New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-12
NATIONAL COLORRD CONVENTION.
The second days proceedings of this con

| Inc second Gay Is proceedings OF THIS con-
| vention was not marked throughout with
the same orderly and dignifed spirit as the
| first. After permanent organization had
been secured. politics was unfortunately
| introduced in the convention in. the shape
| of a resolution submitted by Mr.. Harralson,
| of Alabama. The discussion on this reso-
luton took rather wild and rude shape,
and at times bordering on the ridiculous,
forcibly reminding US OF scenes that are
sometimes witnessed in ward club rooms
and bar-rooms, where political meetings are
frequently held under the inspiration of
whisky straight" These scenes do not
excite our special wonder when enacted in
such places but in a national convention
even of intellectual colored men-they
must be regarded by their friends and we'll
wishers as sadly out of place.
The convention met at half-past ten
o'clock, and was called to order by Lieu
tenant Governor Pinchback, of Louisiana,
it's temporary president. Rev. c. H. Thomp-
son, D. D., Of Straight University, was in
vited to open the convention with prayer.
On motion of Mr.. Burch, the minutes of
the previous day were read and ap-
proved.
Mr.. Ransier, of South Carolina, submitted
letters from General o. o. Howard and Mr.
Quailes, member of Congress from Flori
da. As these letters were considered very
important, the reading of them was deferred
until larger number of delegates are
present.
About eleven o'clock, on motion, the con-
vention took recess for fifteen minutes in
order to give the committee on credentials
time to report additional members. At ten
minutes after eleven Mr.. Pinchback called
the convention to order again.
Mr.. Myers, from the committee on ere
dentials, reported eighteen additional mem
bers, making in all some sixty members
present, considerably less than the required
number for quorum, according to the ba-
sis of representation laid down in the ''call''
for the present National Convention of
Colored Men.
On motion of Mr.. Burch, Mayor Flanders
was escorted to a seat On the platform of
the convention.
Mr.. Cardoza, from the committee on per-
manent organization. reported as follows:
For President-Fred. Douglass, of New
York.
Vice observation-disclosures H. Ingraham. of
Louisiana; George L. Rufin, of Massachu-
sets: George T. Downing, of Rhode Island
T. Morris Chester, of Pennsylvania, j. c.
Rivers, of Maryland; w. n. Stevens, of
Virginia; j. NJ. Langston, of District of
Columbia: +. L. Cardoza, of South Caro-
lima; H. NJ. Turner, of Alabama; j. II.
PILES, of Mississippi; Richard Allen, of
Texas: NJ. w. Gibbs, of Arkansas; Charles
II. Langston. of Kansas; w. II. Jones. of
Ohio, and Charles Stevenson, of Kentucky
Secretaries-George 7. Ruby. Of Texas;
r B. Baquie and w. G. Brown, OF Lou
isiana.
The committee also recommended the ap-
pointm of two sergeants- alarms by the
president of the convention.
The report of the committee was adopted,
and the chair appointed Thomas Kelley and
p z. Canonge sergeants-at-arms.
Immediately after the adoption Of the re-
port, Mr.. Douglass being still absent, Mr..
Ingraham, as first vice president, was in
vited to take the chair.
1t was at this stage of the proceedings
that Mr.. Harralson introduced his bomb
shell into the convention in the shape of
the following resolution:
Resolred, That we, in the name of the
colored men of the United States, repudiate
any sympathy or connection whatever with
the late Labor Reform Convention, held at
Columbus. Ohio, and also the convention
of Liberal Republicans, called for the first
Of May, 1872, at Cincinnati
The resolution proved an inexhaustible
subject for discussion, participated in
freely ard earnestly, if not eloquently, by
Messrs. Pinchback, Ransier Cardoza,
Burch, Martin and Harralson. Mr. Pinch
back opposed the passage Of the resolution
at this time on the ground that such action
would be premature and impolitic. He be-
lieved it was intended to strike at a good
mantle Hon. Charles Sumner-one of the
best friends the colored men ever had.
Mr.. Pinchback continued his speech as
follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen OF the Con-
vention-I regret exceedingly that the re-
caused so much debate. 1t was not my in
tention that it should. My former remarks
on this resolution had tendency to define
nv position, and l intended that the whole
subject matter should be discussed calmly,
but this, it seems is not the case, for the
gentleman from Alabama has made per-
sonal and extremely pointed illusions TO
me individually. which l deem necessary,
as a representative Of the colored people,
to answer.
The gentleman who has Just sat down re-
marked that General now President, Grant
was the only man that could save the col
ored man. 1 beg leave to differ with the
gentleman. Mr.. Grant has no more power
to "save" the cOlOred people than Charles
Summer. Who is Mr.. Grant! Where was
he when Mr.. Sumner was lighting and strug
Cling for the cOlored people! General
Grant was not then known but to small
circle of acquaintance, and, sir, consider
the assault upon Mr.. Sumner in the Senate
chamber an outrage. Like the beautiful
and expressive quotation from Shakespeare,
1T was the unkindest cut Of ALL for 10!
when they struck Charles Sumner, they
struck through the body Of every true
colored man in the United States. ZAP
plause.]
General Grant, it must be remembered,
is simply servant of the people. If he is
elected President, do not doubt but that
he will serve to the best OF his ability. l
was once warm supporter OF Grant. l
was one that attended the convention in
1868 and helped to nominate him. l gave
him my unwavering support, but since he
has occupied his proud position l do not
like his administration. l did not and do
not think that he gave the attention or
done his duty as Republican to the col
ored face.