Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-20

Il
| lowing preambles and resolutions, after
they were read, the first being offered BY
Sykes, North CarOlinian, who was once
a sOlOn in the Legislature Of that Com
mOnwealth.
Whereas, the eOlored men Of Tennessee
have enjoyed the privileges, in a measure.
Of freemen during the past ten years, vet
their present condition IS such as to excite
grave apprehensiOns on their part and seems
10 call for extraordinary measures looking
10 relief Conventions being called in the
| several counties Of the State, delegates
we're elected to a convention 70 be holden
at Nashville 20 consider the causes leading
to the evils that Cypress them, and to pro
| pose remedies for their cure; and
Whereas, that convention now assembled
| after a solemn discussion and conference.
have reached the conclusion that the ills
suffered by the cOlored people of this State
are due chiefly to the following causes:
THE CAUSES OF THEIR WOES.
First, the low price paid for labor and
the great difficulty in collecting the same
after il has been honestly earned.
Second, the high prices demanded for
rent Of farming land.
Third, the opposition manifested in
many sections to the sale Of lands to color
ed people.
Fourth, the difficulty Ofobtaining justice
in the courts Of law, the privilege Of sitting
as jurors IN cases where their own color
alone is interested being denied them.
Fifth, The race prejudices have not died
with years, but IS strong today as when
TIE morning Of freedom first daWned on the
colored people, and this prejudice being
often manifested in the outbreaks Of viO-
ience, in which whites are the aggT essOrs,
aud cOiOred men the victims.
And, whereas, the four difficulties
first named might be overcome in time IN
der the providence Of God, il is firmly be-
heyed that prejudice is stronger than law
and may not be destroyed for generations
to come.
While this convention is firm in the
faith that the
REPRESENTATIVE WHITE MEN
Of the State are disposed to accord them
justice and entertain the kindest feelings
for them, yet it is compelled 10 ascribe the
evils from which its race suffers TO the in
activity and lukeWarmneSs, in some meas
ure, Of these representative men, and is
decided in its conviction that the irresp0n-
sible and
tGNOkANI WHITE MEN
Of the State are resolved that the col0red
men shall not attain to the full measure
Of their rights as citizens. As faith
full unto the laws, as desirous
o. peace, this convention would recon-
mend a departure OF the c0loTed people Of
Tennessee TO some other State or States Of
this great country, where labor receives
better compensation, where courts Of Justice
are open to them and where, if prejudice
do prevail, the strong arm of the law pre-
vents injury falling upon the persons and
property OF the poor Of whatever race or
condition; and this is done in the full con-
sciOusneSs that our race loves the State
they were born in, the State in which their
fathers died, that they love It's hills and
valleys, itsltOwns and people, that the sep
aTatiOn wiz bring sOTrOW 20 many hearts,
and that nearly all who go will bear with
them tender memories OF friends among
the whites left behind.
THE HOW.
Therefore be it resolved, frsi, that COM
mi9ee Of ten be appointed, the chairman
and secretary Of which shall &c residents Of
Nashville, whose duty il shall be to open
correspondence with o. to send an accredi-
ted agent to different sections Ofthe country
and to adopt such other measures as they
may determine 20 find out what States
offer the beS. Inducements 10 c0lOTed immi-
grants and that this be done as speedily as
is consistent with prudence.
The convention would recommend the
appointment Of sub committees in each
county, which should send carefully pre-
pared statistics Of the number Of cO,ored
people IN their counties, their ability 10
leave the State and such other information
as would prove of use to the State committee.
II is suggested that the most feasible plan
for emigration is that parties Of not less
than one hundred start together and if pos
sible that they settle in the same locality,
and il is especially enjOined upon all that
they consent under no circumstances to
depart TO a country that they know moth
ing Of. Evil aud evil only can grow out
of such injudicious conduct. Let The pro
posed home he first found, and its adyau-
tages be carefully weighed.
AN EXPLOITATION.
The convention would earnestly beseech
cOlOred men all over the State to be ODE
dent unto the laws of the State so long as
they shall remain in it, bearing with the
patience and long suffering that has ever
characterized them as a people, whatever
Of wrong that may chance TO them, trust
ing to Just God, rather than their own
might, for redressing their grievances.
ANOTHER PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
The Secretary offered the following paper
which was read and referred:
Whereas, the last General Assembly of
the State Of Tennessee passed certain strin-
gent laws which we consider unjust and
oppressive TO the labOrinS classes, and as
We compose the greater portion Of that class
Of citizens, detrimental to our happiness
and prosperity; and,
Whereas, convict labor outside of prison
upon farms, in mines, on railroads, etc, has
so mOnOpOlized honest men Of the laboring
classes that much suffering has been
brought about because they cannot demand
Just compensation for their work 10 secure
the neCessaries Of life; and,
Whereas, the rent of land and houses is
so extOrtionate that we can live only by
stint; and,
Whereas, we feel deeply grieved for the
hard and unkiud treatment tie negro is
constantly being subjected TO by disguised
and undisguised men who pretend to carry
out the public sentiment Of the people in
cutting, shooting and hanging by
MOB VIOLENCE
and wi bout mercy; and,
Whereas, many CClOred men have been
taken out fr ON the law and murdered by
mObs, as in the case Of David Jones, who
was fOrcibly taken out Of the Jail Of David
son by mob and hung Immediately 0ppO-
Site the police station, and not mOre than
fifty yards from the courthouse; and also
10 Reed, who was taken out from the Gus /
tody Of the law by from
SIX To TWELVE YOUTHS,
according to the Banner, and in tho u7es
ence of the JailOr aud Sheriff Of this county, |
the whole police force and about 1900
other peaceable and laW-abiding citizens:
and since none Of the perpetrators have |
been drought to justice, we look upon |
the silence Of the people as an approval Of |
their action and vindicatiOn Of the old |
principle, a negro has no right which a
white man is bound 10 respect; therefore,
Be it resolved, that in view of the facts |
stated, and IS we desire the peace and pros |
perity, we deem it best for the negro to !
seek a place, where we can enjoy the priv |
iIeges of manhood, where justice is too |
blind TO discriminate on account of color. !
Resolved, that we advise all people who |
are IN favor Of the principle Of the brother |
hood and fatherhOOd, to take into cOnsid- !
Grafton our movement, and that we do /
earnestly invite them to Join US.
Resolved, that We establish a bureau Of |
emigration which shall be composed Of /
three persons Of over tweuty-One wears Of /