The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-10-15

Colonization Society, and at its adjourn
me1t appointed the next annual Conven-
ton of the people of color to be held in
Philadelphia, on the first Monday in June,
1881.
At the present day, when colored con-
ventions are almost as frequent as church
meetings, it is difficult to estimate the bold
and daring spirit which inaugurated the
Colored Convention of 1880. 1t was the
right move, originating in the right quar-
ter and at the right time. Glorious old
Maryland, or, as one speaking in the view
that climate grows the men, would say,
Maryland region, which has pro-
duced Benjamin Banneker, Nat. Turner,
Frederick Douglass, the parents of Ira AL
drige, Henry Highland Garnett, and Sam.
Ringold Wards also produced the founder
of colored conventions, Hezekiah Grice
At that time, in the prime of his young
manhood, he must have presented the front
of one equal to any fortune, able to
achieve any undertaking Standing six
feet high, well-proportioned, of dark
bronze complexion, broad brow, and that
stamp of features out of which the Greek
sculptor would have delighted to mould
the face of Vulcan-he was, to the fullest
extent, working man of such sort and
magnetism as would lead his fellows where
he listed
In looking to the important results that
grew out of this Convention, the indepen-
dence of thought and selfassertion of the
black man are the most remarkable. Then
the union of purpose and union of strength
which grew out of the acquaintanceship
and mutual pledges of colored men from
the different States Then the subsequent
conventions, where the great men we have
already named, and others, appeared and
took part in the discussions with NANTES
tations of zeal, talent and ability, which at
tracted Garrison, the Tappans, Jocelyn,
and others of that noble host, who, drawing
no snIaIr PoIrr0t. ---~ t--~-'-O-- - jan
i Il,vi, bloel. brothror in bonds did manfully
fight in the days of anti-slavery which tried
mems souls, and when, to be an abolition
ist was, to large extent, to be martyr.
We cannot help adding the thought, that
had these conventions of the colored peo-
pie of the United States continued their
annual sittings from 1880 until the present
time, the result would doubtless have been
greater general progress among our people
themselves, more united front to meet
past and coming exigencies, and a pro-
founder hold upon the public attention,
and deeper respect on the. part of our en-
emies than we now can boast of. Looking
at public opinion as it is, the living law of
the land, and yet malleable, ductile en-
tity, which can be moulded, or, at least, af-
fected, by the thoughts of any masses Wig
orously expressed, we should have become
power on earth, of greater strength and
influence than in our present scattered and
dwindled state we dare even dream Of
The very announcement "Thirtieth An
nual Convention of the Colored People of
the United States" would bear majestic
front Our great gathering at Rochester
in 1858, commanded not only public atten-
ton but respect and admiration. Should
we have such gathering even now, once
year, not encountered with elaborate
plans of action, with too many wheels with
in wheels, we can yet regain much of the
ground lost. The partial gathering at Bos-
ton, the other day, has already assumed its
place in the public mind, and won its way
into the calculations of the politicians.
Our readers will doubtless be glad to
learn the subsequent history of Mr.. Grice.
He did not attend the second Convention,
but. in the interval between the second
and third, he formed, in the city of Balti-
more. ILLEGAL RIGHTS ASSOCIATION" for
the purpose of ascertaining the legal status
of the colored man in the United States
1t was entirely composed of colored men
among whom were Mr.. Watkins (the col
ored Baltimorean), Mr.. Beaver, and others
Mr.. Grice called on William Writ, and
asked him what he charged for his opinion
on a given ,subject2" Fifty dollars
Then, sir, will give you fifty dollars i
you will give me your opinion on the lie
gal condition of free colored man in these
United States"
Mr.. Writ required the questions to b.
written out in proper form before he could
answer them. Mr.. Grice employed Tyson
) who drew up series of questions, base'
f upon the Constitution of the United States
and relating to the rights and CITIZENSHIP
r of the free black. He carried the question
! to Mr.. Writ, who, glancing over then
N