Franklin's paper the statesman., 1911-09-16
National Independent 0rganIza-
tion to Continue Work.
THE CITIZENS RIGHT TO VOTE.
Great Equal Suffrage Convention at
Annual Session In Boston DseIarss
War on Race Determination by
State and National Governments.
Remedy>For Lynohins Suggested.


BOston.-No meeting held in the In
terest Of the civil and political well be-
ing of the colored race in the United
States has equaled in attendance, en-
thusiasm and earnestness that of the
National Independent Political league
recently held for three successive days
in Boston. Men of influence in bust
ness, church. state and in the profes-
sions took part in the program Of ex-
ercises throughout the session and ex-
pressed their determination to continue
the battle for the, civil and political
enfranchisement of the race.
President John II. Clifford, editor of
the Martinsburg CIV. Va.) Pioneer
Press in his annual address covered
almost every phase Of the situation
which confronts the colored people In
regard to their rights as citizens and
Of the lack of interest in right. justice
and the enforcement of the war amend
ments to the federal constitution ~
manifested by the state and national
governments.
He spoke In part as follows:
There is no Negro problem in this eoan-
try. Tho only problem h the white naan's
problem. and the problem IL, Has the
white man enough of the religion of Jesus
Christ in him so that he will treat the
black man n fellow man and as 4
brother?
The Republican party and the country
owe the coiored man a greater debt Of
gratitude than he owes either the party
or the country.
1t Is the duty Of the colored man at this
crisis In his development to study condi-
tons carefully and to vote according to
his best conscience and Judgment. to be
independent In his political activities.
We denounce the attempts to limit the
suffrage SO that those who have = spsci-
fled amount of property or white face
may vote. We denounce all laws ordi-
nances. regulations and decisions Of courts
which separate between man and man on
the basis OF race or color.
Who pardoned the peonage murders Of
our peoples lives and liberty but Presa-
dent Taft? Who put every Negro once
holder in the south out Of once to please
the Negro hating south? President WILL
liam Howard Taft. Who was II that told
the president of Fisk university that the
colored people are = distinct class and
must be so treated? Your Republican
president. dubbed by that section BILLY
Postum" Who was It that ordered dis
charges Of our soldiers At Brownsvills? ?
Mr.. Taft.
When sixty odd innocent Negroes were
butchered like hogs in Texas in July. 1910.
show me word OF condemnation from
your Republican president. 1 am frank to
say am too distinct" to own him.
Mr.. Tafts advice to us how to be friend
ly with the south recalls to me Theodore
lsooseveits advice 10 the English people
how TO treat their colored subjects In
Egypt. Did he not dine and wine south
ern iynchers at the White House? II was
he who discharged and disgrAced tho very
soldiers who saved his life in Cuba. In
ciudinK Sergeant Mingo Sanders. who d.
vided his hardtack with him. All that the
Negro il in rascality. lasciviousness and
everything mean and low Mr.. Roossveits
color taught him. Many white men WIN
be begging Negroes to plead their Gauss
before 4 just God. and Theodore Rooss-
welt will be one OF them and Mingo San
dsrs his mediator.
The votes of colored men have kept the
Republican party in power and made II
possible for II to protect the ''interests'
and produce muItimiilionairss. while II re-
duced the Negro to tho position of . po.
iiticai slave. Race solidarity In politics
has not proved a blessing to tho colorsd
citizen. 1t gained for us the contemp,
and Opposition OF the Democratic party
In most places. while 1t failed to hold the
Republican party trus to its black allies.