Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-09-21

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was best to be done.
George Carter said he wanted to ask
Brown one question. He had made use Of
a remark about mulattoes and blacks.
He wanted him to clear that up. We are
all colored people, and there was no caste
or color to be taken into consideration.
Brown said hecould give his friend satis-
faction; that he had the greatest respect for
the mulatto, black, white, red and blue
man, but if one of these mulattoes ever did
ANYTHING worthy of note it was said Of him
that he had white blood in his veins. He
was for the genuine negro, and if he had
any voting to do between the two he would
AXE the black man, if he was as black as
his boot.
Ed North tried to say something, but the
confusion increased to such an extent that
he could not be heard.
The chair here ruled that the discussion
about cast or color was out of order, that
this was colored mans meeting.
Ed North again rose and said be wanted
to know the object of the meeting; lift was
to separate white negroes from black ne
groes he wanted to know it.
Nelson Walker here obtained the floor,
and moved that it Is deemed expedient TO
call convention of the colored people of
the State. ~ -.
Horace A. Lewis opposed the motion in
few remarks. 3D.
Randall Brown now appeared on the
stand with his coat off and sleeves rolled
up. How will the people, said he, know
what TO do, if we DO not state what the
convention is for.
Mai. Harris said that some folks had
come to this meeting disposed to cavil and
quarrel. We had assembled for the pur'
pose of doing some good for the colored
people. Mr.. Brown had seen persons run
in from the country with scars on their
backs and lacerated by the Ku-Klux. Cries
of order-no sectionist herel. Harris said
he was not going to tread on anybody's
feelings. ..[
Randall Brown interrupting, said to the
speaker, 81 am friend Of yours-we have
determined to come here and consult, and
not to upkiyer cid sores"
Major Harris proceeded. He said our
people have been free for five or six years,
and had made no progress. They had
raised no cotton, but you had seen il pub
lished that colored people had attempted
10 raise big crops and had failed. Here
we see young white men going to colleges,
and he wanted to 60 somewhere, so we
cou, d do the same for our people.
Nelson Walker, here arose to point Of
order, and insisted that the gentlemen was
not combining himself to the question.
Randall Brown again took the floor, re-
marking that he had heard Of some people,
who were here 10 night, talking for long
time for the good as they said Of the
colored people. they had been the stands
ing secretaries aud chairmen of meetings,
and the money holders, but the time had
come for them to have new leaders.
A motion was here made to lay Walkers
motion on the table.
Daniel Watkins said he was opposed TO
calling q convention at this particular
iunCture If We do not know here what
the convention is TO be called for, the peo-
pie will be at loss to determine when
they assemble. We we're not prepared for
such a call. Before we make q move let
US be sure we are right He was willing
to do everything he could to conduce to
the prosperity of the people, but he
thought it was not stated what the conyen-
ton was for, it would end in confusion
worse COMPOUNDED.
A vote was then taken on the proposition
to lay on the table, which was carried.
Georg Carter took the flor. He said
this assembly had been called for the pur-
pose of deyising means by which the con-
dition of the colored people might be
benefited. Great dissatisfaction existed
in the State and particularly this city
L Al l., 49,, II
believed that such dissatisfaction had
grown out of political causes. If in the
disorganized condition of affairs, it can be
seen that a convention will be of benefit,
he would favor it, and he would therefore
move that a committee OF seven be ap.
pointed to draft resolutions, stating the
objects necessary TO be engraitel in call
for a convention.
Somebody wanted to speak, and the
chair said he would not hear the discus-
sion. ..
A Voice. rue the chair out Of order.
Another Voice-All this meeting has
got more sense than the seven men pro-
posed to be appointed.
The motion of Carter was then put to
the house and lost. ana
Knowles, the chairman, said he would
| like to have peace and harmony. .''
An enthusiastic Individual named Wat.
kins said he had been trying to say somes
thing all night, but the chair would not
respect him. .r l.... lii
Knowles.-I DO respect you Mr.. Wat-
kins, but let us have peace"
Randall BroWn.-"How my heart bleeds
| for this people. l want you to act intelli-
| gently SO that reporters would not GO
away and report another pow~wow." He
| wanted his people to emigrate. He was al
| church last night, and saw five thousand
| come out of the doors, who did not have
| home TO 90 to. Heowned house, but ht
would not give dime for it if his people
we're suffering, .r.#
The most sensible remarks of the even
ing were then made by George Carter, who
said .t... .......... .....-,
If there should be one thing in the world
above another of which a man should be
proud it was to meet his people and see
that order, decorum and respec was shown
to the chairman. If men had any pride II
their hearts at all, or any respect for theil
fellow.men, it seemed TO him that wher
they were called together on an occasion
like the present one, they would, If they
could not discuss questions, that they woulC
listen to those who could discuss them
They talked about emigrating. They
did not show an example
6t for emigration or anything else. 81
wished he could master language suficien
to reflte such conduct as they presente'
there tonight. He was as much in favo
of emigration as any man. There ar
some things in Mr.. Browns speech whiC
he was bound to take exception TO. III
mixed up too many things in hi
speech. They wish TO know wis
they wanted 10 do. He says tbs
he wants to know how much cor
they had raised, and how much land the
{ owned. The thing he was driving at Wa
emigration, and il that was it let thel
have it, and not mix up too many thing
The subject of emigration is spoken of in
two.fold light, upon which he d
not agree. He knew the white Poop
| and had been in contact with them q
l over the world and had found the
t wherever he had gone. They had TO lea
to be negroes yet. Mr.. Brown iniimat
in his speech that application should
made to the government. For the neg
n himself is what they had TO learn. Th
all knew the origin Of this call viii
was political in its nature. T
question for which they We
d called to discuss was how could they plt
4 IL - tkok ,ool1firal NOV