The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-26
INSIST UPON RIGHTS"
Hope to Contest Constitution
 in Supreme Court.
Make a Show of Repudiating Shell ley-Johnston Combination and Warn "Unfortunate Whites"
 of Impending Evils.

Birmingham, Sept. 25.-(Speciai)-A State Convention of negroes was held here today to take action looking ito the preservation of the rights of colored citi- zenship' at the forthcoming election which is to determine whether or not new constitution shall be ratified.
 When the convention was called tt order at Union Hall shortly after noon over 100 negroes were present, among them being a number of the most promi- nent leaders of the race in the State. About half the counties in the State, it is claimed, were represented. The meeting was called to order by c. c. Caperton of Birmingham, who said that its object was well understood. He stated that 1t was not the idea to do anything that would injure any one, that it was the purpose to do the best thing possible for the race. The issue had been made by others, he declared and the only thing for the eolored people to do was to hew to the hne.
 He concluded by saying: "As God only ran tell what will become of this great question we should ask for guidance of Him in what we should do. therefore l call upon Brother Belsor to lead In prayer"
 At conclusion of prayer in which Divine guidance was sought, H. ". Cashin of Decatur, moved that the con- vention continue the opening devotional exercises by singing that song written by a white woman for all who are op- pressed and which was made famous at the death of Mir. McKinley-"Nearer, My God to Thee"
 In speaking on the motion to sing the song Cashin said that the Constitutional negro professor on adjournment, God Be With You Till we Meet Again." and now this convention will show its apprecia- tion by singing song written py Wnite Nuoa tnfnAd fhR entire convention and the music could De heard throughout that part of town in which the convention was being held
 Johnson Was Chosen.
 At the conclusion of the song service, Chairman Caperton called upon A. N. Johnson, a pr9ninent negro neg .Srin isaasF from kroducing him as man who had never failed in his duty to his race. He was chosen by acclamation. In assuming the chair Johnson said that the convention had met with malice for none and charity tor all. ~ of fe the greatest President the country has ever known since Lincoln. l remember when Jefferson Davis, the only President of the Confederacy, died, there was no death of MT. Mckinley, so it is appro- priate that we should have no malice on this occasion. The white men remind me Sf the little lizard which sse GhamgsI snsTs sSe sSSr ley at one time as the chief of alleged ballot box suffers and now we see nm against the new Constitution. put We
 The speaker referred to the reasons which entitle the negro to citisenshlP. He orS and top eGttSe enera naies Jackson
 We are entitled" he said. to citi- zenship for the further reason that when the men of the South were at war the negroes remained at home protecting the white women and children. Then mem ber of our race was the first to strike down the assassin who hreo upon our President" He also spoke or the negro part in the Spanish American war and referring to the Constitutions Conven- tion campaign that not a single white Republican had come forward to aid the negroes in this struggle.
 This is not a fight then for the Re publican party" continued Johnson, but 1t is a fight for life on the part of the negro. We have been cut of from the Republican party. There is scarcely ne- gro in Alabama holding office. Let us not fight any faction of the white men. but let it be known that we insist upon the rights of our race. Let us appoint the necessary committees and raise money to take the matter to the Supreme Court of the United States and If we fail there, a more congenial cline. There are. sec tions which want our services and are ready to pay for them. Just so sure as this thing carries and stands we will go we can go to the West, to Cuba. the Philippines or elsewhere. and can make a country for ourselves
 Johnsons speech was received with great enthusiasm. S.. l.. Brooks of Pratt City was elected secretary of the con vention. H. V. Cashin introduced a res olution of regret at the death of Presi- dent Mckinley which was adopted. A Committee on Resolutions was appointed and pending It's report the convention receSscd