Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-01-29
ENDORSED BY
AFRO-AMERICANS
Executive Committee National Council
at Washington Endorse Roosevelt.
DENOUNCE MOB MUl
MURDER
Protest Against Jim Crow Law In South
ern States, and Call Attention to Con.
diti0nS On Farms.

Washington. Jan. 26.-The executive
committee of the national Afro American
council in session here today passed a reso-
luton urging confirmation by the Senate
Of the nomination of DR.. w. D. Crum, to
be collector Of customs at Charleston, s.
O., and adopted an address to the country
on the race question in general. The adj
dress is signed by Alexander Waltes,
chairman of the executive committee,
Cyrus Field Adams, secretary, and Will
lam A. Pledger, acting president, national
Afro American council The address in
part is as follows:
cit 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 well being of one
eighth of the population Of the United
States and scarcely to less degree the
whole population of the country are pless'
ing for treatment as never before. A
systematic effort has been inaugurated on
the part of the south which has for its OBJ
ject the withdrawal of the franchise from
the Afro. Americans of that section, and
their reduction to 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 constitutions to disfranchise as many
Afro. Americans as possible and leave
Caucasians in full possession oft the suffrage.
The effect has been that not only part the
of Afro. Americans have been disfranchised
but also that large number of Caucasians
who previous to the adoption of these con-
stitutions participated in elections, have
ceased to register and vote.
"We contend for our constitutional
rights on the ground that the right of suf-
frage has been conferred upon Its citizens
by the Federal government.
"We heartily commend the Afro-Ameri-
cans of Virginia, Alabama, louisiana and
other States who are seeking redress
through the courts of the land and we
pledge them our moral and financial sup
port.
"We denounce the mob murders.
"We call the attention of the country to
the service on many farms in number of
the Southern States resembling very much
the old peonage system and ask for legis-
lation hooking for the remedying of the
evil.
eve submit our protest against the un-
fair practices in the transportation of pas
sengers in Southern States, discriminating
unjustlv against Afro.Americans, requir'
ing of them the highest rates for travel
and providing in return the poorest &C.
commodations in carriage; and We invoke
the exercise of the powers of the Intel
State Commerce Commission, by that
tribunal, to prevent determinations in
rates and &C accommodations against Inter-
State passengers.
"We appeal to Congress for favorable
action upon one of the several measures
now pending therein for the appointment
of commission to inquire into the condl'
ton of the Afro Americans of the country
"We heartily endorse the deliverances
of President Roosevelt with reference to
the fitness for appointment to office, and
the attitude of the Federal government
toward all of its citizens, regardless of the
race OF color. He has impaired new life
and vgor to the time-honored principles
and traditions of human righs apd has
given hope and inspiration to a people
struggling heroically beneath the burden
of bate and prescription. We commend
Theodore Roosevelt to the affection and
confidence of our people regardless OF party
affiliation."