The colored Tennessean., 1865-08-12
hits, and keeps the audience thoroughly
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we are GuEAR6u III d SSIlOuo tdoA Wb AAEtFS
!. met here to impress upon the white men 0
Tennessee, of the United States, and of tht
: world, that we are part and parcel of th'
S sssaI gel a n ~ Si This war
: while it has decided the permanency Of the
nation, has not been without its influence upon
US, and by its operations the shackles have
been broken from the limbs of our race in
America. In pursuance Of the great work
thus begun, we are here, by our rcounsels and
by humble petition, to secure for ourselves
the full recognition of our rights as men. We
make no account of the wrongs and oppres-
sions of the past, but would act for the future.
We cherish no hostility to the whites we
love them, as we ever did, and if they be loyal
men, we love the Southern man even better
than the Northern. We simply ask for those
inalienable rights which are declared inalen-
able. Why should we not have them? In
the past struggle, when the nation stood
trembling upon the verge of the precipice, the
black man came TO the rescue, bis manhood
was recognized in that hour of national trial,
and why? From necessity-and | tell you,
my hearers, that necessity will secure us our
full recognition as freemen and citizens of
this glorious republic We were needed to fill
up the army, we were needed to supply the
place of copperhead conscfipts who had no
stomach for the fight. Senator Salisbury, of
DeIaware,Ea drunken scoundrel, here don't
misunderstood me, | do not wish to abuse
any officer of the Government, but as he was
understood to belong more to the COnfeder-
acy, will speak of him, said the whole ne
gro race of America could be swept from the
earth without loss; but even he found use for
US, and the question of political power in this
country will soon present another necessity
which will give us the ballot box There has
been by implication unfriendly legislation in
Tennessee, but Tennessee, proud and noble'
as sheis has MASTER and that master is the
United States. @rhat master has decideA. hat |
we are entitled tfour oaths Tie FreedI Us !
Courts will hear US when we swear for
maintenance of our rights
The Committee on Permanent Organize
sion then reported Tbs. following, nominees
President-Daniel Watkins, Davidson.
Vice Presidents-A. Ford, Knox Warner
Madison, Shelby Nelson Walker, DAVIDSON:
Secretaries-A. Smith, Davidson Anthony
Motley, Shelby F. Maxwell Washington.
Pending action on the report, after it's re-
ception, the Convention adjourned till P. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention met pursuant to adjourn
ment, Mr.. Yentle in the chair. Prayer was
made by Elder Edwin James, of Sumner
county. The following hymn was sung:
O God, our help in ages past,
Our help in years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow Of thy throne
Still may we dwell secure;
Sufficient is thine alone,
And our defence is sure
The delegates handed in their credentials,
and the list Of nominations reported by the
Committee on Permanent Organization was
rejected. The following officers were then
elected
President-Nelson Walker OF Davidson.
Vice Presidents-Wa Madison of -;
Rowley Mason, Of -; Peter Lowrey, OF
Davidson.
Secretaries-A. Smith, of Davidson Mot
ley Maxwell, of Washington.
An excited and confused discussion ensued
on the committhe report.
A motion was adopted for the appointment
Of a committee of nine, three from each di-
vision of the State, On credentials, was
adopted.
The following delegates were appointed as
that committees
Middle Tennessee-N. G. Merry, Richard
Harris and Ransom Harris.
East Tennessee-A. Mckinney, H. Alex
ander and Sergt. Hardison.
West Tennessee. j. w. Jones, A. Mot
av and TT Rankin
A committee of three on rules was then
adopted.
The following delegates were elected:
Jas. Rapier, of Maury; D. Lapsley of i
Giles, and Sergt. Griffith, 14th U. S. CT. !
A committee of three was appointed to wait
lpon Gov. Brownlow and Gen C. B. Fisk, Il
md invite them to address the convention on T
Tuesday evening. S
After discussion. it was determined to hold
evening sessions for speaking. A number of
peeches were announced. The convention I
hen adjourned till 9 A. NJ, Tuesday.
IND DAY.-MORNING SESSION,
The Convention met pursuant to adjourn
nent, and opened with prayer from the Rev. I
dr. Garter. The President in the chair.
The minutes of the preceding sessions were 4
cad and approved.
The Committee on Credentials not having n