The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-26
NATIONAL ABOLITION CONVENTION.

This Convention assembled at Syracuse, N
Y, 18th May. 1t was well attended. Lewis
Tappan, of New York, called the Convention to
order, and moved a temporary organization by
calling Joseph Plumb, of New York, to the
chair. A committee was appointed to repor,
names of officers for the permanent organiza
ton of the Convention. During the retirement
of the committee, Thomas B. Mccormick, for
merly of Kentucky, now of Ohio, addressed the
Convention. He gave a brief and eloquent re
cital of the facts of his persecution and virtual
expulsion from the State of Indiana, at the die
tation of the shareholders of Kentucky. The
Committee on Nominations reported the names
Of Joseph Plumb, of New York, for President
and Henry Catlin, of Pennsylvania, for Score
tary of the Convention. A Business Committee
was appointed, consisting Of William Goodell
Gerrit Smith, Lewis Tappan, Frederick Douglas,
and Samuel Salisbury, who, after consultation,
reported that an address had been prepared, and
would be presented on the opening of the after
noon session. Lewis Tappan, of New York,
made few felicitous remarks, embodying SEN
timents of radical reform. Lewis Tappan then
read letters to the meeting, from Francis l..
Capen, of Massachusetts, and Charles Stuart, OF
Canada. These letters were full of sympathy
and encouragement. James c. Jackson, OF
Glen Haven, N. Y, followed, in an address OF
much strength and point. Abram Pryne ad-
dressed the meeting in favor of using physical
force at the present crisis in Kansas Lewis
Tappan replied, advocating peaceful measures
to which Mr.. Pryne rejoined, asserting that
this is civil revolution, not moral one. VIM.
Goodell said that ballots are more effective than
bayonets. Frederick Douglas advocated risist-
ance at the proper time, which had not yet come.
On motion, the Convention adjourned until two
o'clock p. M.
afternoon Sessi0n.-Gerrit Smith, of the
Business Committee, reported an address to the
Abolitionists of the United States. Lewis Tap
pan read summary Of the address. On motion
for adopting the address, Frederick Douglas
briefly addressed the Convention, and introduc-
ed Peter H. Clark, of Ohio, who made remarks
in favor of adopting the address.
Evening Session.-Addresses were made by
Beriah Green, w. j. Watkins, and Frederick
Douglas. Lewis Tappan presented resolutions
Sumner, which were unanimously adopted by
the Convention,
Second day, Morning Session.-W. w. Chap.
man, of New York, moved that the Convention
nominate candidates for the Presidency and
Vice Presidency of the United States, at ii
o'clock A. M. Carried. Mr.. Taft, of New York,
addressed the Convention in behalf of Kansas,
Abram Pryne spoke in regard to that portion
of the address which refers to the exercise of
physical force in the defence of Freedom in the
impending crisis, and was followed by remarks
from Gerrit Smith, w. o. Duvall, David Plumb,
Lewis Tappan, and others. Mr.. Pryne moved
to amend the address, by making it assert, IN
equivocally, that we will sustain the freemen OF
Kansas, by force of arms, in defending them
selves against its assaults of the slave power.
William Goodell objected. He said thst one
object of this Convention was to obtain posses.
sion of the Federal Government, and with it to
suppress Slavery throughout the country-not
to arm ourselves and march to Kansas; Mr.
moved to amend the amendment by referring
the subject back to the Business Committee,
with instructions to make such changes as il
may deem proper. Gerrit Smith said the pro-
posal of Mr.. Pryne was inappropriate to this
Convention, and he moved to lay both the amend