The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1903-04-11
The National Afro.American Council
ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY.

It is evident to the thoughtful among PM
us that we are passing through one OF the
most critical periods OF our existeacG ~
concern the liberty and we'll being OF one
eighth of the United States and scarcely
to less degree the whole population OF the
country are pressing res ageor dGe exneriemce Of
mankind teaches that in public matters
the equality Of each is the surest quar- ar
antee of the liberty and safety OF az the
country can not endure half free and
half slave it follows as necessary coroi-
larry that the manhood Of no sta state can
with safety be di vnd nonnvote aiS
A systematic effort has been inaugur-
ated on the part Of the South which mas
for it's object the Withdrawal; OF tn ef that
section, and their reduction to posltlon
of absolute subserviency in all the rela,
lions of life. Even college graduates and
denied the right of franchise. It has been
openly declared by some OF Sas Host
prominent leaders CT the South tAst II
was the Intention of the trainers Of the
new constitutions to disfrarchise as many
Afro Americans as possible and 1ea az
every Caucasian in full possession Of the
suffrage. The effect. has been that no not
franchised but also that, very large
number of Caucasians, who previous to
the adoption Of these constitutions par
tlClDaLoQ IN 6loCIlO1lS, 11dNC NCcoCN ~ 20
lister and vote, and thus the very founda-
lions of republican institutions nave peen
rendered insecure.
We contend for our constltutlonaae
suffrage which is the basis of the 1ndi-
vidual sovereignty of the American cltl-
zen, which in turn is the basis OF the ag-
gregate sovereignty of the whole body
politic has been conferred upon it's citi-
zens by the Federal Government. The
powers of the Federal Government were
not conferred by single state put ny an
of the states therefore the National Gov
eminent can enforce the provisions or the
Constitution. :.
We heartily commend the Afro-Ameri-
and other states, who are seeking redress
through the courts of the land and we
pledge them our moral and hnanclal sup
port -
We denounce the mob murders now so
prevalent in this country.
We call the attention of the country to
condition Of service on many farms rms. IN
bling very much the old peonage system
and in violation Of the Thirteenth Amend
ment to the Federal Constitution, and ask
for legislation looking to the remedy1ng or
the evil. ..-
We submit our protest against the un.
fair practices in the transportation OF
passengers in Southern states, discrim-
requiring of them the highest rates for
travel and providing in return the poorest
accommodations in carriage; and we in
woke the exercise of the powers Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, by
that tribunal, to prevent Determinations
in rates and accommodations against in
ter-state passengers:
We appeal to the Congress of the Unit
ed States for favorable action upon the
several measures now pending therein for
the appointment of commission to in
quire into the con ition of the Afro.
Americans of the country. - SG.s*$;s
We heartily endorse the deliveranceS. OF
President Roosevelt with references to
the fitness for appointment to of1ce.an
the attitude of the Federal Government
toward all of it's citizens, regardless OF
race or color. He has impaired new life
and vigor to the ztime-honored principles
and traditions Of human rights, and has
given hope and inspiration. to a people
struggling heroically beneath the burden
of hate and prescription We commend
Theodore Roosevelt to the affection and
confidence Of our people regardless Of
party af1iliation. 5EssEs
g ALEXANDER WALTERS.
Chairman Executive Committee.
CYRUS FIELD ADAMS.
secretary.
Il WILLIAM a. PLETGER.
Acting President, National Afro lmerican