Evening journal., 1906-10-24


ried is one Of the most common sources
OF crime We ask the State Legislature
to make such living criminal and punish
able by fines or imprisonment or both.
'Thnt In our efforts TO prevent demoral
izatlon aud crime. we invoke the hearts
cooperation OF all the homes, th'
churches. the courts. the schools, the
press and all good people everywhere in
our sincere and resolute endeayors for tht
protection OF women OF every race.
..rhat the question Of license or no H.
cense in the traffic Of liquors be submiA
ted to the voters OF the State.
"Thnt we recommend an increase in ths
policing Of the State both in the cities
and rural districts"
Appeal to the People.
The convention issued the following
letter to the public:
We the undersigned, IN the exercise OF
authority vested IN us by Convention OF
Coiored Citizens Of the state Of Delaware
held aa Dover on the 2Srd Of October 1906
issue the following statement explanation
and appeal to the general public.
We realize that there can be no gov
ernment without lay. and that the best
government Is that In which just laws
are most universally respected ana
obeyed.
While we have no direct share In the
! making of the laws under which we live
we believe they were made by honest men
for the good OF all people. We complain
not al the law, its Interpretation or ad-
ministratlon in this state. We have beer
allowed to labor and to enjoy the fruits
OF honest toll our persons and property
have been secure. No effort has been
made 10 humiliate and degrade US as
race. We have a voice in the selection OF
those who exercise authority over u.s. and
the negro accused Of crime has fair
chance IN the courts. The one instance IN
recena wears when the mob has asserted
itself 70 the subversion Of order is the
conspicuous exception TO the general rule
Delaware has thus far declined to foi'
/ low the example OF certain other states IN
dealing with what they are pleased to call
The Negro Problem. by unjust and op'
pressivc legislation
We prize these blessings OF liberty ane
purpose in our hearts that by no act oi
ours will we forfeit the right to claim and
enjoy them.
The Nation is being taught TO believe
that the negro is a dangerous element
detrimental TO the peace and prosperity
of the Republic He is held up to the gaze
of the world as a Vicious brute, destitute
OF morale and without intelligence save
such as panders TO the qualification Of NJ
lust. It is a falsehood born OF prejudice
and groundless hate. Prejudice is bhno
to truah and hate dehes It.
There are criminal negroes. however al
there are criminals OF all other races. II
Delaware. Of late. they have been muei
in evidence. and have given color 10 ih'
siander by furnishing instances OF shock
ing dcpravity. They are classed with ui
because OF the same color and simiia
soc,al condition. They are forced upon "a
bv circumstances but we repudiate uneh
We would express in terms OF unmitl
GATED horror and disgust our detestatoi
ana condemnation OF their crimes Their
ave brave and loyal men. pure and lover
women Of our race who suffer unspeak
able shame because OF the conduct
those VINO have tarnished their goo
name and destroyed their peace.
During two and half centuries OF con
tact with the American people the negr
was making for himself name for cheel
fulness. patience and ocility. To mis- II
dustry the nation owes a large share
its wealth. In patriotic devotion 70 h
cosintrv's cause. he has responded
every call to arms and freely shed h
blood in every war Is Il conceivable tn;
in a single generation there could be sue
a Transformation as some would have
thlnkg That the whole race has beeon
suddenly morose, insolent, vindictlv
, destructive7 Not sol The lazy. the wort
less. the unclean and criminal. are not
10 form the basis for a Judgment upon a
The masses are true to their ancient an
( established character. We represent Il
masses and I'm self defense send forth IN
, humble protest and appeal.
we appeal 70 the pulpit, the press u
noble mashood and the gentle womanhoe
Of the State to aid us in changing the cul
rent OF a. public sentiment which seen
n disposed to forget the virtues OF tne i''n
S because OF the vices Of the eomparatiVel
= few.
Il We are Americans. we have no oth'
?. hone on earth. We did not choose
p .,r,e. we cannot choose but stay. Com
{ veal or woe we must fuihii our destin
= bv the side or our white neighoor In IN
y land. 1t viii be woe for us II those VIII
e have been hitherto our friends can h. il
= duced by those who have always bee
: our foes 10 turn their faces from US.
Z we appeal to our own peopio 70 g.
= no occasion for suspicion or distrust. :
temnerate in speech. gentle in acio