The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-08-10

THURSDAY. AUGUST 10. 1865
Convention OF CoIOred Men.
As we have already stated 8 conven-
ton Of colOred men assembled in this
city, Monday. Nelson Walker, Of this
city, = very estimable man, Wss chosen
Presidenks
No business Of Importance was trans
acted the first day. Tuesday, the fol-
lowing preambles and resolutions we're
adopted, by a vote Of more than two to
one.
WHEREAs, we, ia Convention assem-
bled, in order 70 deliberate, az far as we
sre able, upon the present condition
and future prospects Of the colOred PEG
pie Of Tennessee; and whereas, il Is ex-
pedient in ell our deliberations we Will
put forth to them our sentiments,
Resolved That we win publish an ad-
dress TO them and cause It to be circu-
lated throughout the State.
WHEREAS the petition presented by
the colored people of Tennessee 70 the
Legislature thereof has not been dis
posed Of BY that body, So We under
stand, because they do not know the
sentiments Of their constituents-theFe-
fore, be it
Resolved, That we publish an appeal
20 the loyal white citizens Of Tennessee
upon the subject matter contained in
the said petition Inasmuch As the
Federal Government has called for our
uraanfmnDa - rrrfkeaa - H. 1t -
quitous rebellion, and acknowledged
not only our humanity and right TO
freedom, but our just claim TO all other
citizens under the Government there
fore, belt
Res01ped, That We protest against the
Congressional delegation from Tonnes
see being received into the Congress Of
the United States, If the Legislature Of
Tennessee dues not grant the petition
before it prior to December ], 1866.
The petition 10 the Legislature Of
Tennessee referred 70 in the foregoing,
was dated the 9th of April We make
the following extract from it, that the
reader may know what was asked
ave know the burdens of citizen.
ship, and are ready TO bear them We
know the duties Of the good citizen,
ard are ready to perform them cheer
fully. Therefore, We humbly and re-
s~pectfully petition your honorable body
10 place us in a position in which we
can discharge those duties o effect
ually namely: We ssk the Lgak Tiqht 10
Hse he e~lecfire franchise, and % testify apon
e0fh 70 the trtdh IN Ihc SceeGl Cosrte of oler
Safe. We do not AK Tor the privileges
wishing TO shun the obligations imposed
upon Us by them"
The remainder Of the petition was an
argument, about as forcible as any we
have seen, in support Of the claims of
the colored men. The Legislature took
no definite seton on the matter, post
poning the whole subject until the
meeting in October. We may state,
however, that there appeared 10 be a
decided msjority in that body opposed
10 permitting the colored people either
to testify in the courts OF TO vote.
At the session, Tuesday, the princi-
pal speaker was Gen Fisk, who is at
the head Of the Freedman's Bureau, in
this place. His speech is of much i'm
Portanoe, as il DEVELOPS the policy he
Intends, in some respects, to enforce
Amongst other things, be announced
his intention 10 establish an agency OF
the Bureau in every county in this
State. His representatives would either
be officers Of the army, or citizens
whose fidelity and honor could be re
lied upon. lie told the convention
that be would appoint just men, j q
when they could confde, and desired
their aid in making his selections. he
snd his agents would stand between the
colored laborers and the employers
and see that performed their con.
tracts. lie desired to sec the colored
people with homes of their own-landi
cottages, farm implements. and schools,
and hoped 10 have many of them SC
settled before the first Of the ensuing
year Compulsory labor would not be
tolerated. The Bureau would adjust
the differences between the whites and
blacks, where the ciyl courts refused
the latter the right 10 testify. When
guilty, the colored people would have
melted out to them the punishment
provided for the whites. Education
would be q prominent part Of the sys
TEN, and he expected soon 10 have 25,.
Geo cOlorcd children in schools lie
proposed further, a normal school, FOL
the education Of colored teachers.
The General favored the extension r.
the OOlOred people of the right of suf
irage; but that WAS a matter oveI
which be bad no control, and he merely
indicated his views
We Lave thus referred TO the action
Of the Convention, and the speech Of
Gen Fisk, 70 post oar readers W,
have no idea that the Legislature o
Tennessee, as at present constituted
will materially change the laws relative
70 the oolored population. We wer'
surprised at the degree Of prejudicI
which prevailed in that body las
Spring Nor do We believe that aD!
Legislature Of Tennessee, acting with
out coercion from military power 10
powerful to be resisted, al be induces
- confer the right Of suffrage on col
osed men. II will be difficult 20 prevail
upon our legislators TO grant them evel
the other privilege they ask-of bear
ing testimony in the cOurts There !
n great deal Of progress 20 he made ye
before the colored people can attain
the ends they aim at
A Cincinnati dispatch TO The ChicagI
Times says: "A private meeting of th'
radical Republicans was held in Colum