Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-02-22
The COlor,d Convention and Gov Wood.


Colored Convention, of which H. +. Doug
lass was chosen chairman, TO wait upon Gov.
WOoD, aud consult with him upon matters Of
special importance TO them. Tho parties
met Jan. l7th. The chairman stated the oh
ject for which they had met, aud Mr.. w. II.
DAY, OF Lorain, addressed the Governor as
iollows.--
"GovERNoR WooD;--lt devolves upon
me, tile hunihlest of this committee, to sprak
10 you of some nIutiers connected with the
interests of the coored people of Ohio, but
especially, TO introduce TO your attention,
that subject of all others to US the uiost in
ieresling at the present time, namely, the
Elective Franchise, aud TO nsk that we nluy
be permitted TO use the weight of your great
name TO obtain for us this boon. We look
around upon our white fellow-c citizens, and
behold them enjoying privileges of which we
are deprived; among them is the elective
franchise. And when we see the train of
blessings which flow to them from the use of
this privilege of the citizen, we, being men
and citizens, and standing with them within
the walls of this Temple of Freedom, and
ourselves, why of these privileges we nre
deprived, aud have come to day, TO ask your
uid TO uitaln them.
alt is doubtless known to your Excellency,
TINT in Ohio there are thousands of men
worthy IN character, aud upright IN aim, who
love the State of their birth and adoption as
dearly as you love il, aud who stand us
rendy TO defend IT, They have helped 10
make this State great they hive been obc-
dent TO lis laws; they have poured their
wealth into the Golfers Of the State, aud they
have done it cbeerfully, and yet, of the
rights based upon the Constitution they have
been deprived; The Elective Franchise has
been withheld from them, and the Constitu-
tionnl Convention now in session are soon
TO determine whether the right shall he fur
ther withheld or not. We ask, whether in
these important circumstances, you will not,
in writing, give us your opinion in favor OF
this our claim, and permit us 10 use il with
that Convention for thih end.
ave feel, sir, the more at liberty TO speak
TO you in behalf of this right, because the
extension Of that right is in accordance with
the Democracy so eloquenily urged by the
Hon. William Allen, Of our own State,
which asks nothing but what il comedies
And comedies nothing but whatit demands.
destructive only to despoiism, il is the sole
conservotor of liberty, labor aud properly
II is the sentiment OF freedom, OF equal rights
and equal obligations. 1t is the law of ma
ture pervading the law Of lnnds." "Yes,"
fDognaIiimous, sublime sentiment, which cx-
pands our affections, elllarges the circle of
syupailIies, and elevntes the soul of man,
until, claiming an equality with best, he re-
jecis, az unworthy OF bis dignity, any poliii-
cal immuniiies over the hunblest Of his fell
lows" We respectfully ark the practical ac-
acknowledgement of this principle. la
We need not here introduce 10 your Ex-
cellency the statistics ia our possession TO
show the amount OF properly colored people
in Ohio possess; we can leave these with
you for your consideration, at your leisure.
But we beg leave 10 present TO your Excel
lency the testimony of the former Secretary
of State, in regard to the improvement OF
the colored people Of Ohio, during the last
ten years: .
SHOW, (l6i9) they have many and well
conducted schools theyiave teachers of re-
spectacle intellectual aud moral qualifica-
lions; there are many who command gene
raj respect and confidence for integrity and
intelligence they call and conduct conyen-
lions and associations of various kinds with
order and intelligence; questions of general
and proper interest have become with them
topics Of discussion and converEatoII-in
few words the intellectual aud moral tone Of
their being is ameliorated.'
"The Secretary Of State, certsinly had no
reasons for stating anything else than his un-
biased opinion; and certainly, being State
School Superintendent er ofieio, cannot be
mistaken US 10 what lie thus utfirns.
"PernIit me, also, TO read To you this testi-
nony Of u very distinguished and observing
man, in reference to the use which colored
men make of the Elective Franchise when
granted them:
WAsHIseToE, Msy l6il, 1850.
"DEAR sIR:-Your letter of the 9th inst,
has been received. l reply to it cheeriully
and with pleasure.
at il my deliberate opinion, founded up
on careful observation, that the Right OF
Suffrage is exercised by no citizens OF the
State OF New York more conscieniiously or
more sincerely, or with more beneficial re-
suits TO society, than il is by the electors Of
African descent. sincerely hope that the
franchise will before long hs extended, as it
justly ought, TO this race, who Of all others,
need il most.
81 am very respectfully, your obedient
servant. WILLIAM II. SEWARD"
awe ask not that the elective franchise
be based, as in New York, upon the amount
of property a man may own, for we ask II
with those attendants only which ye impose
upon yourselves hut we do ask that we
may have the benefit Of such testimony IN
our fhvor. Ii applies os well TO colored
men in Ohio, as TO colored men in New
York.
awe ask not, sir, that you will mike the
elective franchise the subject of special
message 10 the Constitutional Convention
for thai might be termed Executive inter-
ference; we nsk not that you will commu-
nicate with the Legislature in regard to II,
although this would be within your peculier
province; but we simply ask the privilege Of
using the influence OF your namo with that
Convention, in favor of our right TO this
great boon. We respectfully ask. 10 not