The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-07-17
GUNNER ISSUES APPEAL.

Independent Political Leagues Prssi.
dent Says Race Should Get Together.
The Rev. Byron Gunner. president of
the National independent Political
league, has issued from Hillburn. N.
Y, an appeal to the league aud the
cOlored race to rally and prepare to
hold a national convention on the NAL
treatment of colored Americans. The
appeal says:
The time for the seventh annual meet
ing Of the league Is fast approaching. and
we should now begin arrangements for 1t.
Serious indeed were the conditions relat-
ing to our race and country that made
necessary the birth and mission of our
league, but existing conditions and the
immediate future outlook respecting our
racial and national affairs are incompara-
bly, more serious than at any time during
the past fifty years. And never has 1t
been more imperative that Negro -Ameri-
can thinkers and voters should get to-
gether than today.
The National Independent Political
league. though as an organization only
six years in the conflict. occupies place
in the front ranks Of those who are con-
tending for the full manhood rights and
for the political emancipation of our peO-
pie. Our leagues unswerving fidelity to
these vital questions is its unanswerable
argument for refusing to lay down our
arms and to retire from the battlefield.
The south Is in the saddle" and the
most vital interests of our people are
more seriously imperiled than ever be-
fore. The outlook Is threatening. and our
enemies never seemed more emboldened
and determined to accomplish our ruin
than now
Should the present national administra-
ton and the white south and the acQuiesc-
ing north continue to persist In their work
Of segregation and other forms Of wicked
Injustice to our people they cannot fail to
force the Negro question" to the very
front and to make 1t the gravest and the
greatest political and social issue Of our
day and generation. Present conditions
demand a race organization among us
through which our people themselves can
best contend for their involved interests.
Such an organization must be made up
Of men and women Of the race who are
brave and courageous enough to think
and act for themselves and to cast their
ballot with perfect freedom and indepen-
dence.
Just such an organization IL the Nation
al Independent Political league Having
entered the political field in defense of our
oppressed people, We shall not hesitate
when necessary to attack and fight any
man or set Of men or any party or meas
ures whose principles and efforts may
tend to endanger the war amendments
or to work any injustice to the 10000, ,00C
Of our Negro American brethren. We
shall. as In the past. continue to reserve
the freedom to work with whatever party
which will give our people the fairest
deal and to withdraw from and oppose
any party that may prove recreant In its
duties and pledges in behalf Of our people.
1t need never be expected that our
league can ever be made the property OF
any political party. We shall continue to
educate and elevate among the masses OF
our people the spirit Of political inde.
pendence.
REV. BYRON GUNNER. President. Hill.
burn, N Y.
w. MONROE TROTTER. 2 CornhiIl. Bos.
ton. Corresponding Secretary.