The Omaha guide., 1932-10-22
Democrats
Hold Mo. State
Convention
(By Harry Lelandl
President, Nebraska Democratic
Club.

Some time ago | was invited
by DR.. VIM. Thompkins Of Kansas
City. something unheard Of before.)
A Negro State Democratic Conven-
ton, to be held at Jefferson City, No,
October 18th, 1882
OF course I did not want to miss
this opportunity Of attending the first
Negro Democratic Convention eve
held in history, 50 on Saturday, Oct.
18th, Mrs. Leland and I left for JEFF
ferson City, where we received the
most agreeable surprise Of BUR lives.
DR.. Nm. j. Thompkins, of Kansas
City, through his untiring efforts had
called together Negro Delegates from
go Counties Of the State Of Missouri
for the purpose Of holding the first
Negro Convention in my and our
life time.
4LC LOAhEAlLAJn was LdAAGA ~ OL1EE
at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, from
temporary organization, they went in
to a permanent organization, DR..
Thompkins was elected permanent
Chairman for a period Of Four years,
his election was by reclamation. To
DR.. Thompkins the Negroes of Miss
ouri owe a debt Of gratitude that they
can " repay.
1t was through his untiring efforts
that the Negroes Of X. o., Mo-, have
one of the most modern and best
equipped Hospitals in the United
States, presided over BY a very emmi-
nent and able Negro Physician, DR..
Miller. We had the pleasure OF in
speeding this hospital and found it
neat, clean and equipped with the lat
est equipment known to modern
science, this is the hospital that was
promised to the Negroes by the Re
publicans for the rast is years, just
promised, and now q dream made pos
sible by the Democratic regime Of
Missouri.
After the Convention had adjourned
all delegates and others attending the
convention, retired to the Park where
a splendid barbecue and program was
held, the assembly was addressed by
Congressman Regain of Arkansas, new
er listened to a more wonderful or
masterful address in all my life.
Congressman Regain stated that even
though the Negroes had fought the
Democratic party for So years, the
Democratic party was more than will
ing to meet the Negroes half way, and
: also said that the Democratic party
would give to the Negroes more than
empty promises, that they would see
to it that the Negro would receive ma
; terial things, things that would be
Of aid to the estire group.
DIR. Thompkins responded to Con-
gresham Regain, in a very able man
ner, saying in part, go back to your
: People Of the Southland and say TO
them that the Negroes has awakened
to the fact that they cannot fight a
: people and expect favors of that peo-
pie, tell them that Missouri, Nebraska
and many, many other states are go
I ing to cast their lot with the Demo-
cratic party and should that Party be
victorious they viii then ask them for
the reward that they will have then
earned, and it will then be up to the
Democrats to deliver, which he was
sure they would do.
In my address, 7 said to that gath
ering OF Negroes that the Negroes VI
Nebraska was away out in the front
ranks fighting for Democratic victory
in November, and that before another
/, year would roll around I was sure We
in Nebraska would hold a State Con
vention, Shall we fellow Democrats 7?