The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-04
Radical Element Denounced for
Working Up Sentiment Against
All Classes Of Blacks.
EQUAL PRIVILEGES DESIRED
SOCIAL EQUALITY NOT THE AIM OF
INTELLIGENT NEGROES.
Conditions Such that Colored Men
Cannot Even Defend own Women
without Being Lynched.

LOUISVILLE, July 3.-The closing days
session Of the Afro-American Council was
marked chiefly by the presentation OF reso-
lutions embodying an address TO the coun-
try at large on the race problem. The adj
dress on the whole is temperate i'm tone.
After its adoption the convention adjourned
sine die. The address. IN part. follows:
I'VE recognize with pleasure the friend
ly relation that has all along existed be-
tween the best people of the white race
and our own, and we sincerely desire that
nothing may be permitted to intervene to
mar this relation. Still we are confident
that no one that notes carefully the signs
of the times can fail TO discover that there
are influences at work in nearly every part
OF the land TO accomplish this very end
Who can fail TO see that the negro Is being
held up as the most objectionable and
desirable being that treads American soil;
the ignorant vicious, criminal class are
pointed .S to as h the types and products Of the
of the negroes best endeavors for race de-
development and uplifting We declare this
standard of measurement TO be unfair TO
any people.
LAS to mob violence. IL is gratifying to
note that for the past year or two the num-
Der OF victims show decided decrease; and
while all these were not members of our
race the vast majority was. But notwith-
standing this fact, we should not feel
called upon to discuss the matter at this
time. were IL not that. although the number
Of victims Is decreasing, the variety OF
provocations which lead UP to this act OF
violence is growing more and more insig-
niflcant and numerous. 1t Is not an unusual
thing to read these days Of negroes be-
ing lynched for impudence. refusing to
obey, striking a white man, etc. Now We
submit that lynching for any cause Is de-
structive of law, is demoralzing. But to
subject persons accused of, even guilty.
Of such trivial offenses as we have indi-
Gated, to unlawful punishment and death
is to make the negro the marked man of
the Nation, for him TO suffer violence for
such causes will eventually involve many
of our best people. Even as IL Is In some
sections OF the country, IL means death for
a negro to attempt TO protect the females
OF his family. We ask In all sincerity Is
this America? Is IL right? Such conditions
indicate clearly a tendency TO anarchy:
and anarchy for the negro will terminate
I'm anarchy for all men.
1.-The number OF those OF our race who are
now accused of the nameless crimes
against woman IL so small as compared
with the whole number that IL Is scarcely
necessary TO discuss this as a distinct
no plea for any man who may be proven
10 be guilty OF this crime; our plea Is for
law and for the protection OF the inns~
.'It is now clearly evident that the pur-
pose of those who first started I'm ostensibly
to disfranchise the ignorant negro has been
broaGened and strengthened. Their pur-
pose now includes almost all negroes. In
certain of the States. this result has al
ready been achieved and thousands OF
solutely the right 10 vote. In such States
taxation without representation. prevails
as truly as ever II did when England held
control over the American colonies. We
make no objection 10 the disfranchisement
OF the ignorant negro. provided the same
class OF the ether race are similarly dealt
with Our contention Is not for special
but equal privileges.
j. Madison Vance. OF New Orleans who
has had charge of the legal department
of the council, reported that during the
past year the department had looked after
the interest of the negroes and in every
case where his rights had been trampied
on the department had taken IL up.
j. c. Napier, OF Nashville. Tenn. IN an
address this morning. said: What the
negroes want 10 do In this country Is 10
make friends with the people. Passing laws
will not bring about the desired result I
would feel better away from home IL I
knew that / had the respect OF my neigh
bors, who were willing 20 protect my fam
ily during my absence than l would with
an army a thousand miles away willing
to fight for my rights. These youns men
notious os ufs. with thar hlen61hin>1