The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-09

ureed syst and
insults the living God in the of the oppressed
After few remarks from several OF those present. the
meeting adjourned
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF COLORED PEOPLE
IN CONVENTION.
ANAIGAMATI0N TAKEN INTO SERIOUS CONSIDER A.
IIoN-DEBATE ON THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL PRO-
JEoT.
The second annual convention of the National Council
Of Coored People commenced its session yesterday, at
in Dr. Pennington church, corner OF Prince and
Marion streets. The attendance limited to about
twenty prsons-includng the President dele gates and
spectators. Two colored ladies only gracsd the
blsge-the nclemency Of the weather, doubt pre-
venting the appearance Of the fair at the
ten. The delegates present at the opening Of the
venfon wereDr J. McDune Smith, President Frederick
Douglass, Philip A. Bell Ed. v. Clark, James c. Brown,
John D. stin, Stephen Myers, of New York; George T.
Downing Of Rhode Island John d. Bonner, of Illinois
Stephen Smith and Franklin Turner of Pennsylvania.
Total-11.
At12x O'Clock the convention called to order by
the President, who addressed the meeting upon the
object for which it convened, at length He
stated that in the month of October, 1853, it was
determined at Rochester among his coored brethren to
organize national council composed Of delegates from
every free State in the Union. The object Of this
ganization to improve the condition of the coored
and socially. That the colored was fit to occupy
any position in society he had not the slightest doubt
but there thing that all important to their
interest," which the establishment o; large indus.
trial school, all the arts and sciences of the age
might be impaired to the colored youth He very
veil that there was prejudice existing against the
employment OF colored men in the workshops Of the
whites; but this objection could easily be overcome II
the colored race would only, by industry and perse
verance excel in mechanical occupations and to this
end there should be industrial schools established all
the country, from where could graduate the very
best artisans writer's and artists that the age could
boast Of.
Dr. SMITH spoke at some length upon the rapid i'm
by the colored IN the free States
N all the arts apper,aining TO civlizet community,
and was OF opinion that IN few snort years all that
could be desired in the way Of advancement would be
obtained If The coIoIed psopie themselves would only
take an interest in their welfare Their importance
race had increased wonderfully since 1924, (when
me first convention of free coored people held in
this city, and he felt perfectly certain thst the day
NOT far distant when all the world would acknowledge
the colorsd man equal Of the white in every
spect.
Downing was appointed TO that Office.
On motion, those present from the New York state
Council admitted to seats as honorary members
business committee, consisting o. Frederick Doug
lass, Franklin Turner, and John d. Bonner was then
appointed by the chair.
There being business before the body, by way Of
Amusement the constitution OF the Council, adopted
some two years ago AZ Rochester, was read by the
Secretary.
M MYERS asked the chair for information in regard
the CHAIR stated that the States of New York. Massa
ehusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio Illinois,
Rhode Island, and Michigan, mad councils.
Mr.. MYERS did not why all States should not be
represented. There should be travelling agent
poyed whose business would be 10 establish councils
10 every free State Ia the Union The Know Nothings
had established their councils in almost every section of
the country in very short time, and he thought the
esored people might be a little mere progressive in
their movements, and thoroughly organize councils all
ever the free States.
The business committee here entered the room, and
reported that they had nothing to reporst present. bat
hoped before the close of the session TO present some
thing to the Council.
Mr.. BONNER then read the report Of the Committee
the Manual Labor SCHOOL, =
FRED DOUGLASS made some remarks upon the plan OF
establishing industrial school for the purpose OF
giving the colored masses practical education, and
Vending elevate the coored He hoped
would not be adopted nstantr, 80 tina. might be the
subject of several discussions.
Dr. PENNINGTON did not sfor his part, thiuk that the
Industrial school should be- confined TO the admission Of
eoored people only. He did not bear any malice TO-
wards Other races and would be better pleased to
an Industrial college where all people-Jhe masses
eoad be instructed than TO see one exclusively con-
Yale Coese but would not be Admitted as member Of
that institution although he received many substantial
benefits from the college, for which he vas thankful
education at Yale College. to get it somewhere else.
The education he dearly priced he determined as
long as he hved 70 impart to his fellow men
One OF the brethren asked how much this industrial
college would cost
The CHAIRMAN announced that sS3 900 would serve
complete aud carry out the enterprise.
Mr. CLARK said il would be very foolish thing to s.
tablish mechanical school, there too great
preudce against colored in the workshops Of the
white for the coored to fully enjoy the benefit
that they ought He hoped that those that had money
saved up would the in establishing themselves
in business instead OF being porers and waters they
now are. IL all those who had morey would only ex-
pend IT as they should, why there would be manufsc
tories warehouses vessels and steamboats,, with CO.
leged men at the head.
Mr. MYERS In reply TO Mr. Clark said that without a
practical education there could be hope Of the pro-
Der advancement of the coIored IL has been
fully established that there quite good mechanics
erator lawyers editors and writer's among the colored
people Of tns country any the white can boast
Of he really believed that there coored men now
alive in this country who competent to fill the
he had not the abss.s doubt but what he could name
aeeored man who would fill the Office of President Of
the United States better than Franklin Pierce (Gres
sensation, conhned to IL persons.)
Mr.. DOUGLASS said, If any one Of the Council could
show him how the doors OF the white workshops
would be opened 10 colored children he would very
glad to hear him give expression TO his opinions For
his part he satisfied Of the importance OF the
prejudice would rissin the estimation Of his feilo men
until all equal in an intellectual social moral
Mr. pryyYs doubted whether the colored children coua
be brought to attend to industrial school, He sup.
posed that the State Councils could set up schools OF
their own at small expense, which would wer all
the purposes OF college or industrial school erected At
barge expense which would in every probability prove
an entire failure. He would be very glad to see an In
dustrh college provided IL WOULD succeed; but he
thought State schools would better and be
economical
Mr.. TORI Of Albany has taken deep interest in the
project, and fully satisfied that definite in
qutres should be made TO the probable likelihood OF
eeored persons employment though they
should receive good mechanical education There was
apreudice against the coored people mechanics be-
sides this he thought were no vacancies for add
skin was sable They should Consider the object with
much decide upon the point for its erection and
obtain such information In regard 70 the matter
fe 10 see some statistical the plan proposed