, 1865-10-28
Tho Mass Meeting.

Az 'hSSNiAt& " u uAlcu u
order BY Dir. Paul Poinsett. and Mr. Wm. Dart
was chosen President, with Messrs. Complain,
Bonum. and Carroll for Vice Presidents. and
hiessrs. Ransicr and Forester as Secrctnrics.
Rev. Mr. Graham invoked the divine blessing.
The President, upon taking the chair, re-
marked that he was always willing, in his hum
BILE way, TO do what he could to further tho
cause which they had assembled to deliberate
upon. 1T he understood the cause which had
called them together, it was q mos. important
one, es bearing directly upon their Sueurc
condition aud welfare. The parent eagle, in
teaching her offspring to dy, commences b. STIR
ring up 81 breaking up the nest. and in that way
tho young arc pat 10 the tcst of tke:A own
powers. We, as a people, have been terribly
stirred up; our nest of slavery has been des.
troycd and We must learn 20 use the powers
which God has given US to wing our way "a
the possession Of true liberty and equal rights
of sisna- The bash,css of the meeting is 70
cunsidcs the espcdiency of calling a Convcn-
ton Of the colorcd people 70 deliberate upon
the means best adapted to promote the general
welfare Of our people, to devise means end in.
augurnte a plan by which such Convention can
DC held, and to elect n suitable ~cosnmi,,es to
carry the project into effect.
On motion Of Mr.. Peter Niace, me toR ,.;ar
Committee was appointed to draft resolutions
expressive Of The sentiments Of the meeting -
Paul Poinsctt. ]. Il. Wright, X. II. Mnewood,
Vim. Marshall. Geo. Henderson,, l:dw. White.
Thos. Miller. james Price. James Bright, 'ri,os.
Holmes, John Dcsverncy, VIM. McKinly, VIM,
Browdie.
While the ommitte OH resolutions were a,S
sent, the PRESIDENT introduced Allen Coffin. who
urged upon the colorcd men of the State the
Importance Of unity in nil their proceedings.
Agitatc the question Of equality bring your
undivided wisdom into Convention: make
fcrciblc dedication OF your rights; - let your
petitions 60 Numbering up TO tho cnpi,al,pf the
nation, where they will BE- heard. and their in
huencc will be fas throughout the lind. With
the right of frcecaen to petition, a glorious fu-
turc awaits you.
l.. Hurley was the next speaker. Tie Ind
much hope N the cheering results Of the cleo
tons at the North inspired confidence. as the
large Republican gains in lows. Ohio, Pcnnsyl.
rani", New Jersey, and even Connecticut, indi.
Gated that the people Of the North were awake
to the duties of the hour. Til. Congress of The
United States were upon til. side Of freedom.
and they would not desert the ark of safety.
The Committee then reported the fu!.ow;uy
resolutions =
lFheras, We. as a people, nj this93imc occupy
a strange and underlined position, a, far as the
fundamental law Of this State i. concerned
and believing US we do. that II grave, il not in.
territorial, error has hecn committed by the
State AMI dccrninS that cur tru,< duty, as
rs-ca'le c'tizrns: Icamires us to er"rt ID >.lvc.
to our utmost ability that the said cTroETnay be
corrected, and that protection nif,rdedt II, BY
law that VIII enable us Il. cRjny the fruits OF
our own industry, snake secure the pcsce and
harmony Of our beloved State, and cause the
advancement of the interest of the entire pto-
pie therefore,
Resolved, in fnrtherancc Of the above irnpor.
snnt purpose, the colored people Of this State,
through delegates, be requested to assemble in
Convention. in this city, on the third Monday
of November next, the Goth day OF the month.
ReSNrea, That the number Of delegates in
each district be placed at the rntio Of represent
,ation i'll the Lower House Of the Stn,c I,csi,-
ture.
Hcso!rri, Thn, . committee Of seven be ap-
pointed by the Chairman 10 carry into cfec,
the objects Of this meeting.
Mr.. Il. G. DrIarge moved the adoption Of
the Resolutions. and spoke in favor thereof. II.
thought n Convention most important. Tn.
colored people occupied a position such AS no
other people ever had. 1t was y question wle-
ther they were to have the privileges Of free
men, or continue i'll n stale Of absolute nothing
ness. lie had rather BE- IL slave, and know hi,
place, than be a freeman and look in vain for \
fEecman's rights, and b. h.ld accountable for a
frceman's conduct. For the achievement OF their
rights they must depend upon Themselves, a.
there were fen Of the whites upon whom they
could depend. The time for action had conc.
Let us pu. by personal difference. and bend our
every energy to the accomplishment Of our pur-
pose. No set OF men can defeat our objec. If
we are true 10 ourselves.
Rev. Il. II. Randolph next addressed the
meeting in favor Of the resolutions. Never be-
fore had he attended a meeting OF such import.
ancc. 1t may be considered out Of place for a
clergyman to speak upon the political question.
OF the day. bu, as long AS they have 80 much 10
do with our welfare i. is the duty Of every
Christian man to deal with politics. Bcecher
and others Of the bcs, clessymen at the North
have always stood up for God-giycn rights.
Agitation is our best weapon. God ha. given
us white men who will advocate our cause, but
we must not stand idle when robbed Of our
rights ms freemcn. In the heart Of the black
man there il manhood rs we'll AZ in that of the
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