The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1913-07-18
BIAS OF FEDERAL. [, :
SUPREME COURT
Highest Legal Tribunal Issues
...'- Color Line Decision.
THE STRUGGLES OF A RACE

AnnuIment Of Time Honored Civil
Rights Act Causes Nation Wide Un-
rest Among CoIored Americans.
Come, Let Us Reason Together, u
Ipse Dixit Of Militant Leaders.
Pittsburgh.-A large mass meeting
Of colored people was held in Wash
ington park auditorium July under
the auspices Of the INSTRUMENTATION.
al Colored Ministerial association of
Pittsburgh and vicinity for the pur.
pose Of expressing indignation con-
corning the recent decision of the
United States supreme court.
The meeting adopted resolutions
calling the colored people throughout
the country to cooperate in a general
movement to procure adequate pro-
lection against the many wrongs from
which the race suffers.
The meeting was presided over by
the Rev. w. L. Lee. D. D., pastor of
the John Wesley A. M. e. Zion church
and president Of the Interdenomina-
tional association. Rev. P. A. Scott,
d. D., pastor of the Wylie Avenue A.
M. Il church and president of the
Methodist ministers conference of
Pittsburgh, was chosen secretary.
Most eloquent and instructive ad-
dresses were delivered by DR.. J. 81.
Dwelle Of Braddock, Pa, Attorney
Robert L. Vann and DR.. Israel 8. Lee
Of this city. In all these addresses
the growing discrimination against
tho Negro, the awful cruelties perpe-
trated upon him In all parts of the
country and the spirit that actuated
the decision Of the supreme court were
condemned in the strongest terms.
The following resolutions were unani-
mously adopted by the large and en-
thusiastic gathering:
Whereas, The supreme court Of the
United States recently handed down q
decision declaring the fourteenth amend
ment to the constitution of the United
States Of America, known as the civil
rights bill. to be unconstitutional and
therefore void, q decision calculated to
serve notice upon the Afro-American Of
tho subtle determination on the part Of
tho powers that be to deprive the Amert-
can Negro Of all his rights and privileges,
benefits and immunities contemplated in
the scope Of American citizenship. such
as are enjoyed by members of other race
varieties, from whatever shores they
come, no matter how short their residence
q IN ~ hut
whatever to the best good of the body
politio Of this nation; and,
Whereas. It Is plainly to be seen that
this decision belongs to the same family
Of the many serpentine acts Of legisla-
ton and judicial decisions, acts Of dis
elimination and other brutalities and
atrocities that seem to characterize the
dominant race in it's attitude to and treat
ment Of the Negro; and.
Whereas. It Is our belief that we have
exhausted all the resources at our COM
mand in our efforts to appeal to the high
est reason and sense Of justice Of the
American people. with a view to secur-
ing, in q measure at least our constitu-
tional rights as American citizens, but
all In vain; and.
Whereas, The American people are not
lacking in evidence as to the merits of
our claim to the fullest enjoyment of ev-
cry privilege and benefit guaranteed by
the constitution Of the United States to
every American citizen, in the face Of
which facts their persistency in the un-
toward treatment Of the Afro-American
10 difficult Of any other construction than
that Of q subtle purpose and intent to
humfliate, crush and, in ordinary words,
to reduce him to the condition Of q thing
rather than q man; therefore be It
Resolved. That 1t is the sense Of this
meeting that the time has fully come
when the Afro-American should rise up
people to the effect that they may know
that we know we are American citizens
in the fullest sense Of the term. whether
others will concede 1t or not. At least
four times greater a per cent Of US than
Of any other racial branch Of American
citizens can trace our ancestry back at
least ten generations on American soil.
That We know our rights as citizens un-
der the constitution as adopted In 1778 re-
gardless Of any subsequent amendments,
and that We here serve notice on the
American people that we shall demand
our rights under the constitution Of the
United States, and that we will accept
nothing short OF their fullest recognition
and bestowal. For these We propose to
contend to the death and will no longer
allow ourselves to tamely submit to any
upon our rights. nor do We pro-
pose to suffer and die individually and In
periods and communities. states or sec
lions that suit the prejudices and caprices
OF any; but, rather than be deprived Of
our liberties and rights. we propose to die
% q whole.
Be 1t further resolved, That his mass
meeting create q committee to communi-
cate with our people in the several states
Of this Union with a view to holding a
great mass meeting or convention in
Washington to be composed of at least
two delegates from each state. to be held
at such time and In such manner as may
be agreed upon.
The following committee was elected
to carry forward the provisions Of the
resolution: Reys. I. 8. Lee,