Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-04-12
CONSERVATIVE CoLoRRD CoNvsy.
TON,
Frum .he Union : Dispatch Of ,he 7th.

From the Union h Dispatch Of the 18th.
The convention which wac called by the
colored citizens to meet yesterday, met at the
courthouse at P. N. A large crowd of col
ored men and white men assembled at the
appointed hour. There was an intention on
the part of the colored men TO break up the
convention by introducing into 1t Radicals
who pretended to be Conservative. Brown
lows militia, were there, and instead of be-
ing the conservators Of the peace, BY their
acts encouraged e spirit Of lawlessness and
intolerance.
After mach confusion, Joseph Williams
took the chair, and made speech, review
ing the questions at ISSUE and delivered a
scathing rebuke 10 those who attempted to
suppress the freedom of speech. He said If
free speech could not be tolerated, then we
are in worse bondage than when in our
former slavery.
After Williams had concluded his remarks,
Mr.. Washington, colored man, came for
ward and said: We, as colored men, must
look to our own interest. We are slightly
demoralzed; we had no chance to get fair
representation of the Southern side of the
question. The Radicals have usurped every
thing apd tried to become our special
guardians. 1t is laid TO Uncle Sam that he
liberated US. This is not true II was not
their intention to free us at all. It was a
case of necessity, in order to suppress the
rebellion. Our true friends are those who
raised us they have stood by US all of our
lives, and we should encourage them by
standing by them. Some of these Radical
colored men have come here with Brown
| Ion - Ia 81 Odd, 4, TIL. l..
the other. They do not look at the question
fairly. Let others do as they may, but as
for me, my hopes aud sympathies are with
those who wore the gray. They are our
friends-we can trust them.
Rev. Mr.. Watkins being loudly called for,
came forward and made calm practical
speech. He said he had read thoroughly the
Constitution of the United States, and It de.
clared all "men born free and equal" and
that the object Of the Confederation was ia
form more perfect union establish justice,
and insure tranquility. That constitution
was good enough, but was never carried out
practically. All men in this country were
not free and equal. The radicals have given
US the right to vote, but they have in the
10th section of the franchise act, denied the
right to sit on juries or to hold office. This
is robbing us Of the right guaranteed to u:
as freemen. His definition of Conservative:
and Radicals, taken from Worcesters die
tonary, were not well defined in their rea-
ton to the two political parties now in exist
ence. Who gave you your freedom2 sale
he, in a low tore. Did Lincoln and his ar
my do it? No; il was God who struck tn,
shackles from your limbs. He closed by say
ing he was compelled to go to Franklin Il
preach that evening, and was prepared a
some more leisure time to address them OF
all the great questions involved in the com
ing canvass.
The following resolutions were then rea,
by the chairman and adopted, and the fol
lowing colored gentlemen were appointed n
delegates to the State convention to meet Oh
the 10th, in this city.
RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, Under the laws of Tennessee
the colored man is invested with the right G
suffrage, and it, therefore, becomes his dut
to justify his enfranchisement by prudent
, thoughtful and patriotic exercise of that grea
and inestimable privilege:
. And whereas, Our Conservative white fel
low citizens have invited us to appoint dele
gates to the State Convention to assemble /
!, Nashville on the 9th inst, and participat
with them in nominating candidate fc
! Governor, thus showing their disposition an
; desire to secure our rights, and to prt
mote harmony between the two races, there
: fore be it.
Resolped, That we cordially accept the IL
!, vtation, and will faithfully labor to max
J. the political unity Thus inaugurated redoun
v TO the good Of the State and the who
: Union.
!, Resolred, That we do not desire to be a
J element of discord in the community
y which we livo--that to seek to unite the co
y ored race against the white, or the poo
y against the rich, would only bring troub
that we believe the common good of bot
u depends upon the spirit OF harmony and ju
!, !, tice of all toward each other.
u Resolred That believing the spirit ar
% tendencies Of Radicalism are unfavorable
: these aims, we take our stand with the trl
e Union Conservatives of Tennessee, and il
vite our race throughout the State to do Il
II same.
/ Resolved, That our right to vote involv
U the right to hold office, and that its denial
J. unjust and that our Interests and rights
i free men require also that we should ha'
!, the right to sit upon juries.
u Resoired, That, while thankful to overru
: ing Providence that slavery is removed fro
u the land. we have no ground to fear tn
IL any attempt will ever be made to re-establil
:, it.
n DELEGATES.