The Savannah morning news., 1903-01-27
WHAT THE NEGROES SAY.
Their Side of the AntagOnism of
the Races.

Their Side of the AntagOnism of
the Races.
Washington, Jan. 26.-The Executive
Committee of the National Afro Amer
lean Council, in session here to-day,
passed a resolution urging confrma-
ton by the Senate of the nomination
of DR.. w. D. Crum to be collector of
customs at Charleston, S. c., and
adopted an address to the country on
the race question in general. The adj
dress is signed by Alexander Walters,
chairman of the Executive Committee
Cyrus F. Adams, secretary, and Will
liam A. Pledger, acting president of
the council. The address, in part, -
as follows:
1T is evident to the thoughtful
among us that We are passing through
one of the most critical periods of our
existence in this country, Questions
that Immediately concern the liberty
and we'll being of one-eighth of the
population of the United States and
scarcely to less degree the whole pop
ulation of the country, are pressing for
treatment as never before. A syste-
matte effort has been inaugurated on
the part of the South, which has for
its object the withdrawal of the fran
chise from the Americans of that
sections and their reduction to a posi-
ton of absolute subseryiency in all
the relations of lne. 1t has been OPEN
ly declared by some of the most prom
inent leaders of the South that it was
the intention of the trainers of the new
constitutions to disfranchise as many
ro-Americans as possible and leave
every Caucasian in full possession of
the suffrage.
THE effect has been that not only
has the Afro-American been disfran-
chised, but also.that very large num-
Der of Caucassians, who previous to
the adoption of these constitutions
participated in elections, have ceased to
register and vote.
I'VE contend for our constitutional
rights on the ground that the right of
suffrage has been conferred upon its
citizens by the federal government.
1--WE heartily commend the Afro
Americans of Virginia Alabama, Louis
lana and other states, who are seek
ing redress through the courts of the
land, and we pledge them our moral
and financial support
I'VE denounce the mob murders now
prevalent in this country.
I'VE call the attention of the country
to a condition of service on many farms
in a number of the Southern states,
resembling very much the old peonage
system, and ask for legislation looking
to the remedying of the evil.
I'VE submit our protest against the
unfair practices in the transportation
of passengers in Southern states, dis
eliminating unjustly against Afro
Americans; requiring of them the
highest rates for travel and providing
in return the poorest accommodations
in carriage; and we invoke the exer-
else of the powers of the Interstate
Commerce Commission to prevent dis
examinations in rates and accommoda-
tons against interstate passengers.
I'VE appeal to Congress for favor
able action upon one of the several
measures now pending therein for the
appointment of a commission to in
quire into the condition of the Afro
Americans of the country.
1--WE heartily indorse the deliver
ances of President Roosevelt with ref
erence to fitness for appointment to
office, and 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
time -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 Tneo-
dore Roosevelt to the affection and
confidence of our people, regardless of
party affiliation"