The Appeal., 1903-07-18
The Nationa1 Afro-AmerIcan Council
ADDRESS TO The COUNTRY.

ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY
1t is evident to the tnougntIui 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 we'll 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
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 as necessary corol-
larry that the manhood of no state can
with safety be divided, in nearly equal
parts into voters and non-voters:
A systematic effort has been inaugur-
for it's object the withdrawal Of the fran
chse from the Afro-Americans of that
section, and their reduction to position
of absolute subserviency in all the rela-
tions of life. Even college graduates and
men of business and wealth have been
denied the right of franchise. 1t has been
openly dec1ared lar a. by some ON :,. OF tn: most
was the intention of the trainers of the
new constitutions to disfrarchise. as many
Afro 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
franchised but also that a very large
E9 " pfewieus to
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
rights on the ground that the right of
suffrage which is the basis of the ind-
vidual sovereignty of the American citi-
zen, which in turn is the basis of the ag-
gregate sovereignty of the whole body
polite, has been conferred upon it's citi-
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
ernment 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 remedYing of
the evil.
We submit our protest against the un-
fair practices in the transportation of
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
yoke the exercise of the powers of the
Interstate Commerce Commission, by
that tribunal, to prevent Determinations
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 for
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 has
given hope and inspiration to a 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 afti]iation
ALEXANDER WALTERS,
Chairman Executive Committee
CYRUS FIELD ADAMS,
WILLIAM A. PEET GER,
Acting President, National Afro american
Council.