Iowa’s Colored Citizens.

Iowa’s Colored Citizens.

Report on the 1853 Iowa State Colored Convention held in Muscatine published in the Muscatine Journal (July 27, 1853)

Library of Congress. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.

Muscatine Journal

1891-07-27

Newspaper article

IOWA'S COLORED CITIZENS. --- Prohibition Will be Opposed by Them at the Next Election. --- WILL MEET IN A STATE CONVENTION. --- Democrats Will Endeavor to Force the Vote Out of the Republican Party, but Will Not Succeed. --- Des Moines, Ia., July 26. - [Special to THE BEE.] - The next convention of political importance in Iowa will be the only one called by the Colored Anti-Prohibition league of this state, to be held at Cedar Rapids, August 15 and 16 next. A secret circular has been passed around among the colored voters of the state. The principal actors in the movement are democrats. The colored anti-prohibition league was organized last year and is officered as follows: Charles Curtis, president, Marion; ; John Willis, first vice president, Dubuque; ; R. Broady, treasurer, Cedar Rapids; ; Charles B. Jones, corresponding secretary, Council Bluffs. In its call the circular says: "We appeal to every thinking colored man in the state to join us in this bold fight for personal liberty and use every honest means to defeat this farcical law called prohibition. We do not call this convention to further the cause of either of the two political parties; but it is for personal liberty, , believing as we do that prohibition is an imposition upon the people of Iowa; and we are opposed to every law that designates what a man shall eat, or drink or wear." The colored republicans of Iowa, however, like their white brethren, are too intelligent to desert their party on the single issue of prohibition, believing that any evils or weaknesses of the prohibitory law will be cured within party lines in good time. COLORED CONGRESS. A national convention of colored people is called to meet at Red Oak, August 13, 14 and 15 next. The head of the movement is J. C. Fremont, an eloquent and intelligent colored orator, and the prospects are good for a large attendance. All the well known leaders of the colored race will be on hand to direct the work and thought of the convention, which will be non-partisan in character and will discuss the situation of the colored people in this and other countries from the standpoint of the colored race.

Muscatine

IA

USA

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1891.IA-08.05.CEDA