The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-04-20
THE NATIONAL C0L0RED
CONVENTION.

New Orleans on Wednesday, the 18th
instant, and remained in session until
Monday last, the 18th, holding two
sessions each day. In the temporary
organization of the Convention, Hon.
p. b. S. Pinehback was chosen presi-
dent, holding the chair until perma-
nent organization was effected on the
second day by the election of Mr.. Fred.
Douglass, of New York, president, and
Mr.. James H. Ingraham, of Louisiana,
first vice president. Mr.. Douglass not
arriving until the fourth day of the
Convention, Mr.. Ingraham occupied
the chair until that time.
The first days session was brief and
but little worthy of mention trans
pired. There were only fiftytwo dele
gates present, which fell considerably
short of quorum, and no important
business could be transacted until the
arrival of others. In an opening adj
dress delivered by Lieut.. Gov. Ran
sier, of South Carolina, we find the
object of the Convention stated to be
+" to consider ways and means neces-
sary to the conservation of the ma
terial and political interests of the
-colored people of our country"
The session of the second day was
much more exciting than that of the
day previous, and was characterized
by very warm and spirited debate
engendered by the introduction of a
resolution by Mr.. Harralson, of Ala
bama, repudiating any sympathy with
the Labor Reform or Cincinnati Con-
ventions. Mr.. Pinchback strenuously
opposed the resolution, because he
believed it was intended to strike at
Senator Sumner, "and 10! when they
struck Charles Sumner, they struck
through the body of every colored
man in the United States" Finally,
action on the resolution was postponed
until next day. Governor Warmoth,
being in the hall, was invited to seat
upon the platform. Eighteen addi
tional delegates arrived during this
day and were admitted to the Con-
vention.
The principal item of interest to be
found in the third days proceedings
is the consideration of the resolution
introduced by Mr.. Harralson the day
before. Mr.. Pinchback offered an
expressing confidence IN
Hon. Charles Sumner and declaring
that until he shall announce his Sc
cession from the Republican party, we
shall hold him to be as he has ever
been, one of the purest and ablest
members Of our great party" After
considerable discussion, the original
resolution was adopted by the small
vote of q yeas to II nays; Mr.. Pinch
backs amendment was then put in
the shape of a separate resolution and
unanimously adopted. Six new dele
gates arrived on the third day.
The fourth days session was marked
by the advent of the president-e elect
of the Convention, Mr.. Frederick
Douglass. The entrance of this dis
gentleman to the hall was
greeted with deafening applause by
the large audience that was assembled
in expectation of his arrival, and the
broke forth afresh when
he was escorted to the platform and
took the presidents chair. The adj
dress of Mr.. Douglass, thanking the
for the honor done him
and referring to the past and present
condition and future prospects of the
colored race, was listened to with the
greatest attention and often interrupt
ed with applause. Much time was
by members rising to priv
legged questions and replying to arti-
cles in some of the morning newspa-
pers rejecting unjustly upon them
selves or the Convention. A report
from the Committee on Platform and
Resolutions was received and adopted.
and an amended report of the Civil
Rights Address Committee referred
back for alteration and made the spe
,ial order of the day for the next ses-
'ion, Monday, the 18th instant. Some
discussion arose upon a proposition
20 make Mr.. Douglass chairman of the
Committee on Civil Rights to petition