The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1903-04-18
The National Afro-American Council
ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY.

It is evident to the thoughtful among
us that we are passing through one Oh ne ne
most critical periods of our existence III
concern the liberty and we'll being OF one
eighth of the United States ana scarcely 1;l
to less degree the whole. population OF the
country are pressing TOR t aeaenience Of
mankind teaches that in public matters
the equality of each is the surcst gual
antee of the liberty and safety OF an me me
country can not endure half free ana
half slave it follows as necessary coroi-
larry that the manhood of no state sta can
with safety be divided, in nearly equal
parts, into voters and non voters:
A systematic effort has been inaugur-
ated on the part of the South which has
for it's object the Withdrawal OF the 1t tha+
section and their reduction to position
of absolute subserviency in all the reiaz
tons of life. Even college graduates ana
denied the right of franchise. 1t has been
openly declared by some OF me most
prominent leaders Of the south thet IL
new constitutions to disfrarchi as many
Afro Americans as possible and leave
every Caucasian in full possession OF the
only has the Afro-American been dis
franchised but also that very large
number Of Caucasians, who previous 81, TO
the adoption of these rs p psr
ister and Vote and thus the very founda-
tons of republican institutions have been
rendered insecure
rights on the ground that the right OF
suffrage which is the basis OF the 1nd 1
vidual sovereignty of the AMERICAN cltl-
gregate sovereignty Of the whole body
polite, has been conferred upon it's c1tl-
zens by the Federal Government. The
powers of the Federal Government were
NV q Gin ole state hllt DV all
of the states, therefore the National Coy
eminent can enforce the provisions of the
Constitution.
We heartily commend the Afro-Aneri-
cans of Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana,
and other states, who are seeking fedress
through the courts of the land and we
pledge them our moral and hnanclal sup
we denounce the mob murders now so
prevalent in this country.
We call the attention of the country to
a. condition of service on many farms in
a number of the Southern states resem-
bling very much the old peonage system
ment to the Federal Constitution, and ask
for legislation" looking to the remedying OF
the evil - =, ..~l
We submit our protest against the un-
passengers in Southern states. discrim-
mating unjustly against Afro Americans;
requiring of them the highest rates for
travel and Rfovding in return the the poorest est
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 a commission to in
quire into the condition of the Afro
Americans of the country. - .5sis.E.
s We heartily endorse the deliverances of
President Roosevelt with references. to
the 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 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 utilization. e i s
-, ~ :. ALEXANDER WALTERS.
81. Chairman Executive Committee
IS. \ CYRUS FIELD ADAMS,
Secretary.
BE WILLIAM "a. PLET GER.
Acting President, National Afro. American
Council. b 3ssf5