The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-15
REMARKS OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS.

The following remarks of Frederick Douglass
in the late colored National Convention have
the ring of true metal
Mr.. Frederick Douglass asked the indulgence
Of outstanders and bystanders, as we were yet
in infancy; we were crawling to-day, falling
down and getting up again, and hoped they
would be looked upon as children, not as full
grown men. The meeting was to-day not very
orderly, but there was a struggle for an aim
and while there was an aim, he would have
faith to reach it. We are the hewers of wood
and drawers of water now, yet the tendency was
to sink US deeper, for we are being elbowed out
of every business that promises to be lucra-
tive one. We are trying to do something-God
knows what it will be; but have been trying
to have an Industrial College established, and
think that one can be established, if we so will
it. Let it be done by my plan or your plan, so
it is done, / am prepared to thank God.
Since the proposed establishment of a Col
lege, the Anti-savery papers, who had before
not noticed US, now assign US a place in their
columns 1t was alleged that it was impracti-
cable-but this is practicable there is in the
State of New York College, well regulated,
having Professors who say they are ready to
educate the pupils we may send them. The
workshops are needed, and could be established
for about FIVE thousand dollars, so as to furnish
US workers in iron, copper, brass, and leather.
A voice. And in gold.
Yes, and in gold. The money has not vet
been raised and let some who have made prom
ises to contribute to this industry, stand up and
say why they did not do so. You must get the
Industrial College into the hearts and hands of
colored people; we have tried to do so, but have
met with opposition, strange to say, by the
Abolitionists themselves. If we are defeated,
thr a hrl, ,,afo l. L
done it.
From the assurances made to me by Mrs.
Stowe, [ fully expected that on her return we
should have sufficient funds to make start in
the College; but the Garrisonian Abolitionists
had sent her packs of letters, and used their
papers to prevent the contribution of funds to-
wards it. They argued that we should not have
such al Institution as long rs here were slaves
in the country; but in this think they had the
cart before the horse, for it is my impression
that every blow struck by blacksmith at the
North lightens the chains Of the three millions
held in bondage at the South. He thought that
he could have collected ten thousand dollars,
but he had not the time, for he had large
weekly paper to control, one that was formerly
partially supported by the Abolitionists but
they had withheld their support, because the
right to vote as well as to talk was advocated
Al ieo SoiuAHo. SOiOioo pcopic Tcdu tiic I<cuy-
err in Philadelphia the Herald in New York,
but they did not sustain their own papers.
He denied that the College was proscriptive
in its character. 1t originated with colored peo-
Pile; but must the odium of our complexion eter-
nslly attach itself to all we do? We do not pro-
pose it because we are colored. but because we
are in certain condition; for, 60 where we will,
we are met with an inveterate prejudice-and
the lower you go down, the more you meet the
prejudice. Go down to the lowest man, and
he will want a man under him. Go down,
down, down, to the Irishman, and he will have
a mayer under him. He knew it was easier for
a colored man to get his son in lawyers office
than in blacksmith shop. Our object should
be to make gentlemen, who could by their merit
be placed on the same level with a white man,
and not to be admitted to his parlor by mere
sympathy. He knew there was mechanical
genius in the colored man, for the best speci-
men of naval architecture that foated on the
Chesapeake, seventeen years ago. the George
Washington, was built by a coored man, who
WIS respected by every carpenter in the city,
although in slave State, because, when they
got into a quandary, they could obtain informa-
ton Of old colored Stephen.