Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-07
COlOred Convention.
Large Gathering of the Col
Ored Population.
SpeecheS--Their Effect.
Effort to Break Up the Con-
Vention by Colored
Soldiers.
SpeecheS--Their Effect

Yesterday morning, the Convention hav
ing for its purpose the educational and 50
cial interests Of the colored race, was con
vened at Caper's Chapel, near the Chatta-
nooga depot.
The meeting was called 10 order by DAN.
lei WATKINS, when on motion, A. R. GEN
TIE was called 10 the chair, who on taking
his seat, delivered an appropriate address
Rev. S. p. ANDERSON was elected Secretary
and A. JOINER assistant. Prayer was then
offered up by Rev. G. W. La WERE, Of Knox
vile. On motion Of Rev NELSON MER-
RIFT all reporters and correspondents pre-
sent, we're invited to the table
On motion Of Rev. J. d. WASHER, a COM
mittee Of nine was appointed, composed Of
three delegates from each grand division of
the State, to examine credentials. The fol-
lowing names were reported as the Commit
tee: w. II. Hicks and HENRY RowLEY,
from East Tennessee; Revs. RANSOM HAIR
RIs, NELSON WALKER and DANIEL Brown,
Middle Tennessee, and Ed. SHAW, r. H.
McKAIN and HENRY Ross, West Tennes-
see.
On motion, the committee retired with
instructions to report at P. N. Itwas then
moved that, in the absence Of the committee,
speeches should be delivered so as to arrive
at an expression Of the meeting. Mr.. Wat
KISs was called for. He said that they had
in the past twelve months had many Con-
ventions in other States, but only one here.
Last August a Convention was held in
Nashville, and it were thought that it would
prove a basis for the good and welfare Of
their race and their descendants. But owing
to the confused state Of the country, all the
advantages that was expected to have been
gained from il had been lost, and were I'M
known to the country. He said that it had
been urged that they we're a people Of emo
ton and impulse. To this he could not
agree, but thought that they might get along
much better if they would think more and
speak less. lie then urged that what was
done at the last Convention should be made
the basis Of this one. As people they were
in the habit Of passing resolutions, and pro-
claiming to the world what they intended
to do. lie hoped that the Convention would
do something that would contribute to the
interest Of their rac9.
Two things were necessary to the progress
Of the colored people these were education
and wealth. The latter was often abused, as
its possessor got drunk and squandered his
means This they called their rights and
liberties. He was opposed to men enjoying
such rights, especially when it came in con
tact with the interest Of the race. As to the
inequality Of the races, that was an absurdity.
Time would prove that there was no such
thing if the colored man would only prove
true to himself He urged farming as the
Eurest method Of improving their condition
and enabling them TO procure education and |
wealth, indispensable to development and |
success. One good farmer was worth all the |
swelled-heads Of Nashville, who wore fine |
clothes and frequented drinking saloons. In |
regard to their freedom, they could never be
free until admitted to the ballot-box. But |
they must prepare themselves for this priv
ilege by acquiring education and wealth.
Rev. A. Z. ANDERSON, of East Tennessee,
the convention. He said that
nothing beneficial to the colored people of
had resulted from the convention
Of August last, and if the proceedings of this
one were to have the same result they had
better adjourn and 20 home. Hehoped that
a conciliatory spirit would characterize the
meeting, and that the disunion spirit that
was prevalent among the colored people
Of the country would be crushed. 1t was
loo much the disposition Of some persons to
ry to make themselves characters by
making themselves leaders Of conventions,
md to see who was the biggest man."
Those men must be killed off. And in
rushing this spirit of egotism we must cul-
ivate unanimity of sentiment, and stand
~ each other; unless this was done all their
Efforts at improvement would avail nothing.
lie said that the distribution of yellow
packed pamphlets all over the country did
not benfit the black man.
Rev q. w. LEVERE was the next speaker.
He said that they represented the Israel
tes-they were standing on the banks Of the
Red Sca-that they had great obstacles to
overcome before the full realization Of their
freedom. Education was what they needed
o gain this end An educated man could
exercise more influence than thousand I'M
,ducated.
lie closed by urging that there should be
10 party strife-no illfeeling-that the OBJ
ect Of the meeting was one Of grave i'm
unity, harmony and con-
ord Of sentiment
During the delivery Of his address, some
onfusion was created in the Convention by
ONE halfdozen discharged colored soldiers,
With fife and drum, marching up to the door
# the Church in a menacing manner, as
h0ugh they desired difficulty. They were
ana arlntu-lau lhelE hWoEus |
Irawn. A member Of the Convention was
cnt out TO demonstrate with them, as the
music disturbed the speaker. 1t did but
title good Mr.. LENERE remarked that
here was more music than force in the
iale squad that was attempting to disturb
lac meeting. Their conduct was severely
ensured At the conclusion Of his speech |
he Convention took a recess until o'clock
n the evening. After a majority Of the au-
Hence had passed out Of the Church, the
discharged soldiers who had hitherto inter
upted the meeting, rushed into the building
With drawn swords, with banners flying,
Having fife and drum. On marching up to
he pulpit they about-iaced and formed in
inc, as il they anticipated an attack As
heir conduct was treated with silent con-
empt, no one speaking to them, they final
y marched out and left the premises. The
eading spirits in the Convention condemned
heir conduct, denouncing them in the Sc
crest OF terms.
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