Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-05-08
THE COLORED CONVENTION


The capabilities of the convention of COL
ored citizens now in session at Nashville are
immense. 1t is a congregation of represen-
tative men of the race from every part of
the union, convened for the purpose of dis
cussing whatever measures may be thought
to conduce to their welfare. According as
the conclusions of the convention may be
wise or the reverse, the interests of the race
will be advanced or retarded. The conven.
ton is in no sense a political one. 1t was
called to discuss industrial rather than po-
litlcal topics. It cannot, be denied but the
colored men labor under certain disadvan
tages in the labor market of the country.
These are attributable to great extent to
the condition of servitude in which they
have for so many generations resided. They
lack the educational advantages that the white
men possess, and their sphere of labor
is in consequence circumscribed. Few of
them have been able to become accom-
plished in any of the useful trades or arts,
consequently they are simply laborers, I'M
skilled, and therefore available only as farm
hands and for the coarser forms of work.
make success in intellectual pursuits; few
reach distinction in the learned professions.
It is very evident that the development of
the race must take place by gradual pro-
cess. The Caucasian has attained his pres
ent pre-eminence by the same route. The
negro, by his long debasement, has been
rendered incapable of filling an exalted rank,
and must be content to approach it as all
other races have-by development. The
first purpose of the Nashville convention
ought to he to stimulate desire among the
! colored people for mechanical industry. The
| first step towards the development Of. The race
must be taken in this direction. The ad-
vantages of skilled over unskilled labor
ought to be presented to them in it's most
emphatic light, and measures ought to be
adopted to afford to all who desire the op
portunity of acquiring useful trade. The
discipline that is given in this requirement
of trade is invaluable through the whole
of ones life. He not only acquires knowl
edge of the details of the particular bust
ness in which he may be engaged, but h
attains knowledge of the wants of the com
munity ct large which is of great service j.
the details of every day life. Certainl.
something ought to be done to raise tn
negro from the condition of day labore1
AS long as he remains in that condition b
will be but little better off than he was il
the days Of slavery. His labor will com
mand but low remuneration, an
he will be the buffet of the rest q
the community as long as he confines him
self to the coarser forms of manual labor
But whenever he under takes to make him
self mechanic he will rise not only in th
labor market of the world, but in the socis
scale. A trade is the stepping stone to
profession, and progress in the upward seal
is natural and easy.
} We sincerely trust that the Nashville Col
vention will exercise wisdom in their delit
/ eratlons. The colored race is an importa1
factor in our social and political systom, an
it is to the interest of every citizen to assii
, in their elevation. Their wrongs can t
} rightea only through their own efforts.
: they prove themselves worthy citizens of tt
republic they can command respect and col
) sideration, but they cannot win esteem III
/ less they make an honest effort to impro,
) their condition in the labor market of tt
country, S