The Appeal., 1903-05-16
The National Afro-American Council.
ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY.

1t is evident to the thoughtful among IN 2I,s
us that we are passing through one OF the
most critical periods OF our existence IN
concern the liberty and well being OF one
eighth of the United States and scarcely
to less degree the whole population OF the
country are res recorded rG Of
mankind teaches that in public matters
the equality Of each is the surest guar
antee of the liberty and safety OF all the
members of society. If it be true that the
country can not endure half free and
half slave it follows asa necessary coroi-
larry that the manhood of no state can
With safety ;ntd vo}ers 6e and
systematic effort has been inaugur-
ated on the part of the South which has
for it's object the Withdrawal of the ffan ran
section. and their reduction to a position
of absolute subserviency in all the rela,
tions of life. Even college graduates ana
denied the right of franchise. It has been
openly declared by some OF Ia: Icost
prominent leaders of the Stuth That 1t
was the intention OF the 1ramers ,iae % OF nts tne
Americans as possible and leaye
every Caucasian in full possession OF the
suffrage. The effect. has been that no not
only has the Afro American been dis
number of Caucasians, who previous to
the adoption of these. constitutions par
lister and vote, and thus the very founda-
ftions of republican institutions have been
rendered insecure.
We contend for our c9nstltu!1Qnatt @ a.
suffrage which is the basis OF the lndi-
yidual sovereignty of the American citi-
zen which in turn is the basis OF the ag-
gregate sovereignty of the whole body e9ti
polite, has been conferred upon its c1t1-
lens by the Federal Government. The
powers of the Federal Government were
not conferred by single state put ny an
eminent can enforce the provisions OF the
Constitution.
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
we denouhce 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
bling very much the old peonage. system
and in violation Of the Thirteenth Amend
ment to the Federal Constitution, and ask
for legislation looking to the remedylng OF
the evil. a. -
We submit our protest against the un-
fair practices IN the transportation OF
IN Southern state states dlscrm
requiring Of them the highest rates for
travel and providing in return the poorest
accommodations in carriage; and we IN
woke the exercise Of the powers of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, by
that tribunal, to prevent discriminatlons
in rates ard 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 commission to in
quire into the condition of the Afro
Americans of the country.
We heartily endorse the de1iverances OF
President Roosevelt with references to
the fitness for appointment to office, and
the attitude OF the Federal Government
toward all Of its citizens, regardless OF
race or color. He has impaired new life
and vfgor 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 affiliatfon.: - ~ $s.Es..-.5.z
: ALEXANDER WALTERS,
Chairman Executive Committee.
CYRUS FIELD ADAMS,
5.s.S s. Secretary.
< ( IS WILLIAM A. PLET GER.
Acting President, National AFRO american
Council. ss