Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-21
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visit such points as may. be deemed necessary
/ by the Board Of Commissioners, and on
their return report the same.
"Ihe convention would eDiOin il upOn
all cOiOred people throughout Tennessee-to
cooperate with and aid the Board Of Com
missioners in all possible ways"
FILLING THE NEW OFFICES.
A committee was appointed to nominate
the commissioners and, after a short retire
ment, returned with the following names ::
ID. FriersOn, Of Columbia; Albert Carr,
Springfield; Nelson Walker, Nashville; W.
A. SizemOTe, Edgefield; Q. NJ. johnson,
Gallatin; Abe Smith and Henry Harding,
Nashville.
The nominations were confirmed by the
convention, with the exception of that of
Abe Smith, to whom objection was made
because he had avOWed himself as not being
in sympathy with the emigration move
ment. After considerable wrangling, in
which Abe was pretty badly used by the
fanatics, the name Of B NJ. Holmes was
substituted and received a majority of the
votes.
The following were elected to explore
the United States in search Of the happy
land: Charles Maxwell, A. W. Neon
nell and II. A. Napier, all of Nashville.
While the nominating committee were
out,
T. A. SYKES,
U. 5. Gauger Of Nashville, formerly men,
Der Of the North Carolina Legislature, and
man now having great influence with his
cOlOred acqal ntances, was called upon for a
speech and responded at length, giving an
explanation Of his motives in offering the
resolutions, which he presented on We'd
nesday. He said his object was to get the
convention, like men, to make known their
grievances, but to do so temporarily and in
a spirit Of friendly feeling toward the
whites. When the country understood
their wrongs, he hoped the better class of
white citizens would interpose to redress
them. In case redress did not come, he
would advise the cOlOred people, as a last
resort, peacefully 10 depart from the State.
ANXIOUS MIGRANTS.
The proceedings Of the convention were
retarded by confusion and bOisterOUs, I'M
ruly conduct on the part Of numerous lead
ing spirits. II was with difficulty that out
siders could be prevented from voting on
the various questions. This crowd Of
idlers was in a constant brOil Of excite
ment, bullying and gOading the delegates
till the emigration scheme was completed.
They approved OF disprOyed everything Of
consequence that was uttered, and in
either case raised a turmoil which totally
disregaTded the char.
\ WORD FROM LINCOLN COUNTY.
The more headlOng delegates and the
spectators could hardly be induced to tol-
crate the reading and reception Of the fol-
lowing communication from the Lincoln
county delegate who was bindered from
being present. With difficulty be was re-
cogulzed as a delegate, but the letter was
tabled almost with executions upon its
author;
"TO the convention in Nashville: A call
ed meeting Of the cOlUred citizens of Fay
etteville, Lincoln county, was held to elect
a delegate to meet the convention which
will convene IN Nashville on the 18th.
After the chairman explained the object Of
the meeting, j. r. T. Hurry was elected to
represent Lincoln county in this COnven-
ton to consider the pr0priety or imprOpri-
ETY. Of our people emigrating from Tennes-
see. But / am sOT-y that other duties (nOt
more important but more obligatory rem
ders my attendance impossible; hence You
will please allow me this method of laying
before you what / have asCeTtained TO be
the feelings Of our people in this county. |
First, we are opposed TO the kind Of emf |
grafton practiced by many of our people, |
and while We have been made to pariake /
Of the same sufierings, apd labor under the |
same disadvantages in common with the /
race throughout he State, vet we believe |
that there is a better way to remedy the |
evil than by leaving the State. II we /
must emigrate, however, we are in favor Of |
the whole hog or none, and Of the United /
States having something TO DO with il.
Let me offer 10 your consideration a few
things that we have been thinking should /
be done. First. organize our working men
throughout the State, that we may coop
crate. Second, lay our case before the
next Legislature of the State Of Tennessee,
,nd ask the repeal of such laws as are
Known to operate to our disadvantage, and
he passage of such laws as will protect us
n the pursuit of an honest living. Third,
We recommend the importance Of our people
to the thousand acres of land
say in this State) that can be bought for
fifty cents or any price above that, for in
tance, such lands as can be had in Frank
in, Warren, Cannon, DeKalb, White and
}radleycOunties, to my own knowledge; We
ant get out of Tennessee without travel
ng over such lands as / Rave mentioned.
Iet us OccUpg them. No man can harm us
N our own land. Let us ask for prOtec-
ion in this State before we say We can't
et it. Divided as we are, we can't live in
ny country. United we stand, divided !
We fall. Let US not run before the fight
ONES of. Many Of our people are doing
veil in this State, and many more could do |
7ell if they would try. May one senti-
nent pervade your body, and great good
esult to the whole country from your de-
Iteration. | am yours, with many such
FISHES, X. F. hURLY,
Representative Of Lincoln County"
After this had been disposed of, the con- Z
ention adjourned sine die. An effort to {
lise a small collection to pay the gas bill
Incurred the night previous, while the
uzzard Orator was holding forth, pro-
uced a wild stampede and Liberty Hall
as soon cleared again Of an unparliamen-
ny SET.