Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-09-01
AFRO AMERICAN COUNCIL.

INDIANAPoLIs, IND. Aug. % The
National Afro American Council met
here TO- day with. an attendance of 400
OF the representative colored men of
the United States. Bishop Walters.
presideDt or the organization, was in
the chair, and after addresses of well
come by Gov. Mount and Mayor Tag
Rsrt, he made his address, which was
the feature of the day. He said that
the eolored race was passing through
the most critical period in its history
that great wisdom was needed TO
guide its destinies. and that the race
must stand for its natural and consti.
tutioDal rights, not in y combative,
revengeful spirit, but in q manly,
courageous way.
PLEADED FOE RKcoosiToS.
He pleaded for q full recognition of
the privileges accorded to every white
citizen OF the UBited States, denounc-
ed the recent tdisfrepcbisement amend
ments 10 North Carolina, and accused
the Federal Government Of neglect in
nos protecting the franchise rights of
the Negro. He sdmitted that preiu-
dice was en- the increase, but urged
that it is best to cease resistance, and
do by education, Industry, and chsrsc-
ter what cannot otherwise be peaces-
bly, accomplished. He urged the race
10 act inde pendently in politics, and
Declared that politicians must cease to
make the Negro pawn in the politi-
cal game.
Bishop Walters &C the conclusion of
his address, said that In the making
up OF the committee which Is to frame
the address to be Issued TO the country
he should instruct the secretary in in
stances where Democratic organiEa-
tions were represented bs delegates
from the same localities. where Re-
pu5licaus clubs were similarly repre-
sented in the place, the name of a
Democrat and o Republican in the
committee.
AGAINST MICRO DEMOCRATS.
This brought James Lewis, OF New
Orleans, to his feet. "A Negro Demo.
erat he exclaimed. Are there Any
Negro Democrats here7 should like
90 see one"
Then Delegate J. Milton Turner,
President Grants Minister to Liberia,
and who for many years has been an
ardent Democrat. arose aud said:
81 have come here t1 participate in
the deliberations of this Convention
imbued with the idea that its purpose
was not political one, and that no
man would appear rs Democrat or
Republican, so far rs carrying out his
obligations to this convention may be
&C ncerned. I am here as q represen-
tative OF my race. that and that alone,
and wish right here TO inveigh against
any attempt by any man who enters
shis convention hall as q delepate to
foist political questions, or political
discussions upon us
THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.
The National Afro. American Press
elected the folio wing off.
GERS to-day: President, Cyrus Field
Adams. Editor OF the Chicago Appeal
Vice Presidents, George L. Knox of the
Freeman, Indianapolis; Treasurer, w.
ID. Steward of Louisville, KY; Secre- |
tary, Alexander Manly, Editor Of the
Washington Daily Record.
ls was lett to the chairman to select |
the time and place for the next con-
vention. Twenty. one members of the |
association signed q statement today.
asking that it be known to the public |
that the action of the association in |
oeieating resolution indorsing the
national administration last night |
should not be understood that the del.
egates were hostile to the administra-
tion. Killing the resolution, they saw.
was in conformity with the associs.
tion's policy to keep out of politics.