The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-21
YOUNG AFRICA IN CONVENTION.
National Convention Of Colored Americans,
Grand Rally Of Colored Folks at Phila-
delphia.
MEASURES TO PROMOTE THE CAUSE OF THE NEGRO.
&c. &c, DC.
Our Special Report.

resolution adopted New YORK at the national assam
bage held in May last met on Tuesday morning last at
Franklin Hall, Sixth street. Philadelphia when there was
very Large attendance Of the race. The convention
grew out of similar organization which at Roches
ter N " in July, 1853 its object being to deliberate on
The condition Of the African race the States of Ameri-
ca, and to consider and propose such will best
tend promote its welfare and elevate the social coud
ton Of its members
AT the assembling of the convention the certificates
election delegates handed in and Rev. Stephen
Smith chosen temporary chairman Davis Turner
acting secretary.
The call of the meeting issued by the Central Com.
mittee consisting of William j. Wilson, Stephen Smith
ard John w. Lewis, then read. 1t has already been
published in the HERALD.
On motion, the call endorsed by the meeting
motion then made (and it called up lengthy de.
bate as to the necessity OF W TO appoint committee of
three to examine the credentials presented Notwith-
standing considerable opposition, the motion prevailed
and j. T. Smith, Of Philadelphia Stephen Myers of New
York, and Rev. A. G. Beman, of Connecticut were APP
pointed after nomination by the members by the chair
Rev. J. c. BENAS then offered up appropriate
prayer, aad speeches made by several persons pre-
Eentials.
The CHAIRMAN led. congratulatng the members on the
unanimous response of the colored people to the call of
their delegates. Ae looked upon this meeting the first
mail hit the colin wherein is to be buried
the laws and customs of slavery its death blow has
struck, and Its coffin prepared and the prospects
ct the negro look up and brighten He continued with
earnest appeal TO the members to forget sectional diff
feence and to conduct their business that their de-
hberatons in going forth TO the world may command
hpect, and thus bring forth abundant and welcome
harvest of gain 10 the negro people at large He
cuded by bidding the members from altar hearty vel
come.
Rev. LEONARD A. GnuNIs of Massachusetts, followed
with few words. He thought THAI now, indeed, he
is 6orn'
Few. JAS CasiyElL. Of Philadelphia glad that his
home should be honoied to be the Dir place of
such an offspring. He thought that while something
had been DONE not much Of all has yet been accomplish
ed Past experience will teach and has showa wht in the
future must be done and from this day tue coored peo
pie not pared for the great struggle Making
speeches and adopting resolutions is not however the
way to improve The tace something practical is
needep and this convention stands the new laid
stene OF the work OF progress
The Committee Credentials then reported that there
were present from New York sixteen members-php A.
Bell. Of the Lnligacer; chas L. Williams; J. j. simons,
William G. Innis J. W b. smith, John Williams Henry
II. Beverly, John w. Hunter Edward Crosby Randall D.
kenney, jeremiah Powers, George Severe ind Rev. Dr.
Pennington.
motion then made to adjourn to two O'Clock.
noisy debate ensued, ding which the oft repeated calls
for "order by the chair totally disregarded which
was only allayed by tho withdrawal Of the motion.
motion to appoint committee Of one from each
State to nominate permanent officers, likewise called up
noisy discusson members requiring tina! ap-
pointmens be made until clock, to allow OF the meet
others urged ediate action. The motion carried
They afterwards reported the following names, which
were ndrpted:-
PyesidSt-Rev Amos G. Beman of Connecticut
We Fredents--Rev. l. A. Grunes ana William G. Nell,
81 om. o%ss h Dr. Gould sl Bias and John VIII
q. Beman, Of Connecticut
pureete, Of Philadelphia; and George Levsre, Of New
NorL.
The Convention then took a recess for one hour.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention met pursuant to adjournment, at ga
bcock when the permanently elected officers took their
pointed to propose business for transaction, and
ton OF J. W. Dufield committee of five appointed
statistics.
The minutes Of the morning session then present
ed and gave rise considerable opposition, made the
ground that the secretary read not from record Of
his own, but from newspaper report Their approval
at length laid over to the Wednesday morning
session.
The PRESIDENT here announced that the hall at present
occupied will need to be vacated at O'Clock for the
pufposes Of o concert.
motion was then n ado that when the convention ad
jourr adjourn to meet at the Philadelphia Institute
10 hold a business session.
member thereupen moved an amendment, that tbs
word business . be erased, and public - be inserted
In support Of his amendment he desired that an oppor
tuny be given to strangers to see the SIGHT.
Mr. sFEpaES SMITH, Ia opposition, sad-I think that
who have distance OF 200 or 300 miles, and
in me instances much greater distance, have come
for he prosecution of business and not to be running
well acquainted with the singing and singers of the city
The otgin al motion prevailed by large majority
then proposed TO appoint committee OF three
from various parts Of the Union 1t called up some
debate, Wien
FRED DOUGLASS rose. have not risen, gentlemen, to
discuss the propety of the appointment OF that commit
tee. hore that this convention viii so Tar aspect it
self and so far cons ider its dignity to absolutely
fuse 20 discuss every minor question that shall
about raising committees. Let us vote, we nave stunt
Gent iutelliaence to know ii we want committees Let
the o.estion he nut and do not let us have 80 much
talk On questions Of no Importance 1t seems to me
that have primary question to consider--one to
HAT ha.Y nd hn
rected That great question is to seeyif we have any
right TO be here at all; whether bene6ng our
selves by being here in the ty OF coored conven
ton This is Of more Importance. that there is
difference of opinion as 10 the wisdom OF holding the
secde these points, and ruling this can act on our
business
TIE question as to the committee put aud lost.
The convention met for its evening session at the Phi
hdelphia Institute AZ TX O'Clock, with a largely aug
rlented number Of delegates.
The reading Of the minutes having been disposed Of
CHARLES N. RAYMOND Of Mass moved that Miss Mary
Anne sIadd of London, Canada West be admitted to
seat a. corresponding member with all the privileges
Rev Mr. HoDeEs Of win iamsburg, rose in opposition.
believe that Miss Shadd Is not included In the call for
this convention cannot the consistency Of asking
Der admission here as sheis TO say the least not sub
c Of the United s Z, sls
70 attend to the business Of our people Let us not give
time to the discussion Of Questions q womens rights
great question before should be TO know whether We
have right 10 hold these meetings, and whether such
conventions will do any good to the colored man. We
by adjournment TO do business and II we have
20 in reality let US have something less Of speech max
ing otherwise shall not get through for month to
come. trust we shall do our own business we need
no help take It, from England, Ireland Scotland or
Wales.
Mr.. FnD DOUGLASS followed, favoring the admission
attach incor siderable Importance To the subject now
before us hmay strike some minds as being very local
and unimporant question whether she Is received
jected a. a member OF this convention. ! should
deeply regret for this convention to reject her
as corresponding delegate to tins assembly
The argument against II Is based fact tina. she Ia
Che en- beet OF another landthat of the citizens of
another rsalm--may appear to have weight but
iev,nr her condition in the light Of we'll known facts
Mink there IL very little force in that objection The
colored people Of the United states with those
NJ nd fhe n