New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-11-06
Our National CONVENTION.

T,'-- Ei.t5f .'ttr \ .J Nd'iaaa! 4. IL as.t C'ssr-
As the cais has been made for the citizens
t.! the various States in the Union TO ASSEM-
hle in Convention in this city on the 18th of
december to urge upon Congress our claims
tor Civil Rights, it is necessary that every
State should be looking about in order to
select the best material to represent them in
that convention, SO that the condition OF the
people may be plainly set forth, and their
wants fully made known. Our conventions
have, for various reasons, failed to accomplish
the various objects for which they assembled.
some OF the causes of these failures might be
enumerated so as to provide against their oc-
currence in the future. One of the character
istc features that seems to predominant in all
ofour conventions, that thwarts the objects
for which they assemble IS the lack of that
unaninity Of sentiment amongst the dele
Gates, "of the one thing neediul," thai
should exist III order to bring success t" any
cause. \ national convention, assembling
for a specific purpose, made known to the
public in their call, expected to reflect the
wishes OF the people throughout the country
in reference to the subject under cOnsidera-
ton. At home the people express their opin-
ion either fay orable to, or denunciatory of
the Call" and if they favor such PROPOSE
tons as are set forth there is no better evil
dence that the presence of delegate at the
convention whose presence speaks at once
the wishes Of his people, and their sympathy
with the call is needed.
There are too MANY OF our leading men
who attempt 10 speak for the people who
have not been among them sufficient to know
what the people do want. They suppose,
because a few il connection with themselves
are doing well enough, that the great masses
doing the same. They go far enough to
ask iavors for their people, but are too easily
satisfied with whatever promise that Congress
chooses 10 make. We have but very few
leaders amongst us like Moses, who would
rather suffer affection with his people than TO
dwell in the courts OF Pharaoh We are too
hasty TO bite at the tempting bait that is held
out To Us in order to stop our agitation Of the
peoples, wants.
The indignitie. that ale offered to our
leading men ou the cars and in hotels are sell
dom ever mentioned by them, and many per-
sons suppose that because We have cOlored
Legislators and other high iunctionaries, that
these barriers Of caste were broken down
but the Hon. Frederick Douglass, never fails
10 inform the public that they still exist, aud
he is constantly meeting with them in his
travels. Can il he possible that he is the
only leading cOlGrcd man that meets will,
such treatment? OF are the others ashamed
10 let the people know what insults they have
10 endure: II there are few that travel in
Disguise without being nolested, it is a yer,
uncomfortable situation in which to be placed
aud they should agitate the question moit
Than others.
Our convention then will require all thu
earnestness that the influential men OF thu
country can put forth. Meet not TO tilt ava,
the time with useless display OF orator,
over questions irrelevant to our civil rights
What the people will demand will be earnes
work with Congress that will then be in ses
sion to hear our complaints, and there SHOULD
be no hesitancy ON its part to adjust them II
once, as the Liberals as well as the Republi
cans stand pledged before the country an,
the world to civi! rights. Let no sectiona
dispute nor personal aggrandzement mar tn
harmony that should exist on this occasion
but let that oneness ofpurpose predominant
IN the bosom of every delegate, so that tn
very couutenance will speak out to the Re
publican party by expressions that can NO
fail TO understand that We mean action nov
OF never And let no cry that can be raise
blythe opponents of ci'i! rights, such as-
"a Black Mans Party" intimidate any dele
gate or deter him from dischnrging the dut
that his constituents expects him to dis
charge. sPHfNh.
Alle0t1oD.
". can do ali Kinds nj ioh ufinliuv Ia