Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-10
THE NEGRO CONVENTION AT NASH
VILE.


The proceedings of the "Colored Conyen-
ton" in session in this city the present week,
have developed antagonisms among the
members, worthy of some reflections. The
design Of the Convention, as formally an
nounced to the Mayor Of the city was,
'to deliberate on the following subjects :;
agriculture, Manufactures, Mining and
Education, and to adopt some plan by
(which these important branches Of industry
land elevation may be more efectually pros
"ecuted by Us as a people" They also asked
the appreciation Of the city authorities, and
asked protection il it should become neces-
sary. Mayor Brown expressed the univer-
sal sentiment Of the white people Of this
city, when in response he said: 81 would
state that meetings or conventions with such
objects in view, meet with my thorough APP
probation, and that all requisite aid and
protection, if necessary, tending to the sue
cessful prosecution Of such worthy aims,
will be cheerfully extended at any time"
Scarcely had the Convention got through
with the preliminaries Of organization, when
it became evident that evil influences had
been brought 10 bear upon members to defeat
the laudable ends which the Convention was
framed to promote, and to change its char
acter and designes from prosecuting more
eifectually the important branches Of indus
try and elevation" named, to one Of politi-
cal purposes and objects. After a somewhat
protracted struggle the Convention was over
thrown, and the body converted into an
Equal Rights League" Thus the objects
stated, in which the negroes are infinitely
more concerned than anything else for the
present, were ignored, and their efforts d.
rected to the acquisition Of social and politi-
cal equality with the whites. The malign
influences and suggestions which brought
about this state Of things, it is now pretty
well known, did not originate with the ne
groes themselves, but from pretended rhite
friends.
Having no other than the kindest feelings
for the colored race we venture two or three
brief suggestions, which may be serviceable
TO them-especially to that rejecting class,
the existence Of which was demonstrated by
the sound views displayed by some members
Of the Convention:
1st They have equality with the white
man in the right to the pursuit of happiness
to labor in any trade or calling they may
5elect-to protection from the laws of the
Iand-to worship COP according to the die
lates Of conscience acquire and hold pro-
to improve and elevate them
selves by education, industry and Virtuous
merit. This is vast advance upon their
past condition-and if these advantages are
properly and discreetly used, may lead to
future Of great utility and benefit to them
ielves and to society at large. The Conven-
ion was on the right road, and when it Left
{, it entered a much more difficult and Ia
'orious path.
End. Any other equality, under existing
circumstances, is practically impossible; and
ny effort TO force II Will inevitably engender
that must retard instead of adj
ance the ends aimed at by the blacks-and
rove unfortunate to both races.
3rd. Intelligence, property-not great
7ealth, but comfortable competency-and
irtue, give power IN all enlightened COM
lunities. These should be the first objects
{ desire, and most early sought after by the
reed people. The first comes through edu-
second through industry and
conomy-and the third through the cult
alton Of good and frowning upon evil.
These must precede the true elevation
( the negro; and every effort and exertion,
nd every moment of time taken from them
nd devoted 10 politics, which is another
anne to him for idlenesS is so much thrown
D the road Of his progress.