The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1916-10-28
J|MCROWISM
AND INJUSTICE
DENOUNCED
by National coIored CITIZENSHIP
Congress in Session at
Washington, D. G.
IN ADDRESS TO COUNTRY

me National Colored Citizenship
hlshts congress which met in WASH
lneton, u. e., closed a two DAYS SEES.
sion With the adoption of an address,
to the country. WV
Lynching, jimcrowism, segregation
and race prescription were denounced
Dy the two hundred DELEGATES from
all sections of the country.
The congress urged extensive mr.
ganlzatlon of the colored people to re-
sist determinations based on color.
II approved the work of the National
Equal Rights League along this line
Addresses to the Country.
The states of the Union where the
slavery existed, in time followed the
great proclamation by the enactment
VI statutes annulling it within their
several borders; and the national gov
eminent by the enactment of the 18th
amendment to the Federal Constitu-
ZION hnally put the power into Federal
agencies to prevent it's recurrence on
american soil. For many years after
the close of the Civil War peonage
was practiced in the South, which has
never become thoroughly reconciled
to the laws prescribing eoualitv of
citizenship.
Works of the South.
: This fact is seen in the widespread
EFFORTS to defeat the great purposes
OF the War Amendment, by the enact
ment OF laws making the disfranchise-
nent OF the race a practical reality;
oy provisions for the separation of
Col0red passengers from all other
racial elements on common carriers nv
proscriptive legislation for residential
segregation. The lynching of thor
sands of COlOred men and even women
charged with offenses never proven in
the courts OF justice, has become al
most national disease. These social
disorders are the aftermath of slavery.
ana we appeal to all fair minded men
and women, to the enlightened moral
forces of the country, to unite in
nationwide effort to correct these
abuses to the end that Justice NAV
prevail in all sections of orr Renuhlic
Capacity Of coIored Americans,
Fhe great progress OF the Colo-ed
race since the day, of their liberation
from bondage has been made in the
race OF stupendous difficulties in the
race OF hate and prejudice, proscrip-
ZION and injustice, and is all the more
remarkable because of the powerful
influence exerted by these evil
agencies. The race has greatly multi
plled IN numbers, and in usefulness.
1t mas reduced it's illiteracy to a. very
low percentage. It has multiplied it's
wealth in lands. In religious, educa.
tlonal and industrial movements. if
mas become an important factor in the
natlonal life with ever increasing ef
hclency. Wherever the door of on
portunity has been opened to them.
Colored Americans have demonstrated
their ability to meet the most exactinp
requirements of our civilization.
The Colored people have made valu-
aDle contributions to Science, Inven-
ZION, Art, and Literature, and their
achievements in our national wars
have maintained at high level the
best military traditions of this nation.
we desire to express to the friends
OF liberty and justice for all men
throughout this broad land, our CRATE
full appreciation for every service If
any character which they have rend-
cred in the past.
We seek nothing but justice, and
that equality Of rights and that equal
opportunity which are denied to none
OF the other groups in this country.
because of race.
Against Reactionary Movement.
We denounce the segregation of
Colored employees in the civil service
OF the Federal government as I'M
American, unjust, a wicked. shameful
and dlsgraceful abuse of power.
We denounce the spirit of those So
called representatives of the people
in the halls of Congress, who are con-
stantly seeking to decitizenize the
Colored race by the introduction Of re.
dictionary legislation which belongs to
a past age, and which the great body
of the American people have outgrown.
Racial Organization, Opposing segre-
cation.
We call upon the leaders of our race
in every section of our country to
unselfishly guide the people through
the difficulties by which they are be-
set, and to organize them locally and
nationally to resist and combat denial
of civil and political rights and es-
pecially the policy of separation from
fellow Americans of every race in the
public life, opposing segregation, the
perpetrator of race prejudice.
Those who have wisdom let their
counsel be heard. Those who have
wealth, let them assist materially
where the need is great. Those who
have courage, let them stand and con-
tend for justice.
Signed by: Maurice w. Spencer,
Del: Rev. J. II. Eason, Penn; Rev.
J. 3. Wood, KY; VIM. Monroe Trot-
ter, Mass; J. II. Murphy, Md; Rev.
r. G. Ransom, N. j.; Mrs. Robert.
Googins. Mich; 3. w. Powell, CAL;
Rev. B. f. Sydes, r. l.; e. D. Willis
ton, N. c.; Rev. Byron Gunner, N. Y;
Mrs. S. L. Adams, ILL.,; Rev. s. L. Cor
rothers, D. c.; ]. L. Peaker, Conn:
Rev. w. H. Powell, Va. so
The Republican Publicity Associa-
ton at Washington has reports from
loo editors of newspapers repre-
senting every section of the United
States, and is confident that Hughes
and Fairbanks will carry every North
sern state and has an even chance In.