The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-05-08
The Colored Convention.

of which will no doubt
arrest the readers attention.:
Whereas The Congress OF the United
States, by public authority, have made
large donations aud endowments TO
many educational institutions for the
citizens of the several States Of the
Cuion; and
Whereas, Tennessee has received the
fund allowed aud provided by this su.
premc authority Of our country, aud
the colorcd citizens TORN a large part of
tie population OF .he State aud have re
ceiyed nouc OF the benefits OF this libe-
raj provision for public Improvement
aud education; aud
Whereas. There Is now n bill before
Vie Congress OF the United States con.
ferring on the colored citizens civil
rights, aud as II i our duty as men 10
arrange for the perfect development of
posierity means of instruction, we call
the attention of the Congress of the
United States TO the fact that the pub
lie institutions Of Tennessee are defcc-
live IN point of principle aud practice.
are anii-Repnblican aud proscip,ivc,
aud that their tendency is TO breed dis
cord between citizens aud the spirit OF
caste and hate; therefore,
Resolved, That we most respectfully
ask the passage of the clvi' rights bill
as introduced bv the Hon. Charles Sum
ner, OF Massachusetts, and reported by
tae Judiciary Committee containing
the provisions OF an impartial education
afforded TO us by the public schools OF
The country, aud TO our children. as The
most poient power TO develop true Re.
pubiicanism aud love OF country, good
feeling aud personal regard mutually.
Resolved, That the institutions en-
dowed by the general government he
so regulated that the colored citizens
shall be admitted to them importially
in proportion TO their population, aud
tha, provision shall be made TO carry
ont the appointment Of this class OF
citizens; and
Resolved, That the common or pub
lie schools OF the country ARE the mcdi-
um through which education will reach
the masses OF the citizens, we, as Ameri.
can citizens, demand that we shall Gu.
JOY them impartial!y.
Resolved, That we will consider the
omission of the Republican pai ty TO en-
act this measure base surrender Of the
rights Of humanity TO an insidious foe,
that has contested every right that we
enjoy. as they did every right Of free
dom on the field OF battle; aud we will
use our utmost to stamp upon any
dema9ogue who seeks 10 betlay the
privileges of our children 10 their fun
enjoyment Of impartial and equal priyi-
leges with public schools, the brand Of
the traitor Judas rs deserving political
" traitors doom; and
Whereas, An American prejudice, BY
the spirit OF caste and an unchrisiian
pride of race aud life. has over.ridden
the spirit OF the golden rule, laid down
" the Divine law, and has so derormed
society that we ale deprived Of the
civil rights due TO all persons; and
Whereas, We are citizens OF Repub.
lie that has guaranteed equality before
the law TO all citizens by proper amend.
men, to thcNatoma'C Constitution, known
as the 18Th, Nth and 10Th Amendments
and
Whereas, These amendments have
failed TO carry oni that equality before
the law, which should be the pride OF
every citizen, aud has failed TO do JUS
iice to us; and
Whereas. We are deprived Of the en-
jovmen, of accommodation allowed by
RI a
we are refused iirs.-cass accommoda-
tions by railroads and steamboats,, al.
though we pay first class fare, aud we
are forced into smoking cars with OF:
females aud families amid the obscene
and ludicrous associates who disrcspect
our feeling and race; aud
Whereas, When travelling, we are de-
MED the accommodation OF ,averns ho.
tells and inns. and suffer not only incon-
venience, but actual injury; and
Whereas, We are treated by propre-
tors Of places Of public amusement
with the same invidious prescription,
by not allowing us the same facilities
for admission as are made by whites on
.he same terms: and
H'I'HN. 1V'HOlCTlch, NWlW w wv gov
erned by Christian principles. in the
hands OF men, denying us the right OF
Christian burial in mother earth there.
fore
Resolved, That we respectfully ask
the law abiding power, the Congress
OF the United States, 10 pass the civil
rights bill aud forever settle the rights
10 which we are entitled IN the land OF
our birth and the Government OF our
choice and susienance,
Whereas, Hon. w. G.. Brcwnlow.
United States Senator from this State,
has declared himself opposed to the
civil rights bill. or .hat portion of II
that gives the coorcd children the right
10 be educated in schools with the
white; therefore,
Resolved, That we depreca,c the de-
partnre from the principles Of humanity
aud justice OF one In whom we have so
often reposed so much confidence as q
true friend Of the coOreG race.
Resolved That, The Hon. Horace
Maynard, Representative from the State
at large, be furnished with copy oi
the resolutions passed by the Couvou.
ton, aud that he DO requested to call
together the Tennessee delegation IN
Congress aud urge their co operAtiOn iIl