The colored American., 1901-09-21

Past events, present circumstances and
the aspect Of the Immediate future en-
phasiZe and demand that we, the cOlOred
people of the United States Of America, /
close our eyes 10 past failures, place our
minds and hearts upon our present duty as
a race and as American citizens, and unite
for action and results. For such purpose
for forming a more mutual and national re-
latiOnShip among ourselves; for bringing
about more just and humane treatment from
others for helping to check and Obliterate
those cruel and barbaTOus practices that are
Incompatible with Christian civilization; for
becoming interested in the building up and
ownership or communities, cities, States,
Territories, or any dependencies of this gov
ernment; TO form q more appreCiatiYe part
of the government TO which we are so loyal
and subServient in time of peace, and for
which we pledge our sacred lives in time
OF war; for helping TO make the Declaration
of independence as sacred and as dear in
reality 5 il IS in name; for helping to make
valid the last three amendments to the Con-
stitutiOn Of the United States; for fOrmu-
lating means Of self protection, and ac-
cordtngly self preservation; for these and
such other reasonable purposes as beit the
dignity and patriotism Of American citizens
we do hereby form ourselves into one com
pact body and adopt the following cOnstitu-
ton"
ARTICLE I.
Name.
The name Of this organization shall be
1.-The American Protective League" The
The American Protective League and sets
1Orth clearly and distinctly its aims and OBJ
Jects. Founded March 18th, 1898, copy
righted In 1900, by Mr.. Joseph w. Hender-
son, Of Providence, r. L, and incorporated
under the laws of the State of New jersey
IN 1901. 1t has come to remain until the
objects which called it into being, and
which are so clearly defined in It's declara-
ton Of principles, are all put into practical
operation.
The American Protective League was or
a In Ind
July 81, Aug. and 2, 1900 and JOS. W.
Henderson, It's founder, was elected Presi-
dent.
1t is a national organization Of col0red
men, women and children. The entrance
Zee Is only one penny per week, or 80 cents
per year. If only one Negro In ten of our
present Negro population contributed this
small pittance per week, the result would
be 81 $50 per day; $4,000 per week. or $500
600 per year. If all should do so, its daily
income from this source alone would be
$1,000 per day, 100000 per week. or S5,-
Since "the mfnutest thing Is part of a
magnitude" 1t will be seen at q glance that
the possibilities Of a penny when directed
in right channels are amazing to contem-
plate.
The American Protective League has not
'deSpiSed the day Of small things" for It
has already demonstrated in the most prac.
ticable way what can be accomplished with
penny when enough of them are gathered
together for business purposes.
With a united organization composed Of
branch leagues scattered all over the coun-
try, and an aggregate membership Of 1OO-
UOu or all sexes and ages, il has done what
no Negro organization has ever done and
with less noise and publicity. It's first bust
ness enterprise was the purchase of Rome
a townsite comprising 1900, building lots
IN HunterdOn County, \. J., situate on a
beautiful plateau 600 feet above the level
OF the sea, and the only County In the
State Of New Jersey that has not a single
marsh or pool Of stagnant water In It. It is
ten miles wide, fifteen miles long, and is
nearly level.
This is the great fruit district of New
Jersey; the finest grazing land in the State.
and the most healthful spot west OF
Colorado.
Near at hand are valuable cement de-
posits, and fire and brick clays are abun-
dant.
Manufacturing establishments are CONT
giOuS on every side, and q creamery with
reputation second to none IN the world
IS already In operation near the center OF
the town Of Rome.
The American Protective League owns,
IN its own right, every foot OF this land,
and II proposes to found a model Negro
town there with the stray pennies of cOlored
men, women and children who have faith
In Negro capacity for doing the things that
white men are doing with less money and
less experience.
The town Of Rome is already laid out and
Negro skilled artisans and mechanics. who
and beautify il.
It is a healthy agricultural district,
situate about two miles from Pittstown, a
Lehigh Valley r. r. Station. The eommuni-
- IS fruit growing, vegetable raising,