The colored Tennessean., 1865-08-12
he'd Weekly, at $3.50 Per Annum.
Proceedings Of the State Con.
- VentiOn.
FIRST DAY-MoRNING SESSION.

Pursuant to the call of the. Executiv
Committee, issued May 9th, 1865, the Con
yentionof the Colored People of this Stat
met in St Johns Chapel, A. M. E. Church
at 10 A. NJ, August 9TH, 1865.
The houseewas filled to overfowing, and
the Convention being called to order by A
Smith, of Davidson county, Chairman of the
Executive Committee, and the objects Of the
assembly were explained by N. Walker, OF
Dayidson-the call being read-when w. j.
Gentle, of Knox, was elected temporary
Chairman and T. j. White, Of Maury county,
Secretary.
The Rev. N. G. Merry then addressed the
Throne Of Grace. After singing an appro-
pirate hymn, Daniel Watkins, of Davidson,
moved that committee of one from each
geographical division of the State be sp-
pointed on Permanent Organization.
Lieut.. H. NJ Rankin, of Memphis, moved
to amend by making the committee one from
each county.
Considerable discussion ensued. Mr.. Wat
kins' motion was lost, as was also the amend
ment.
On motion of Mr.. Harris, of Davidson, q
committee Of three from each district of the
State was adopted. The following gentle
men were nominated:
sssss. .9g5 1FsCrI IS, 81 I5a
wilson: James T. Rapier Of Maury; B. P.
Frierson, of Rutherford.
East TennesSee-H Alexander, of Knox
c.. A. Mckinney, of Hawkins F. Maxwell
of Washington.
Vest Tsnnessee-H. N. Rankin, J. j. W.
Jones, and Warren Madison, of Shelby.
While the Committee were absent, the
Rev. Mr.. Shepherd, Chaplain of the 18th
u. S. Colored Infantry, was called upon to
address the Convention, He responded in
well-timed and earnest words of sympathy,
encouragement and advice to the delegates
for prudence and kindness in their delibera-
tions, and to the audience for good order du
ring the proceedings. In closing, the Chap
lain expressed his qualification at being pres
ent, and said for twenty years he had labored
for the good of the slave, and for the free
dom of all men.
A. Griffin, of Smith. county, was thsn
called for. Mr.. G. is one Of the very few
Southern white men who, outgrowing the
preiudices of race and condition, stands for
the inRlienable rights of man. His remarks
were earnest and sincere and warmly re
ceived.
Sergt H. j. Maxwell, I'd Battery, U. S.
Col. L. A., was then introduced. The Ser
eeant made an eloquent speech, in which he
struck the keynote Of the occasion. He was
there as an American, claiming the inaliena-
BILE rights of man. Life, liberty, and pur-
suit of happiness, were his prerogatives
Lite and liberty meant to share in the Gov
eminent by which they were protected and |
the right to live anywhere on the continent. |
Should not these rights be the rallying |
theme of the Convention. By this music we
march to victory. We shall be heard before
Congress and before the Legislature. We
come here for principles, and there will be
no discension. We want the rights guaran
teed by the Infinite Architect. For these
rights we labor; for them we will die. We
have gained one-the uniform is its badge.
We want two more boxes, beside the car
fridge box-the ballot.box and the jury box.
We shall. gain them. The government Of
this nation will not prove false to its plighted
faith. It proclaimed freedom and we shall
have that in fact It will not forswear itself
Let us all work faithfully unto the end.
The Rev. Mr. Merry followed Sergt. Max
well in allusion to the former enjoyment of
suffrage by free colored men of Tennessee.
He named, then in Convention, who had
voted for Gen. Jackson for President-the
Rev. Edmund Jones and Andrew TAFT. The
Rev. gentleman proceeded to urge harmony
in council and advise that all talk be directed
to stir the heart to action, and not influence
the tongue to noise.
The Rev. James Lynch, of Baltimore, Mis-
sionary in South Carolina and Georgia re-
sponded to call, and in most eloquent and
stirring speech spoke of the rights which had
already been achieved, and those which were
yet to be gained. The speaker made telling