Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-27
Discussed at Mass Meeting
Held Last Night.
FIGHTING WITH HANDS
"THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID DIS
ERANCHISEMENT.
James n. Hayes Of Virginia Makes an
Impassioned Speech-Circular
to the Country.

A mass meeting of colored people. under
the auspices of the Afro-American Council,
was held at Lincoln Memorial Church last
evening. The big auditorium was filled.
Cyrus Field Adams. assistant register Of
the treasury presided.
The principal address of the evening was
made by James H. Hayes Of Richmond,
who has been retained by members OF his
race in Virginia to test the constitutionality
Of the DISTINGUISHING laws enacted recently.
Mr.. Hayes described the conditions of sew
eral years ago and pointed out many In
stances where he said, the colored man had
| been and was being Disseminated against.
He declared that the feeling against the
negro. especially in Virginia, was becoming
| intolerable, and proclaimed that the time
had arrived when the negro must as
sert his rights and, If need be, die for them.
The speaker dwelt on the fact that the state
Of Virginia proposes to place a statue OF
Lee In Statuary Hall in the Capitol OF the
tionaI feeling between the north and the
south had faded away the negro In Vir-
ginia had practically not advanced an inch
/ Nothing but Degradation.
| He said there was nothing in Virginia for
the negro but degradation. unless he takes
a firm stand for his rights.
IT am not an anarchist" he declared,
land don't mean to go out and kill any
| body, but to let somebody else kill you"
He said that In Virginia the negro was
| known as Jim Crow"
you opened the meeting tonight by sing
ing My Country IT'S of Thee, but l won
der how many negroes can sing that song.
For myself, am a man without coun-
try
Mr.. Hayes declared the time had come
when the negro must fight; not theoreti-
cally, not Intellectually, but with his hands.
ct Am Afraid We Are Anarchistic."
Negroes are leaving the state of Virgin
Ia" he said, because of the treatment they
are receiving. What we want to dois to- start
something, and keep 1t up until the white
people stop something. We don't intend to
be oppressed any longer. We don't intend
to be crushed. I am afraid we are anarch-
istic, that We anarchists, and I give
the warning that If this oppression in the
south continues the negro must resort to
the sword and torch, and that the south
land will become a land of blood and desc
lation.
Il want to make the assertion right here
that we are not going to be disfranchised
in Virginia. 1t is written in the heavens
and engraved upon the stars that the Vir-
ginia negro does not intend to submit to dis
reimbursement. We are told. Let the negro
gain the political equality which he DESIRES
| say that never was bigger lie uttered.
me more the negro advances the more will
political rights be denied him. 1t Is not
the common negro in the south who is cut
off the registration lists. 1t Is not the ditch
digger. 1t is the educated negro, the doc
tor and lawyer and preacher who are de-
prived unlawfully of political rights and
manhood by the Ubiquitous constitution of
Virginia, which cost half million dollars
TO frame. And want to say that by the
time we get through punching holes in the
constitution 1t will cost the state of Vir-
g1nfa half q million more.'
The speaker declared that no two people.
having the same religion and speaking the
been kept apart. This. he said, was well
known and was one Of the reasons why
the dominant race was crushing out the
strength Of the negro in the south.
Favored Peaceful Methods.
The Rev George Lee followed Mr.. Hayes
He said that he had been fighting for the
rights Of the colored people all his life, and
that the only redress of the race was
through the courts. He commended the ac-
ton taken by the Afro-Americans of Vir-
ginia to test the constitutionality Of laws
recently enacted, but declared that he ia
vored the employment of peaceable means
Tor the solution Of the all-absorbing prob
lem.
Mr.. H. L. Johnson Of Atlanta, Ca, made
Mr.. Hayes. He declared that instead of
being badge of dishonor to be called a
professional negro. 1t was decoration He
enumerated the hardships of the colored
man in the south and spoke in advocacy of
peaceful methods of securing the rights of
the race.
Mr.. Cyrus F. Adams, secretary of the
council, gave history of the organization
and its many affiliated bodies. He spoke of
its accomplishments and it's prestige and
said it's work was edifying to the entire
race
Bishop Walters Speaks.
Bishop Walters also spoke of the work of
the council. and urged his fellow men to
be more radical in fighting for their rights
He ridiculed the idea of industrialism solv-
ing the problem.
Mr.. Jesse Lawson. in his address, declared
that he was of the opinion that the only
way to maintain the rights of the race in
this country was to let the acts OF the en-
tire race be so conservative as to commend
themselves to the considera ton of right
thinking people. He eulogized Booker T.
Washington in the highest terms, and said
that the race needs more such characters.
Mr. John c. Dancey, recorder of deeds of
the District, referred to the praise bestowed
upon Booker 7. Washington by President
Cleveland, and said that by organiza lions
such as the National Afro-American Coun--
ell the coiored race would compel the peo-
pie to recognize 1t.
Mr.. P. d. S. Pinchback, ex-governor of
louisiana, said he more pessimistic
than the other speakers. He said he
| thought the outlook for the race In this
| country was very dark.
| AT the close Of the meeting Of the
executive committee Of the council last
| evening an address to the country was
| made public. During the session resolu-
lions were also adopted asking the United
| states Senate to confirm the nomination of
| DR.. w. d. Crum as collector of the port of
| Charleston, S. c.; asking Congress to ap-
| propriate S150,000 to build a new Freed
mems Hospital and suggesting that James
| II. Hayes of Richmond Va be appointed
| an organizer for the council.
A resolution was adopted appealing to
| Congress for an appropriation OF $4,000 for
| the construction of a new Freedman's Hos
! pital in this city.
Appeal to the Country.
| The address to the country Is signed by
| Alexander Walters. chairman of the execu-
| tive committee: Cyrus Field Adams, secre-
! tary. and William 4. Pledger acting pres
| ident of the council. and is In part, as fol-
/ lows: