The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-15
From the Colonization Herald
NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED
AMERICANS.

During the past month, the "National Con
vention of Colored Americans has been hold
ing its second annual meeting in our city. The
proceedings have been reported from day to
day in the daily papers, and have attracted
quite as much attention as is usually bestowed
upon conventions held for any purpose. We
are glad to record any attempt on the part of
the colored race to better its condition. The
day is not far distant when they will be called
upon to perform an important part in America.
Let intelligent colored men, then, prepare them.
selves and their children for the duties that will
devolve upon them.
The dominant question before the Conven-
ton had reference to the means of eIevating the
colored people in an industrial point of view.
The necessity of enlarging their circle of occu-
patons, if they wished to command the respect
of the whites, was admitted by ALL The.only
point in dispute was, the best method of obtain
ing this object. Many believed that the estab-
lishment of an Industrial College was the surest
and speediest mode of educating their people
to seree other occupations than the mental ones
to which they are now almost generally con-
fined. The report Of the committee appointed
at the last meeting was adverse to this, believ-
ing it to be impracticable at present. 1t tecom-
IDends a more systematic cooperation among
the colored business men of each neighbor-
hood; the establishment of social circles, in
which the industrial wants of their race, and
the means of supplying them, shall be discuss
ed; the incubation, by the clergy and all inAu-
entail persons, of disposition to learn trades,
and to attend to mercantile and agricultural
pursuits the creation of fund for the encour-
agement of beginners in business and, finally,
the establishment of trades unions and associa-
ted enterprises.
The report contains statistical information
Of interest. By it. we learn that the colored
people in the New England States have employ
ed in active business, exclusive Of agriculture,
a capital of $2,000,O00; in Ohio Illinois, and
Michigan, Sl,500,000; in New York and Penn
sylvania, So, OOO OOO and in California $500, 900.
1t also states that in the city of New York
they have 100000 in savings fund institutions
Though this document was finally adopted, a
large minority adhered to the project of an In
dustrial School
1t could not be expected that all Of the mem
bers of that, more than any other convention,
should manifest equal acquaintance with affairs /;
and we have not been surprised, therefore at
some things which were entertained by the
Convention itself; but we think the fnembers
have done themselves great injustice by the
proceedings In relation to colonization> A del
egatc, who was unable to attend the meeting,
had written a letter in relation to colonization,
and urging the claims of the Republic of Libe-
ria upon the Convention. This communication
was treated in the most contemptuous manner.
Some members wanted the letter returned :
others were unwilling to spend three cents upon
it; others wanted it burned on long pole, in
the presence of the Convention; and any GUAM
tity of matches were offered gratuituousiy to
start the conhagration.