The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1912-08-22
Statement From
Colored Delegation
of the National Progressives COnven-
tion at Chicago, August 9TH, Set
ting Forth the Truth as Regards
the Contests From tho South.

N'ioi' heiu III SnlcdSO, August Jth,
9th and 7th, 1912, in order to correct
certain erroneous and misleading
statements sent out by the press TO
the country at large, and at the same
time, In order to urge upon all Amer
lean citizens the support Of the Pro-
gresslVe Party, do issue. the following
statement:
For the first time in the history of
the country, oolored citizens of the
North and East have been sitting as
delegates In great National Conven-
tion, freely participating in every
function Of the same. privilege here
tofore enjoyed only by the colored del
egates from the South. This recogni-
ton and participation of the colored
delegate forever fixes his status as a
Charter Member Of the Progressive
Party;-a New Political Party-which
knows no North, no South, no East,
no West, no Race, no Greed, no Sex
but only Anne rican Citizenship as a
party requisite.
Lilly Whitism.
BY reasons Of irregularity and nom
compliance with the call issued for
the State Convention the State of Flor
ida-in which were held two conven-
tions, one colored and one white-was
denied representation upon the floor
of the National Convention. In the
State Of Mississippi, where two con-
ventions were also held, one a mixed
convention of colored and white. and
the other white only, the mixed delega-
tiOn was denied admission and the
white delegation was seated; the mix
ed delegation admitting that they did
not claim the legality Of their cCnven-
ton, because they did not meet in
compliance with the authorized call
But, in seating the white delegation
by vote of II to 16, the Committee
on Credentials in their report, con-
demned the action of the Provisional
Chairman, who issued his call to
whites only, in the following Ian
guage: eve regard the Fridge dele
gates as entitled to seats in this con-
vention, but disavow that part of the
cali contained in the word white"
We approve the position taken in the
letter addressed to Julian Harris, of
Georgia., by Theodore Roosevelt
which said report of the Committee
on Credentials was approved and unan-
imously adopted by the National Con-
yention, thus putting the National Pro-
gressive Convention on record against
"a white mans party" On the Com
mittee on Credentials were two color
ed delegates, DR.. George e. Cannon,
of Jersey City, New Jersey, and julius
L. Mitchell, Attorney-at-Law, of Prov
idence, r. I.
The charge Of "lily-whitism" against
the National Progressive Convention
is false. Arkansas elected mixed
delegation, with five colored delegates:
four Of whom attended the Conven-
tion; Tennessee sent one, Kentucky
one, Maryland two and West Virginia
two. The charge of 'lily-whitism'
was made for the sole and specific pur-
pose Of engendering political strife
and embarrass mant and with the hope
of alternating the colored vote. No
heed, nor the slightest credc1ce should
be- given to the numberless, unfair,
distorted and malicious reports Of
hostile press sent out against the Ma
tional Convention of the Progressive
Party-a Convention whose genuine
enthusiasm, numerical strength, high
class delegates, braily, experienced
leaders, challenge comparison with any
similar body ever assembled within she
annals Of our country.
Committee Assignments.
The following colored delegates
served on the regular committees:
Committee on Crtdentials--Juli
l.. Mitchell Attorney-at-Law Provi-
dence, r. l.; DR.. Geo. E. Cannon, Jer-
sey City, N. J.
Permanent OrganizatiCm-Dr. S. G.
Ebert, Wilmington, Del; Joseph P.
Evans, Baltimore. Md.
NotificatiOn-Dr. J. r. Wilde-.
Washington, d. c.; J. r. Gleed, New
York City, seconded the nomination
of Governor Johnson for Vice-Presi-
dent. = S'Y.R
We hail with sincere rejoicing the
advent Of the Progressive Party and
the strong men who are leading the
same, seeing in them the men and the
long sought opportunity, for breathing
up the unkind and harsh political and