William F. Butler
Encyclopedia
William F. Butler was an African American leader born in Jefferson County, Kentucky
, USA who became president of the Negro Republican Party
formed after the American Civil War
.
Speaking in Louisville, Kentucky
in 1867, Butler said "We claim ... a position of political equality with whites as a matter of right, as a matter of justice".
At the first convention of the Negro Republican Party, held in Lexington, Kentucky
in November 1867, he said "First we had the cartridge box, now we want the ballot box, and soon we will get the jury box".
Expanding on this theme, he spoke of the service of African Americans in the Union Army during the civil war, saying "We went out and fought the battles of our country, and gained our liberties, but we were left without the means of protecting ourselves in the employment of that liberty. We need and must have the ballot box for that purpose".
Later, Butler moved to New York City
, and was a member of the New York delegation to the 1872 Republican National Convention
in Philadelphia.
Jefferson County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of...
, USA who became president of the Negro Republican Party
Negro Republican Party
The Negro Republican Party is the name given to African American branches of the Republican Party formed in the southern USA after the American Civil War .William F...
formed after the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Speaking in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
in 1867, Butler said "We claim ... a position of political equality with whites as a matter of right, as a matter of justice".
At the first convention of the Negro Republican Party, held in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
in November 1867, he said "First we had the cartridge box, now we want the ballot box, and soon we will get the jury box".
Expanding on this theme, he spoke of the service of African Americans in the Union Army during the civil war, saying "We went out and fought the battles of our country, and gained our liberties, but we were left without the means of protecting ourselves in the employment of that liberty. We need and must have the ballot box for that purpose".
Later, Butler moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and was a member of the New York delegation to the 1872 Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
in Philadelphia.