Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-04-08
The Nashville Convention Of COlOred
People.

The Nashville Convention 81 COlOred
People.
The colOred people held a convention
at Nashville during the past week. \
full resume Of their proceedings has not
reached Us, and we are unable to speak
definitely of their work. Pinchback, of
] a., who still smarts under his rejection
by the L. ). Senate, is said to be the lead
ing spirit of the body, and to pull the
wires by which his brethren dance. Nor
ton is tn, choice of the majority as a
presidential candidate, though BristOw
is cropping out even among the colOred
friends. Judge Gibbs was chosen per-
maneut chairman of the convention, and
on taking the chair made the following
speech, which rings out clear note of
defiance TO both parties, and rather init
mates that hereafter the cSlored man will
go for his best friend and surest protector
without reference to his party affiliations:
The object for which you have been
convened has been stated here.
We have been criticised with regard to
calling a special convention, but we have
that privilege, should we desire TO do So
We claim the highest privileges of Amer
lean citizens, and that the broad panOply
of citizenship shall be wrapped around
us. The good people of Nashville VIII
see in this claim that we ask nothing but
| justice and the rights demanded by all
other classes in our land.
When we were enfranchised, enVeloped
with the rights of citizens, we really
/ thought that those rights would be pro-
/ tected and although ignorant and poor,
we thought we would find sufficient mag
nanimity and sufficient justice i'm the
| American people TO grant us the same
political rights and the rights before the
| law that they claimed themselves. We
are here to-day because these rights are
not accorded to us; NE are here because
until these rights are accorded to us we
! will not be satisfied. God helping US,
we never viii be satisfied until every
/ right given to American citizens shall be
| vouchsafed to US.
To consider the best way to do these
things; to look upon the past history of
the political parties of the country; to
consider what would be best from pOlit-
/ zeal standpoint; to see what can be done
| in an industrial point of view ito see how
we can help ourselves educationaliy-
these great objects will demand your at
tention, l hope that whatever may be
our disadvar tages, our deliberations may
he characterized by such wisdom and
unarimity rs Will convince those who
hear rs, or read of our dOinSs, that we
are capable of self-government.
We have cause for complaint, for dis
satisfaction. The party in power since
the war have not given us protection;
they have not dealt even handed with us
as it was their duty and within their pow
or to do. There should be no uncertain
sound in regard to this matter come from
us in this convention, There must be 4
reforiN, and we don't want any milk and
cider men among us. [Applause.l The
man or party who wishes our support
must afford us all the protection that
may be required by any American citi-
zen. 1t may be well for white and color
ed men up north TO talk about the sat
mOsphere' down here, but no cOlored
man has been any better treated than
have in my State. Individually l have
no cause to complain; but politically,
want to see all my race equally and justly
treated. We ask nothing but equal and
exact justice to all. If the white people
want the cOloTed people TO vote with
them, they should Outbid all others and
give us more than all others. Applause. J
Every thing being equal, would sooner
support man whom l have known from
| his birth than any other. But what is
/ the fact! The history of the Democratic
/ party has not given us ground for hope.
/ These are plain truths, and / speak them
0 III Il pAliI VI hlilullCSSs 4uCtE accession
| to power has not been signalized by any
movement TO lead us to suppose that they
believe in the citizenship If the black
man. Not only the people the South,
but the people of the whole country,
viii have to assure our protection, before
we can lend them our political support.
The following resolution was also in
trOduced in caucus and carried after a
hot debate:
Resolved, that, inasmuch as this is a
convention of the cOlOred men called in
the interest of the race, and not for the
purpose of advancing the interest of any
Presidential aspirant or candidate, it
would be unwise for this assembly to at
tempt to commit the cOlored people Of
this country to the support of any Presi-
| Dental candidate.