The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1903-02-14

It is evident to the thoughtful among
us that we are passing through one OF the
most critical periods OF our 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 pressing for treatment as
never before. The recorded experience Of
mankind teaches that in public matters
the equality of each is the surest guar
members of society. If it be true that the
country can not endure half free and
half slave it follows as a necessary -corot-
larry that the manhood OF no state can
with safety be divided, in nearly equal
parts into voters and nOIl-VoterS..
A systematic effort has been inaugur-
ated on the part of the South which has
chise from the Afro-An1ericans of that
section, and their reduction to a position
of absolute subserviency in al! the rela-
tons Of ife Even n cege hs~e b ana
denied the right of franchise. 1t has been
openly declared by some OF the ncost
prominent leaders of the South thst it
was the intention of the trainers Of the
Americans as possible and leave
every Caucasian in full possession of the
suffrage The effect has been that not
only has the Afro American been dis
number Of Caucasians, who previous TO-
the adoption Of these constitutions par
ticipated in elections, have ceased TO- reg
lister and vote, and thus the very founda,-
tions of republican institutions have been
rendered insecure.
We contend for our constitutional
Suffrage which is the basis of the indi-
yiduai sovereignty of the American citi-
zen, which in turn is the basis of the ag-
a1egate sovereignty OF the Whoi ifs n n;f
zens by the Federal Government The
powers of the Federal Government were
not conferred by single state but by all
of the states, therefore the National Gov
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
port.
We denounce the mob murders now so
prevalent in this country.
We call the attention of the country to
condition of service on many farms IN
a number Of the Southern states resem-
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 remedy1ns OF
We submit our protest against the un-
fair practices in the transportation of
passengers in Southern states, discrlm-
mating unjustly against Afro Americans;
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 discrimination
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 Tor
the appointment of commission to in
quire into the condition. of the Afro
Americans of the country.
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 mas
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.
ALEXANDER WALTERS,
Chairman Executive Committee.
CYRUS FIELD ADAMS,
Secretary.
WILLIAM A. PLEDGER.
Actifs; President, National Afro American
Council