The colored American., 1903-07-11

ana CONSTITUTION IN the rlCuVSI uuu
reddest blood of the nation. The North
triumphed, gloriously triumphed, and
after the victory the mon whose pray
ers and hopes were on the side of uni
versal liberty, who had looked through
the dim vista of the smoke OF battle
and seen with clear vision the terrible
consequences of the war. then wag1ng.
in which 1t was attempted to exclude
the Negro, hailed with Joy Lincolns
proclamation, calling for 100000 vol
untees to put down the rebellion ana
when that call was answered their
fears gave place to- the faith which the
courage and heroism of the Negro has
always inspired in the white man and
they knew then, as they know now,
that the Negroes would fight hike de-
mons to save this nation from the
enemies who sought it's ruin. Every
body knows the story. so why repeat
1.-THE nation was saved, the nag
floats proudly over every American Cit
iZen. But it doe not protect the black
men whose forefathers helped to place
it upon the citadel Of liberty and keep
| it here. The sons of white men now
seek to rob the sons Of black men,
whose fathers fought for universal lib
erty, the boon of freedom and citizen
ship They can never do this-with-
out a revolution without anarchy and
| bloodshed and of these there is now no
| danger. There are other and better
| ways by which the Negro can secure
his right of citizenship and the prOtsc
| ton of that right. The ballot is
/ more potent force than the sword or
| the bullet. The law making branch of
/ the government under which we live,
gave us citizenship and that branch
must protect us In the enjoyment Of
1 he iOhx Of NnCra
ters in the States must organize for
| their salvation from the course of dis
franchisement and they must prepare
to hold to a strict accountability at
the polls every Congressman, who is
| opposed to universal suffrage, or who
is in sympathy with the Infamous
scheme to denude the Negroes of the
South of political rights. The libRty
of a race is of more Importance than
the election to Office of any man or Set
Of men, WHO would use their power
and Influence and vosrs to aid another
set of men to rob black men of politi-
cal liberty and freedom.
| The National Negro Suffrage Con-
yention called to meet at Louisville,
KY, July, 1st, Is a strong organization.
The delegates, 3S in number, represent
ing three States, New York, New Jer-
Isey and Massachusetts,, represented
constituencies which gentlemen aSpir-
ing to seats in Congress will have to
consult, touching their wishes in GER
attn matters of legislation and of para.
mount importance to them. The Con
! vention for the sake of harmony, and
that good fellowship which ought to at.
tain among all Negroes who are strug
CLING to &fe up the race and for the
further reason that the Afro-American
| Council then IN session is also eneag
! ed in an effort to make disfranchise
ment unpopular, after several confer
ences with men in authority in both
organizations, decided to merge with
the Afro-American Council and make
: common cause against the damnable
suffrage legislation of the South. This
was the wisest thing done at Louis
Vile, the best thing ever done by the
Council. Our leader, Mr.. Jas H
: Hayes, was made National organizer
as the result OF the agreement entered
into between the representatives of the
National Suffrage Association and ths
Council. Mr.. Hayes is an organizer
and an orator and he will carry ou
to the letter his part Of the agreemen
so happily and harmoniously entered
into and ratified by the two organi
e zations- The Council will, Of course
I stand by its agreements and pledges {,
hnI b<N