The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-01-29
NEGROES ISSUE ADDRESS.
Members Of National Afro.American
Council Approce Policy Of Presi-
dent in Recognizing the Race.

The executive committee of the Ma
tional Afro-American Council, in ses-
sion at washington, passed a resolu-
ton Monday urging confirmation by
the senate of the nomination of DR.. w.
D. Crum, to be collector of customs at
Charleston, S. c., and adopted an ada
dress to the country on the race ques.
ton in general The address is sign.
I'd by Alex Walters, chairman of the
executive committee, Cyrus Field
Adams, secretary, and William A.
Pledger, acting president, National At
ro-American Council. The address in
part is as follows:
1T is evident to the thoughtful
among us that we are passing
through one of the most critical Pc
riods of our existence in this country.
A systematic effort has been inaugur-
ated on the part of the south which
has for it's object the withdrawal Of
the franchise from the Afro-Americans
Of that section and their reduction to
a position of absolute subserviency in
all the relations of life. 1t has been
openly declared by some of the most
prominent leaders of the south that it
was the intention of the trainers of
the new constitution to disfranchise
as many Afro-Americans as possible
and leave every Caucasian in full pos
session of the suffrage. The effect has
been that not only has the Afro-Ameri-
can been disfranchised, but also that
very large number of Caucasians, who,
previous to the adoption of these con-
stitutions, participated in elections.
have ceased to register and vote.
1--WE contend for our constitutional
rights on the ground that the right of
suffrage has been conferred upon it's
citizens by the federal government.
I'VE heartily commend the Afro
Americans Of Virginia, Alabama,
Louisiana and other states who are
seeking redress through the courts of
the land and we pledge them our NOR
al and financial support.
1--WE denounce the mob murders now
80 prevalent in this country.
1--WE call the attention of the coun-
try to a condition of service on many
farms in a number Of southern states
much resembling the old peonage sys-
tenn and ask for legislation looking to
the remedying Of the evil.
1--WE submit our protest against the
unfair practices in the transportation
Of passengers in southern safes, dis
eliminating unjustly against Afro
Americans; requiring of them the reg
ular rates of travel and privilege in
return the poorest accommodations In
carriage, and we invoke the exercise
of the powers of the interstate COM
merce commission to prevent dlscrlml-
nations in rates and accommodations
against interstate passengers.
1--WE appeal to congress for faVora'
Bile action upon one of the several
measures now pending therein for the
appointment Of commission to In
uuire into the condition Of Afro-Ameri-
cans of the country.
--%Ne heartily indorse the deliver
ances of President Rafsevelt with ref, :,
erence to the fitness for f>appse eraent'
to Office and the attitude of the fed
eral government toward all of its citi-
zens, regardless OF race or color. He
has impaired new life and vigor to
the time-honored principles and trad1-
tions of human rights and has given
hope and inspiration to a people strug-
Cling heroically beneath the burden OF
hate and prescription. We commend
Theodore Roosevelt to the affection
and confidence of our people, regard
less of party afdliation."