second the whole audience was on
foot, singing the old tune as only ne
groes can sing it.
"This is more than political meet
ing" said Bishop William 3. Derrick
Of the African Methodist Episcopal
church, who appeared next on the plat
form. "rhcy have taken away our
overlooking, now they are after our
underwear. Men who cannot pronounce
the word America are ungrudgingly
given the right to vote, but it is to be
taken away from those who have
worked and fought and suffered to
make this country what it is today.
"It is a trying period,' the bishop
went on. "The trinity constituted Of
the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments is to be violated. Roscind
one of these amendments and they arc
all gone. If it is done in Louisiana, it
may be done in New York. If the bal
lot is taken away from you, slavery
may also be re-enacted and without
any asking Of consent from you. I call
on you black men to wake up. Where
is there better place to start the ball
rolling than in our Cooper Union? Spir-
its Of negro soldiers who fought to
build up and set free this country,
call on you. Speak tonight-speak,
speak, speak, SO that these, your de-
scendants, may hear you and wake up!
"When Stone Of Missouri comes
here" the bishop resumed, "and dares
to tell IN intelligent negro audience
that the Democratic party of today is
the party Of Lincoln, he is in danger Of
being put in an insane asylum. Lin
coins party is still the Republican par
ty. The men are new, but the princi-
pies and the aims are the same. call
on you black men, on you brown men,
OH you almost white mentor our race
includes all colors, and it Is not our
fault either-contend for your rights.
Stand up for order and freedom and
for the flag which is now our flag wher-
ever it may float. Vote for Mckinley
and Roosevelt"
Ex-Lieutenant Governor p. B. S.
Pinchback of Louisiana said that ev-
cry city where negro riots had occurred
was under Democratic rule. Every
legislature that had passed q "Jim
Grow" law was Democratic. Every gov
ernor who had signed such law was
a Democrat. Gin the name Of common
sense" he concluded, II then ask how
can any sane negro vote to put the
Democratic party in power?"