The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-20

TO hand, you are certain, in my opinion, and
that, too in very short period OF time, to
attain the objects for which this meeting has
been Called-tbe re-establlshment OF the cOlored
men of our city in their political rights.
The Committee having returned during the
course OF the gentleman's remarks, then reported
the following as officers of the meeting;-
President-Isaiah c. Ware.
Vice-Presideuts-Rev Elisha Weaver, William
Wipper, Rev. stephen Smith, William still.
SeCreary-Joseph G. Busten.
1t was then announced that petition to Con-
gress had been prepared for the purpose OF IN
quiIing as 10 the claims OF the colored citizens
to the right of the elective franchise, and had
been signed by numerous persons, but there
were few places lett on the paper TOR names
yet, and it was hoped those present would come
forward and put their signatures to it.
The President then addressed the meeting as
follows:-I aides and Conference.-The gentle
man who addressed you a moment ago stated
that when he came into this house he expected
to ind larger number of people here than he
dld find. | did myself; but | am glad TO see the
Kind OF men here that are here, and / am salts
fed If they do not now, they VIII fully under
stand the purposes OF this meeting by the reso-
lutions which are to be offered.
The enterprise which we have now on hand
is one which, for the first timc in the history of
our nation and of our people, has been offered
to US; and it is ole which, if we do not avail
ourselves OF, will not only be lasting disgrace
TO us, but to our children. If we strike tns
iron while ii is hot we will succeed. The nations
heart is now fused waiting to be moulded into
the shape that is desirable.
If there is one thing true more than another,
it is that the American people have to-day one
sixth of their whole population living in theiH
midst without being acquainted with them; and
II there is anything more important for us to do
than another, II Is for us 10 place ourselves in
position where we may make them acquainted
with us, and the holding of a national conven-
ton is the most feasible method. And whether
that national convention shall correctly AID
iairlv represent our people depends upon the
citizens OF Philadelphia-at least, a part OF
them.
population of over twenty thousand people
should not allow themselves to go unrepre-
sented in q convention as important as the one
that has formed, or is just beginning to form.
We must keep ourselves before the world, that
they may understand what we meaL-that we
do not mean TO take anything else than what i,
right Tor man, without regard 70 his intellect or
his wealth, but solely on the score of his man
hood. (Applause.)
MIR. Bussctt then stated, by way of preliminary
remark, that at the time the last Convention
was called, in 1864, to meet at Syracuse, New
York, he h&d made but little effort to send dele
gates to represent Philadelphia, but in the pre-
sent case he had done all in his power to secure
q good attendance at this meeting TO elect dele
gates. He had circulated notices throughout
the different churches last Sunday. but sup.
posed, owing to the inclemency OF the weather,
they had not been announced. He then sub
mitted the following resolutions, which were,
on motion, adopted separately:-
Whereas, A call has been issued by the
NdllOnal EQudl hlgntS League, lnVltlng the
colored men of the nation to assemble by dele
gates in Washington city, Il. c., on Thursday
January 10, 1867 and
Whereas Ii seems desirable on many accounts
! that we, the cOlored citizens of philadelphia,
| should not be unrepreserted IN convention at
| which the COlored men Of the nation are eX-
pected to be present; therefore be it
heSOlUed, That at a time when brutal out
! RACES on civil and personal liberty, murders
and untold villanes are daily and hourly per-
! perated by unrepentant Rebels and periured
! traitors upon the loyal and patriotic people of
! the South, to such an extent as TO be made The
! subject OF two special commissions of inquiry
! by Congress within a session of two weeks;
! while the Constitutional Amendment abolishng
! slavery is nuIlifed men being bought and sold
! at public sale throughout the South to-day:
| while the Civil Rights bill is Scotled at ana
hissed; while, indeed, here in our midst, men who
! helped to fight the battles of the country are
! insolently denied the right to ride in our city
! cars-a right almost as clear and indisputabe
as the right to walk the highway; while, in
word, there is strong disposition to please,
paciy, and pander to the men who sought to
rum the country by terrible rebellion, who
deluged our land with rivers OF tears aud blood,
! who murdered, manned, and starved to death
in Southern prisons the brave sons of the
North, and at the same time purpose to ignore
! the republican principle by denying to four
millions OF industrious, brave, and patriotic
people born, on the soil, the full need of Ameri-
can CltiZenship,-it is meet that the Colored
men of the nation should come together to con-
.
behalf
ReSolUed, That, although partly on account Of
some defects in its organization, and partly from
lack Of support at the hands OF the people, the
League has tailed to accomplish its high mis-
sion; yet we gladly hail its timely call for Con-
venton of the people, and we will cheerfully do
our part towards securing a good and tpli
attendance at the Convention, TO the end that
the men OF all sections may compare views
may state in their own chosen way their
grievances and their claims; and that the
League itself may be rejuvenated by fresh
baptism in the hearts of the people or super-
seded by other organizations or abolished
altogether, as the people may Judge best
adapted to carry forward to realization the
good work begun.
ReSOtUed, That committee of three be ap.
! pointed by the Chairman to nominate delegates
! to the Convention.
A committee of three was then appointed.
While they were conferring together, Mr.. Pur-
nell spoke as folloWs:-Mr Chairman and fellow.
citizens, | must confess that if | am not in the
situation of my fighting friend on the lett IRE.
terring TO Lieutenant Stevens, who had been
| requested to make a speech, but dechned)
I am certainly in the position of the man sud.
denly called on in crowd to deliver a speecn,
| who, being totally ulprepared for such an
! effort, said that he would hold anyboiy's hat
| that would take his place" Uaughter.J
What have to say on the present occasion /
| do not suppose Will bear any weight, or shed
! any light on the purposes and objects OF the
| meeting There are men here who are older and
! wiser, and who are ADLER and more capable o.
| shedding light on political matters, at the pre-
! sent day, than myself. ! have not OF late med
! died with matters of this kind, but | will saw
that there is not single individual in this COM
munity who feels deeper interest in the grpa
| purposes and the public demonstrations now
! going on in this country than the humble indI-
! vldua whom you have called on to address you.
| (Applause.)
All men in this community, or throughout
| the wide e2panse of the country, VINO bear
the impress of irpemen on their cOuntpnancps