The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-09-14
Public Meeting of Colored Citizens.


Nashville Convention and also to constitute
committees in each civil district of Giles |
County to look after the welfare of the !
colored race thereof.
On motion Mr.. H. Ware was unanimously
elected chairman. Mr.. H. H. Mitchell ap-
pointed secretary.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Ware.
The Platform for the constitution was then
taken up. All Resolutions offered by
committee of 9 men who will be the exc
cutive committee
Resolved. that the executive committee
have power to assign any resolution offered
by the corresponding committees.
be it further Resolved, that the president
have power to beside in favor of truth and
justice. Carried
The Rev. r. H. Thornton offered the fol-
lowing resolution which was adopted,
Resolved, that each committee be privileg-
ed to Govern their own constitution and be
Governed thereby.
The Rev Mr. Ware offered the following
Resolution which after being discussed was
adopted,
Whereas, many colored men and women
are badly treated on the account of being
| old and not able to help themselves, There
fore be it resolved, by this meeting that
there be tax collected to buy piece of
land for the purpose Erecting a poor House
for our poor down trodden race.
The Rev 7. H. Thornton offered the fol-
lowing resolution which was adopted,
lsRasSf25ed, that We appoint an Executive
committee consisting of 8, whose duty it
| will be to correspond with the central com
fsgnitteee at Nashville.
] be IL further Resolved, that we appoint in
each civil,district a corresponding commit
tee whose duty it shall be to correspond
with the executive committee at Pulaski,
Carried.
Namely, Richard Smith Cornelius Brown
Aaron Ware Wesly Shoat 7. H. Thornton
Henry Ross Anthony Harry Poke Edwards
Clinton Pitman, Executive Committee.
Mr.. NJ. Burt was called on to address the
meeting who made an eloquent speech, and
kept the audience thoroughly awaked
Mr. Shoat followed Mr. Burt and spoke as
follows
Gentlemen and fellow citizens you will
permit me to say few words in regard to,
our welfare, we want our colored race to be
a people, we want our colored race to be
able to do their own business. I want our
colored race rise and come up to the top of
the Hill, let US make Gentlemen and ladies
of ourselves, let US not be pilgrims and
hirelings all our days, we must come out
and make men of ourselves. Let us edu-
cate our children. If we cant buy land,
we must Rent it in a way that we can make
some thing, to bring our race out as peo-
pie. Every man go to work aud study his
own interest. We must also look into this
point. When we hire ourselves to a man
simply because he is a white man we mast
not think he is no right to his rights and
not submit to his law, if we hire ourselves
to any man white or black we have got to
submit to his law and do his work as he
wants it done, and stick up to our contract
whether it may be good or bad. If we hire
ourselves to work for man for 10 cents
per day we must stick up to our contract
: and work out the time that we hire for, but
when you make contract with any man be
sure that you make good one, and never
go to work until you draw writing on the
contract.
The Rev Mr.. Thornton followed Mr.. Shoat
and made an eloquent and stirring speech,
spoke of the rights of man and former en-
joyment of cOlored people, and for the Free
ton of a church.
during the time Mr.. Thorton were speaking
a ragged unmanarly and traitor to his race
attempted to shoot the speaker, but soon be-
come honorable mems victom and very
badly used and fine of $50 inforced.
Among other things he said, we want the
Erection of churches, We want education
and economy, we want harmony throughout
the world. Let each and every man go to
work and rent land If he is not able to buy,
let him rent in way that he can make
something. Let each and every one 90 to
work, find some responsible man to collect
money to purchase land to erect churches
for the enlightenment of our race. Let us
go to work and educate our children and
bring them up like Gentlemen and Ladies.
On motion the business was postponed I'M
til Saturday week. II. WARE, Chairman.
E II. H. MITCHELL, Secretary.