Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-06-20
MEMORIAL FROM
NEGRO CONVENTION
A Strong Paper Is Put Before The
Constitutional Convention.
A PLEA FOR FAIR PLAY.
Warming That Rash and Imprudent Work
May Do Vast Harm to Both Races
and The Whole South.

May 10 vast narM lO DUH hdCcS
and The Whole South.
The following paper was an last Tuesday
submitted to the Constitutional Conven-
ton by the colored people of Virginia
"Your petitioners are not siirrers-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 hardwOrking,
tax. paving, and we trust, law abiding cltl'
zens, and We believe that we represent, in
large measure, the feelings and desires
of the masses of our people in the State.
ave beg of your honorable body to
keep in mind in dealing with the prob
lens that grow out of our presence, that as
a race, we did not force ourselves upon
vou, but were brought here, in most cases,
against our will, but nevertheless we recog
nize that since being here we have been
vastly benefited. We have gotten habits
of industry. 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 III clear
ing the forests, building the railroads, cul-
tivating the lands, working the mines as
well as in many forms of domestic 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 a war that might have meant our con-
tinued ensavement we remained at home
working your farms, supporting and pro-
tecting your helpless wives and daughters
When we Lave been called upon to per-
form any duty Of citizenship, whether
fighting a foreign foe, working the public
roads or any other duty we have tried to
do our best.
"We beg of you to bear in mind that
for years the negro in this State has not,
as a rule, been disturbing or offensive
element. Immediately after the war we
made mistakes Just as would have been
true of any people placed in the same po
sition, but we have learned our lesson
from those mistakes and they are not like
ly to be repeated.
"The changes wrought by time and the
providence of God, it seems to us place
your body in peculiarly responsible posi-
ton. You assemble at a time when your
actions will not be directed or restricted
from the Federal Government or else
where The North is almost unanimous
in its agreement that the future OF the
negro, in large degree, rests with the
South. For the first time in tue history OF
Virginia since freedom came to the negro
a law. making body assemblies in the State
bearing the supreme awmaking power
and is left free to ACT untrammeled by out
side influence. The Virginia negro is to
rest his future, in a 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 a sign Of great statesman
ship to encourage and lift up weak and
unfortunate race-destruction is easy; con-
struction s difficult.
"There are those among your petition
ers wko have urged the negro to learn to
trust his future with his Southern white
neighbor and that when the supreme test
came he would receive justice at his hands.
This is a crucial hour for those who have
thus advised our race, but we do not be-
, lieve that our faith in you will be mis-
placed. We believe that the possession oi
great power will deepen your sympathy
for the weak and dependent elements o.
r our population.
at seems to us on the whole that tht
relations of the two races in this State are
reasonably satisfactory, and We trembl'
, and fear lest something will be done t(
disturb those relations and to bring dis
couragement and decentralization to GU
race.
"Of the greatest importance is the eco
nomic consideration. The greater portion
of our people are se'i,ei in tie rural dis
q tricts. These people are occupying ant
d culnvating land that is largely owned b,
;. white people or operating other jndustrie
n owned by white people. Still others ar
q buving homes and thereby contributing t
s. the welfare of the State. IL most case
they are contented, producing, law abidin
people. Already alarm is beginning t
spread among them and their fears are be
-, ing worked upon by emigration agents an
- exodus associations who are telling theT
that under the new constitution the NJ
gros citizenship will be taken from hii
and that bis schools will be virtually bio
ted out. These agencies expect in OF
- way or other to reap gain by reason
IL something that you Will Go IN your col
90 vention.
- Anything that will unsettle and cau'
excitement of people at the present tin
- when more than ever, in all parts of Il
81 State the race is beginning to improve an
~ to settle down to habits of thrift, econom
=. and common sense, will not only pro-
injurious to Our race but to yours ais
,.4 The history of all races proves that co
- tented, intelligent, friendly working cla
;, is the greatest possession of State.
nj "The negro youth must have some
centive for right held out to him. l.
the negro youth feel that no matter he
intelligent or useful he makes himse
there is no hope of reward held out
Ie- him, and there will be danger that be "
ic. become beast, revelling in crime and
1 Of 81 Cta,