The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1916-10-12
Great 3-Days Convention
On Rights of Citizenship
By CoIored Congress and National
Equal Right Leagues

Washington, D. c., Oct. z, 1916
Coming from all section of the coun-
try, even from California, Colored
men and women assembled at the seat
of Congress in the 50th year since
Congress voted in favor of the 14th
amendment comforting citizenship up
on Colored Americans in a National
Citizenship Rights Congress Wednes-
day and Thursday in the beautiful
John Wesley A. M. E. Zion Church,
Rev. w. C. Brown, pastor, the con-
vention concluding on Friday with
the 9th Annual Meeting of the Ma
tional Equal Rights League, which
called the Congress.
The meeting was unique in the last
decade in that leaders who were in
opposition 10 years ago got together
for equal rights. 130 delegates from
21 states were present and spirit
of getting together prevailed.
The Congress, which before it ad-
journed endorsed the principles of the
Equal Rights League was opened by
Pres. Gunner of the League. Pastor
Brown offered invocation, Secretary
Trotter read the call, Judge E. M
Hewlett gave the address of welcome
followed by responses by J. H. Muir.
ply, Editor of the Baltimore Afro
American, Mrs. r. Goggins, of Mich.
]. P. Pear of Conn.,, and others.
Rev. Harvey johnson of Baltimore
was elected temporary Chairman, F
Morris Murray, of Va, Secretary ant
Thomas Walker of D. c. treasurer
Committees were appointed, M. W
Spencer of Del, being made chairman
on program, Editor Murphy on press
E. T. Morris of Mass. on credentials
addresses were made by VIM. Monroe
Trotter, presiding, Rev. B. Gunner
N. Y, Thos. Walker, D. c., president
of local branch and Rev. w. c
Brown, pastor, welcome and address
es, Rev. NJ. F. Sydes, r. l. and Rev
P. O'Connell, responses; invocation
by Rev. E. P. Divon of Mass; Music
was by the Glee Club of the Dunbar
High School.
On Thursday the Congress went in
to permanent organization with Rev
NJ. F. Sydes, pres; Rev. c. H. Step
teau, D. c., vice pres; T. Walker
D. c., treasurer; J. f. Churchman
N. j., recording secretary; VIM. War
ley, KY, corresponding secretary; Ell
bert w. Powell, Cal, sergeant a
arms; Rev. r. S. johnson, Va, chap
lain.
The Congress recomn ended to the
Equal Rights League consideration ot
further getting-together of race or
ganization and endorsed the princi
pies of the League. 1t also adopted
a ringing address to the country
framed by w. NJ. Spencer. This ad
dress declared the South was annul
ling the War Amendments by Jim
Crow cars, residential segregation
and disfranchisement laws and lynch
Ing of colored persons, even women
It denounced the Wilson federal seq
regation, and the color-line laws In
troduced into Congress, and called fol-
racial organizations for defense OF
rights and privileges in the following
clause:
We call upon the leaders of oul
race to unselfshly guide the people
and to organize them locally and ma
tionallv to resist and combat denia
of civil and political rights and es'
pecially the policy of reparation from
fellow Americans of every race in the
public life, opposing prejudice.
1t was signed by NJ. w. Spencer
Del; Rev. ]. H. Eason, Pa; Rev. j
z. Wood, KY; W. N. Trctter, Mass.
]. H. Murphy, Nd; Rev. R. c. Ran
som, N. j.; Rev. w. S. Gay, Conn.
Mrs. Robt. Goggins, Mich; E. W
Powell, CAL; Mrs. s. L. Adams, Ill.
Rev. NJ. F. Sydes, r. l.; E. D. VII
liston, N. c.; Rev. B. Gunner, N.
The speakers at the Thursday night
were Rev. C. NJ. Stepteau, D. Z.
Presiding, Prof. Kelly Miller, D. G..
Rev. r. c. Ransom, N. j., the semi
centennial orator who advised non
partisan negro party, William D
Brigham, Of Boston, Mass, Moderr
Day Abolitionist; Mr.. W. Spencer
who rood tba Address to the Coun