New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-14
National Celsred Convention.

National Celered Convention.
The following are the resolutions adopted
at the recent convention of colored men al
Nashville:
WHEREAS. We are on the eve of q presi
Dental election, in which the most vital in
tereess OF the col0red citizens are directly
involved, viz: the future security and pro
lection OF the lately enfranchised citizen in
the exercise OF his inherent and constitu.
tional rights and privileges; and
Whereas, The signs of the times indicate
return of the American people to sense
of the just demands of our people for equal
ana exact justice as enunciated in the
declaration of independence and more prac-
ticaliy demonstrated by the amendments to
the constitution; and
Whereas, A deplOrable condition of law
leesness and violence has long existed, and
still exists, in many parts of the South,
which seems to spring chiefly from preju.
dice against the colored people, and to be
directed against their rights as men and
citizens, and as this state of lawlessness
has done, is doing, and threatens to do
great injury, not only to it's immediate vic
tins, but to the whole country; and
Whereas, We most earnestly declare that
the cOlOred people are not responsible for
this deplOrable state of affairs, but it is due
to the partisan frenzy of Democratic lead
ers. whose only hope of gaming power in
the South has been through appeals to
prejudice for the purpose Of antagonizing
the races; and
Whereas, We entertain q high eense of
appreciation for the labors performed by
the friends Of freedom in behalf of our
race: therefore, be it
ReSO[red, That in this centennial year we
return our unfeigned thanks to the friends
OF freedom who have espoused our cause
and steadfastly battled to aid us in secur-
ing our liberties and rights.
Resotred, That we indoree and reaffirm
our devotion and adherence to the national
Republican party and it's principles as
enuncisted; nevertheless. we have Just rea-
sons for complaint against those members
who have proved recreant to the trusts
committed to their keeping.
Resolred, That we disavow any desire to
cherish ill-feeling to ward tho ex-elave- hold.
ing element of the South; but, on the con-
'trary. extend to them the olive branch of
peace, and ask that all good men arise in
their sovereign capacity to strengthen the
arm OF the law and protect ali citizens
against mobs. assassination and violence.
Rcsolved, That the determined and in
creasing efforts of the enemies of our race
to establish what is known as the color line,
presents q condition of affairs to be de.
plored by all lovers of liberty and order
and one which threatens continually the
peace, security and prosperity of both black
and white.
Resolrcd, That we hold no sympathy with
official rOgues, but most earnestly condemn
dishonesty, corruption and infidelity to pub.
lie trust, 10 whomsoever found, and that
we most heartily subscribe to the policy
"Let no guilty man escape"
hc<
ciate the services rendered in our behalf
by President Grant, and return him cur
sincere thanks for the same, and assure him
Of our lasting gratitude.
OF the convention, H. V. R. writes to the
Cincinnati Commercial:
The Morton interest ia altogether the
largest in the convention, and had it not
been for the three Kentucky delegates,
who are Bristow men, Morton plank
might have been inserted in the bodv of
the resolutions, giving him q send.off for
the presidency. As it wac, to promote har
mony, his friends, who numbered . great
majority OF the convention, c0ntented them
selves with resolution reciting that Nor
ton, ''by his unyieldlng advocacy of Sena-
tor Pinchback's claims deserves
the lasting gratitude Of the colored Ameri.
cans
This really means an Endorsement of Nor
ton tor the presidency, whatever the word
ing may be. But to prevent row in camp
it was couched in the above terms.
never knew how much the colcred peo.
pie took Pinchback's rejection to heart
until attended this convention. After sll
these years of toll and suffering and mar
tyrdom for the Republican party, that their
chosen representative should be driven
away from the doors of the Senate. is to
them most humiliating. And if there was
anywhere to go but to the Democracy, :.
there would be shaking up of the dry
bones Of the Republican party in this lati-
tude. By resolution unanimously adopt
I'D the convention say that they regard
Pinchtack's rejection as 50 humiliation of
The pride of the cOlOred people Of America"
That is very mild compared to what thew
EEL. IT The race had the spunk of any
,ther race on earth: after all the Injustice
hey have suffered at the hands Of the
)arty which makes them packhOrses; after
aking the crumbs all these years, while |
he noble white pet-bsgger run off with
he fat; after the rejection of Pinchback,
Who, but for his color, would have been
after the theft of their hard earn
ngs through that chosen Republican fnan-
ial institution, the Freedmen's Savings
sank-after all this, say. and a thousand |
lAOA IAAoSo Sn0t AAlsAG V0 uduCU, IL CQcY i
ad the spunk Of any other race they |
7ould make that party feel that they are |
Ot owned by it body, soul and breeches.
| few independent spirits in the conven-
ION, having lost hope and patience, wanted
D inaUgurate q slight rebellion in camp,
ut they we're smothered. There is nothing
, go to but the terrible Democratic party,
nd that fact is really the great suppresser
rebellions in the negro ranks. Set up
10 Democratic party in front of a person
color and he will make tracks in the
her direction.
As it is, the two best minds in the con-
clear view of the situation, were Pinch
ack and Smith. These men counseled
at the colored people could not always go
! IN the course that had been marked out
X them. The division of parties in the
,uth on race lines would eventually lead
the determination of the blacks. This
ew of the case was urged by these men.
1t they were eftectually suppressed by the
'edominating element, who propose to 20
! in the old way.
No result in particular will flow from this
except that the delegates will
} away with something to talk about.
,e seeds of independent thought have
en s0wn, and good fruit may therefrom
borne in the distant future.
this city the effect of the convention
II be good. A large number of represen-
tive cOlored men have been here in assem-
y. and it is but candid to say that their
ility in debate has astonished the white
Ople of Nashville. And the whites give |
em ample credit. l hear old ex-rebels |
y-men who are supposed to be filed to
Q brim with prejudice-that they never
tened to more able debate aud speeches
an they heard in this convention.
Our Senators Abroad.
The Cincinnati Enquirer has seen two of
r leading COlOred lepislatora in that citv |