The age-herald., 1901-05-29
Is the Subject of an Appeal to
 the Convention
LAW ABIDING CITIZENS
Are the Great Majority of the Negro Race, and Many of Them Tax Payers-The Appeal Asks
 Falr Treatment.

Since 1t Is true that our race numbers in this State about SO0.0O0 and there Is no member of the race a member of your body, who can speak directly for us in an official capacity, we do not think that you will misunderstood the object and spirit of this communication, for it is not sent to you in a dlctatorial, fault-dnding spirit, but with an earnest desire to be Of some assistance In the performance of grave and perplexing task. We make ourselvs all the more bold to send you this communication because mem bers of your body In nearly every part Of the State have expressed desire to hear from us
 It could not be expected that the 800 0o0 colored people in this State would not have some interest in the deliberations of body that is to frame the funda- mental law under which both races are to be governed in this State, perhaps for all future time
 Your petitioners are not stirrers up of strife between the races, but we feel that the questions with which you are to deal are above and beyond party politics. Each of US, in some calling, is a hard working, tax paying. and we trust. law abiding citizen, and we believe that we repreg 1t in large measure, the feelings and desires of the masses of our people in the State
 We beg of your honorable body to keep in mind in dealing with the problems that grow out of our presence that, as race, we did not force ourselves upon you, but were brought here In most cases against our will: but nevertheless, we recognize that since being here we rave been vastly benefited. We have gotten habits of in dustry, the English language and the Christian religion. and at the same time, we have tried In an humble way, to render valuable service to the white man in clearing the forests, building the rail- roads, cultivating the lands, working the mines. as we'll as in many forms of do- nestle service and in other activities. Our fathers and mothers have helped nurse you and your children and when the male members of the family were away from home fighting In war that might have meant our continued enslaye- ment, we remained at home, working your farms, supporting and protecting your helpless wives and daughters When we have been called to perform any duty of citizenship. whether fighting foreign foe. working the public roads, or any other duty, we have tried to do our best.
 Not Disturbing Element.
 We beg of you to bear in mind that for more than twenty years the negro in this State has not as a rule, been a. disturb ing or offensive element. Emmediately af- ter the war we made mistakes, just as would have been true of any people placed in the same position, but we have learned our lesson from those mistakes and they are not likely to be repeated.
 The changes wrought by time and the providence of God, 1t seems to us, places your body in a peculiarly responsible po sition You assemble at time when your actions will not be directed or restricted by any pressure from the Federal govern ment or elsewhere. The north is almost unanimous in it's agreement that the fu- ture of the negro in a large degree rests with the south. Almost for the first time since freedom came to us a law-making body assemblies in the south, bearing the supreme law-making power of the State, and Is left free to act, entirely untram- meled by outside influences. Almost for the first time the negro is to rest his fu- ture in large degree upon the conscience and intelligence of great law-making body of a great southern state. You have the power. The world will watch while you act
 It requires little thought, effort or strength to degrade and pull down a weak race, but It Is the sign of great states manship to encourage and lift up weak and unfortunate race Destruction Is easy, construction Is difficult.
 There are those among your petitioners who have persistently urged the negro to learn to trust his future with his south ern white neighbor and that when the supreme test came he would receive jus tice at his hands. This Is a crucial hour for those who have thus advised our race but we do not believe our faith in you will be misplaced. We believe that the possession of great power will deepen your sympathy for the weak and depen- dent element of your population,
 Satisfactory Relations.
 It seems to us on the whole that the relations of the two races in this State are reasonably satisfactory, and We tremble and fear lest something will be done to disturb these relations and to bring discouragement and Generalization to our race.
 Of the greatest importance Is the econo- mic consideration. The greater portion of our people are settled upon the plan tations in the cotton raising districts, while a large number of others are in the mining districts. These people are oc- cupying and cultivating land that Is largely owned by white people. Still others are building homes and thereby contributing to the welfare of the State. In most cases they are contented, pro- ducing, law-abiding citizens. Already alarm is beginning to spread among them and their fears are being worked upon by emigra ton agents and exodus associations who are telling them that under the. new constitution the negros citizenship will be taken from him and that his schools will be virtually plotted out. These agencies expect in one way or another to reap gain by reason of something that you will do in your convention.
 Anything that will unsettle and cause excitement on people at the present time when more than ever in all parts of the State the race Is beginning to improve, to settle down to habits of thrift, econ omy and common sense, will not only prove injurious to our race, but to yours that a contented. intelligent, friendly class is the greatest possession of any State.
 Must Have Incentive.
 The negro youth must have some in- centive for right and useful living heli out to him. Let the negro youth feel that makes himself. that there is no hope of reward held out before him. and there will be danger that he will become beast, revelling in crime and a body of death about the neck of the State In a thous- and ways the ignorant, shiftless, criminal negro will retard the progress of the white race.
 The negro is not seeking to rule the white man. In this State the negro holds not single elective office. Whenever he votes he usually votes for some white man and is learning more and more to vote for the best white man. There is in the last analysis a feeling of tenderness, good will and sympathy existing between the two races in this State which the out