Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-07-17
GUNNER ISSUES APPEAL.
Independent Political leagues Prsai.
dent SAYS Race Should Get Tooether.

Independent Political Leagues ,Prsai.
dent Says Race Should Get Together. ,
The Rev. Byron Gunner, president of
The National Independent Political
league, has issued from Hiilburn, N.
Y, an appeal to the league aud the
tolored race to rally and prepare to
hold national convention on the NAL
treatment Of colored Americans. The
appeal says: ... .s..
The time for the seventh annual meet
Ing OF the league Is fast approaching. and
we should now begin arrangements for Il.
Serious indeed were the conditions reIat-
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-
tan 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 a place
In the front ranks of those who are con-
tending for the full manhood rights and
pie, Our leagues answering fidelity to
these vital questions Ia 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
moro seriously lmperiled than ever be-
fore. The outlook Is threatening. and our
enemies never seemed more emboldened
and determined to accomplish our ruin
than now. &Tsa..r Is
Should tho present national adminlstra-
tion 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 fall to
force the Negro question" to the very
trent and to mako It tho gravest and the
greatest political and social issue of our
hay and generation. Present conditions
demand q 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
md act for themselves and to cast their
ballot with perfect freedom and indepen-
dence. .., W.
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 100000
pf 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 fsirest
deal and to withdraw from and oppose
my party that may prove recreant In its
duties and pledges In behalf Of our people.
II need never be expected that our
league can ever be made the property OF
any political party. We shalt continue to
educate and elevate among the masses OF
pur people the spirit of political inde-
REV BYRoN GUNNER, President. Hit
burn, N. Y. % i. %.r
". MONROE TROTTER. q cornhII. Bos-
ton. Corresponding Secretary. "z