New-York tribune., 1879-05-07
THE TWO RACES IN CONFERENCE.

THE TWO SERIES OF REsOLUIIOSs-wHAT COL
oRED MEN SAY OF THE RESULT.
VICKsBURG. Miss, May 6-The Mississippi
Valley Labor Convention composed both of white
and colored delegates organized here yesterday
with the following list Of officers:
President-General W. L. Miles, OF Holmes County,
Miss.
vlce-Presidents-T. F. Cassel Memphis Tenn; James
Hi. Jackson. Miss; II. B. Robinson, Helena, Ark;
A. w. Crandall, Madison Parish La.
The coored men did not vote on the questions
presented to the meeting. Several Of their speakers
advised them not to, saying that they had come to
listen to what propositions the white men would
make to them, and that they had better abstain
from voting until the white men had been heard
from.
The convention reassembed at 10 o'clock this
morning. There was very large attendance.
THE EXPLANATION OF THE WHITE MEN,
The Committee on Resolutions submitted the fol-
lowing report through its chairman. w. L. Nugent:
Mr. PRESIDENT: Your Committee Resolutions beg
leave respectfully to report that they have inquired
into the causes winch have given to the recent
the limited time allowed, and while these causes
difficult ascertain. owing to exceptional cases OF all
kinds brought to their attention. tney believe the fOl-
lowing to include those which may be considered proxi
mate The low price OF cotton and partial failure OF
the crops of the past year. the Irrational system or
planting adopted in some sections whereby labor was
deprived OF the intelligence to direct and the presence
economy to make IL pr0ttaoe vicious system or
credit f0stered by laws permitting laborers
and to % ppPeens
on the part many colored people produced by nsid
IONS rpports circulated among them that their civil and
poitca rights are endangered likely be; hurtful.
false diligently disseminated that Dy emgra-
ting TO Kansas the coored people would obtain land,
mules money, etc, from the Government without cost
TO then selves and become independent farmers Many
reta country storekeepers nave engaged in the busi
meas selling whiskey laborers and tenants thereby
corruptng their morals rend' ring their labor insuf-
fcien and destroying the pleasant relations between
the IN and their landlords ana employers.
It Is matter OF astonlshment to your committee
epedit trs5 tue the idle sofes circulated Of prom
ised land, where their wants would be sup
piled and their Independence secured without exer-
non on their part 1t going to the extent OF gnor
ance and crcduty to credit them and yet evidence o.
IA 10 this matter 1t Is OF the factors IN the move
ment and which we cannot now forecast There are IN
Belonging to the United states subject homestead
Any thrifty Si, a IN e At sSg'9 Se pI
e0ss e%e' OF OF about SIS Lands in Kansas cannot
acues World fpF csa sa' un.sa secure Rs
larger by honest toll than among us but idle
bo ana Wsni be S for State soud be- shaped so as
10 foster habits OF industry the coored people,
elevate the standard OF social mores and improve and
SeeT our by parties equally desrous Of
reaching the conclusion VIZ: To ascertain griev-
d T II he single purpose of ali was to accomplish
this result without the influences which our past expert
ences have engeudered to affect IT, this might be done
but 1t could only be done with full knowledge OF all
the facts. etc.
blacks alike each In turn have controlled the gov
erumcn of the States here represented may be safely
H. standing upon the living present looking hopefully
To- the future which is before us, your committee think
their duty accomplished when they nave adopted ana
renortcd these resolutOnsi
Resolred, That the Interests OF planters laborers.
landlords and tenants identical that they must
prosper and suffer toget1er hat Is the duty OF plant
@ and landlords OF the states here represented to de-
wise and adopt some contract system with aborers and
tenants by which both parties Will receive the full ben
e o 6"r a hls Convention does affirm that the
colore race has placed by the Constitution of the
thereof on plane OF absolute legal equality with
the white race and does declare that the coored race
shsl he accorded practical enjoyment OF all rights,
civil and political guaranteed by said Constitution and
BSso,rsd That TO this end the OF this
ton pledge themselves to whatever power and in
uence they possess to protect h9 coorea race against
wills at the polls which they apprehend may result
from fraud, intimidation or ouldozng on the part OF
whites and as be no liberty OF action without
freedom OF thought demand that all elections shal De
oo md fair and that no repressiye measures shall he
employed by coored people to deprive their own race
of the fullest freedom III the exercise oi tne rRht OF
PSsoIrsd That the unrestricted credit system pervad
ing the states here represented, based upon liens or
mortgages on stocks and crops 10 be grown IN the future
foIo1ed nv short crops has provoked dsrust created
unrest and disturbed their entire laboring population
All laws authorizing liens crops for advances OF art
ces-other tnaD those OF prime necessity at moderate
prohts-whether such advances are made Dy landlord,
planter merchant should be diScounehahced ana re-
Resoired, That this convention calls upon colored
people here contradict false reports circulated
among and impressed upon the more lshorant anu
credulous Instruct them that no lands mules or
money await them Kansas elsewhere without labor
or price and report TO the civil authorities ali per
sons disseminating such reports. ,s-,
people to emgrate when they please TO whatever state
they NAV select for residence but THIS CONVENTION urges
them to proceed In tner movements towuiu enlsS nv
ton as reasonable humans. providing III advance py
economy means for transportation ana settlement ana
usaninp their reputation for honesty and fair dealing
Inv preserving intact until the completion OF such con
tracts for labor leasing as have ALREADY Deen made ~
when they have done this they still desire to leave, all
obstacles their departure VIII ne removed, an pdc
tcable assistance will be afforded TO them and their
rIaces will pe supplied with other cOnented labor.
Your committee believe that n the views expressed 10
ueope of bo races good ath the disquet Of our peo
pie viii subside. We appeal 70 people OF DOTH races III
Tho STATES here to aid us In carrying these
resolutions into effect TO report 10 the AUTHORITIES al
violations OF laws ana ali interference WIN private
rights.
GOVERNOR FoOTE OFFERS SUBSTITUTE.
Al the conclusion of the reading of the resolu-
tions. Ex-Governor Foote secured tho hoor aud Of
fered the following in lieu thereof
Wh,r,as II was been publicly and persstenty
asserted in various quarters In manner calculated 10
deeply wound the sensibiues of all parets tt III GER
t off the Federal Union represented IN this body,
as well as elsewhere that The thlreent iOureehth hnu
Hfteenth amendments the Federal Constitution ana
iasatiye enactments adopted from time to time forthe
enforcement thereof have been nagranty vlOaed anu
,he nrecous rights and immunes designed thereby TO
be seenred as permanent heritage TO most mertorl-
ous and long suffering class OF this people nave been
wIsreas It has been Of late abundantly evident that,
owing tn causes which have not time 70 Hinutey
eTnl6re Misunderstanding and dstrust nave arisen
when clearly Indicate the coming upon US OF evils OF
mnrc serious and detrimental character than any hereto
Tore x which 1t Is not possible TO avert
sovc br tLe application OF remedies OF more eompre
%ensye and effective character than any heretofore put
In use therefore -. 81, A., .to
aud two other persons TO be associated win h Dy the
unannous vote OF those here assembled, are hereby
apDonted committee for the purpose OF carrying into
ehct he wishes and objects sought 10 be attained by
mis- and that II shall be the duty OF TINS
nrTnittee 10 nominate and appoint, at as early day
s a local committee OF at least i've mem
ber I'm each counties and parishes belonging totne
renresented In tos convention of known probity,
and nat IL shall be the OF