The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-29

leaders who are advising the negroes to
voluntarily eschew politics in Difference to
have them all NEEDLE with politics. and
such has never been the case. but since
politics Is a legitimate. profitable. and. IN
some respects, honorable business. why
should not the black brother. who is be-
ginning to pay taxes. have a share in the
offices and emoluments?
THE negro is not 20 be eliminated be-
cause he is not as intelligent as salme other
people in this country. not because ne is
not a taxpayer, not because he Is not i'm
proving in his morals. but because he is
fore. despised. The alien races OF the world
may come here. who are unacquainted with
our institutions. and more ignorant than
the negroes. and ere they become enlight-
ened are allowed TO vote. And why? Be
cause their skin IS white. But the loyal
negro. who has helped TO make the coun-
try what IL Is, and fought In every war 20
save IL. must be DISTINGUISHED because
somebody does not like him This is not
only unjust and unchristian. but 1t is base
ingratitude. $50
Some of US have signihed to the Demo-
cratic party our willingness 10 unite with
II wherever and whenever IL will make IL
advantageous to our cause to do so. Since
we have taken the initiative II is for II to
say whether IL desires our votes by a con-
sideration in the way of just legislation
and kind treatment. Until this Is done. /
DO not see how We can consistently help il
into national p~ower-and 1 for one will not
do So"
FoRCEFUL AND ELOQUENT STYLE.
Bishop Walters has an eloquent and
forcefGl style of delivery, and his lofty
and patriotic sentiments provoked fire.
ouent and enthusiastic applause from mis-
hearers. His appeal to the colored people
to put money into some institution which
will be of benefit TO them was the signal
for the first outbreak of applause. When
he fixed hfS nolfftro1 pooffsnn hv caxtn0
fearlessly. Unless the Democrats assure
us of kind treatment and fair legislation.
L do not see how we can assist them TO
national power, and / for one canno see
my way clear TO do So" the applause
was deafening, showing plainly that those
holding the sentiments OF the speaker were
greatly in the majority.
Immediately after the bishop ceased read
ing his address. ex-senator Alain. OF
Georgia, offered and began TO read a reso-
luton, which he desired TO be presented
TO the council, but was stopped by the
chair citing the rule requiring all resolu-
tons TO be submitted without reading TO
the committee on address and resolutions.
The resolution was submitted TO the COM
mIttee. 1t was worded as follows:
the Constitution of the United States pro-
vides that when the right to vote is de-
MED or abridged the proportion OF repre-
sentation in Congress be reduced. and
Whereas. In North Carolina and other
Southern States steps have been taken TO
deny or abridge the right OF the negro TO
vote;
BE it Resolved. That the members OF
Congress are urgently requested TO pre-
pare and introduce a bill reducing the
representation in Congress of the of,end-
ing States"
After a motion was introduced. thanking
Chairman Walters for his splendid ad-
dress, Col James Lewis, surveyor OF the
port at New Orleans. arose TO call atten-
ton to the portion Of Bishop walters's ad-
dress in which he referred to the reports OF
Prof. Warner and w. Bourke Cochran on
the condition of the colored people of the
South. Prof. Warner never visited a
single colored educational institution i'm
New Orleans declared Col. Lewis, and
the same is true of Mr.. Cochran They
served the purpose for which the people
of the South sent for them. however, Col.
Lewis was about TO continue his remarks
when he was interrupted by several dele
gates rising to points of order, claiming
that he had no right to impede the progress
of a motion to tender the president a vote
of thanks. A terrific confusion ensued.
in which points of order were hurled at
the head of the chairman like a volley Of
musketry. I. Thomas Fortune, editor OF
the New York Age, a man who Is noted for
his vigorous style of speech, insisted upon
the delegates allowing Col. Lewis to pro-
coed. DIR. Newton, pastor of Bethel A. NJ.
E. Church. of this city, supported Mr..
Fortune, as did several others whose names
could not be learned. Order was finally
brought of the chaos which existed by the
chair announcing that the speech would
doubtless be brought up for discussion
later in the session.
Mrs. Ida Wells Barnett read the report
of the committee on credentials which
showed over seventy accredited delegates
amended so as to include later arrivals.
which swelled the list to something like
100.
The next order of business was the selec-
fiOn of a C0mmiffQp on address and rpc0lII-
tons. The chair asked permission to make
this ommitte non-partisan, or, in other
words, in States represented by both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans, to select one repre-
sentative OF each party TO represent that
State on the committee. This suggestion
brought forth another storm OF protest.
70 Bishop Walters: "You don't mean TO
say that there are colored Democrats In
this body, do your The chair replied. II
do" Colonel Lewis shook his head dis
gustedly and said he would like TO see one.
Mr.. Lawson got up and declared that the
council was absolutely n~on-partisan.
know no Republicans, no Democrats. but
we simply know that we are colored men
standing up for our rights" he said. Mr..
Lawson's statement was Endorsed by j.
Milton Turner, ex-minister TO Liberia. Mr..
Turner said that the object of the council
was TO provide means for the amelioration
of the condition OF the colored race. But
said he. 'ff there is anything else TO be
done here. all j have 10 say is that ] am
away from home and present here" This
raised quite a laugh.
Colonel Lewis moved that the roll as
made up by the on credentials
be accepted as the roll of the council. which
motion was carried upon the understand
ing that the list was TO include all accred-
tied delegates. even though they arrived
later in the sessions.
Octavius V. Royal, a prominent young
colored attorney of this city, sprung a sem
sation that threatened to he of considera-
bic proportions. Dy demanding to hear read
the names OF the members of the delegation
from Chicago. which he declared 10 be rep
resentatives OF a Democratic club. The
time not being ripe for the injection ot
was assured that he was mistaken, and the
incident closed temporarily. On motion of
ex-senator Alain Roberts's rules of order
were adopted as the rules by which the
council would De governed.
COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.
The chair then began to announce the
names of members of the most important
committee selected by the council-the COM
mittee on address and resolutions. He was
requested TO make several changes. which.
upon proper showing being made, he ac-
ceded to. The list as finally determined Is
as follows: 7. Thomas Fortune. New York:
Judson w. Lyons. Georgia; Gurley Brewer.
Indiana; w. A. Pledger. Georgia: +. l..
| Barnett, Illinois: II. T. Healing. Texas; J.
j. Blackshear, Indiana: +. L. McGhee,
Minnesota; George III. Jackson. Ohio; w.
A. C~rosthwait. Tennessee; p. J.. Smith, jr.