The colored American., 1866-01-06
FREEDMEN'S CONVENTION.

when the delegates from the different
cities and counties for this Convention
Will take their seats in solemn conclavc,
1t may notre out Of place in us to throw
out a few suggestions that may aid them
IN their future deliberations. There will
DC some OF the most important questions
brought before the consideration of that
oody, that has ever been brought before
any such like cons tituted body of men;
questions, the proper decisions of which
will make an indelible impression upon
the future of our race. Let these ques>
tlonS be considered and debated with the
spirit OF men, not with the high swellipc
tones OF the braggart, nor with the snevel.
ing, mercy >beseeching language of the
menlal, but with the dignifed energy cf
men determined to show to both friend
and foe that Freedom has yet some sons
worthy OF her benefits. And in our
Judgment the most important cf these
questions is that Of OUR RloHrs. First.
What are our lights and second; How
are they 10 be obtained?
The first question may be easily am
swered, and soon disposed of, from the
fact that our rights are the rights of ali
freedman, whatever these may be. We
may not have them all accorded to us by
those who have it in their power to do SO
but that in no way efaces the fact, that
they are our rights But let us not, in the
broad glare Of newborn freedom, be lcd
away by its resplendcnt glories into exs
travagant ideas as in what they really do
consist. Man generally, IN opposing
wrong or maintaining right sees it magnify
in proportion az his mind fingers In the
contemplation of the wrong perpretrated
or the right demanded, until he finds
himself combating or defending what in
calmcr moments he might acknowledge
was far from bis original intention. Let
us learn from the experience of others
SO that we might escape the quagmires OF
honest deluson. The second question.
How to obtain our rights?' will be the
most difficult to manage and the most
important of the two. But let us not be
afraid of its Importance nor it's dificulc
ties, Let Us meet them like men pre-
pared, and willing TO overcome. Con
slider well the source from whence they
are to be obtained DELIBERATE calmly apor
the relationship that source now holds
to US and what it held so lately, and lei
our demands be in accordance with thu
most reasonable expectations. We coun
eli no tawning nor bowing because of forc
mey associations, neither do we call foI
buster nor bragg, because of :aea0 rela>
tions, but let us remember that the firm
bold, conscientious and just demand, has
the willing ear Of every brave and honest
heart. We have many warm, true heart
ed friends in this city and State, let them
not be appalled, at our extravaganza nol
panied at our slayishness. Let the manly
expression of our sister State, be our
expressions, and we Iecl certain that
good shall follow iE the footsteps of our
formly asserted rights. In the Conven
ton lately held in South Carolina our
brethren asked for 'the establishment ol
law and order, the securing of life and
property; and freedom to sell labor as a
merchant to dispose of any of his como
dities; far fair and impartial construs>
tion Of the pledges Of the government on
the land question, that the school, the
pulpit and the press be as secure in that
State as in Massachusetts, that equal
suffrage be conferred in common with
white men, as protection from hostility
by their known faithfulness to their
country's flag during the rebellion, and
because all free governments drive their
power from the consent of the governed ;
they being in majority in the State,
bearing for long time the burden of an