American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-05-17


Parish Conventions. Before a vote WIS
taken on the report of the committee
fv GsaFf sts soeesg
Louisiana, addressed the Conyention. His
SAID Is sosG sRa e s9Io
present would refrain from voting on any OF
the resolutions or reports introduced. They
| whites, who constituted the capitalists, mer-
chants, and owners of the land. Let them
come forward with their guarantees and if
satisfactory, indorse them; otherwise state
your objections.
The speaker was followed by H. B. Robin
son (colored), n large farmer of Phillips
County, Ark. In the same strain, which adj
y1se was generally heeded, for when the
vote wis takeh on the report only whites
voted.
A Cammittee OF thirteen on Resolutions was
appointed by the Chair; to- whom all resolu-
tiQns introduced verb referred without de-
bite,
the Convention then ad journed till o'clock
referred was one which read:
Resoired. That this Convention being, called
and assembled to take into consideration the
material interest OF the people Irrespective
OF party o. eclor; no resolution of a political
character shall be entertained by the Chair,
and debate on such question shall be out of
order.
SECOND DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
VICKsBURG, Miss, May There was a
sippi Valley Labor Convention this morning:
The first business claiming the attention of
tee o SRs Of throsh
Chairman, w. l.. Nugent, submitted the fol.
lowing, preceded by somewhat lengthy
Of the Comt nitteei had etYen rise to the pres
emit exodus 6f the'eb1ored peoplS:
THE REsoLbrIoNs:
Rcsolred, That the interests of the planters,
laborers, landlords and tenants are identical !;
that they must prosper or suffer together;
that it is the duty Of the planters and land
lords of the States here represented to devise
end adopt Some contract system with labor.
ers and tenants. by which both parties will
receive the full benefit of labor governed by
intelligence and economy.
Resolved That this Convention does affirm
that the coiored race has been placed by the
Constitutions of the United States and the
States here represented and the laws thereof
on plane OF absolute legal equality with
the white race, and does declare that the col
ored race shall be accorded the political en-
joyment of all its rights, civil and political,
guaranteed by said Constitutions and laws.
Resoitet, That IT, this end the members of
this Cow ention pledge themselves to rse
whatever power and influence they possess
to protec ct the cOlOred race against all danger
in respect to a fair expire ssion of their will at
the polls, which, they apprehend may result
the part of the whites, and as there can be 20 o
liberty of action without freedom of thought,
they demand that all elections shall be fair
and free, and that no represslve measures
shall be employed by the colored people to
deprive their own race In part OF the fullest
freedom in the exercise OF the highest right
of citizenship.
Resolred, That the unrestricted credit sys-
tenn pervading the States here represented
based upon liens or mortgages on stock crops
to be grown in the future, followed by short
crops. has provoked distrust, created unrest
and disturbed their entire laboIing popula-
ton; all laws authorizing liens on crops for
advances constituted of articles ether than
those of prime nece ssity at moderate profits,
whether such advances are made by land
lord, planter or merchant, should be dis
countenanced and repealed.
Resotred, That this Convention call upon
the coIored people here present to contra.
tm INN ed upon the more ignorant and cred
ulous; to instruct them that nd lands, mules
or money await them in Kansas or elsewhere
without labor or price, and report to the CIV
ii authoriti' s all persons engaged in dissent
Mating such reports.
Resoired That it is the constitutional right
of the colored people to emigrate when they
please, to whatever State they may select fer
residence but this Convention urges them to
proceed in their movements towards emigra-
ton as reasonable humans, providing IN ad-
vance by economy and effective labor means
for transportation and settlement, and sus-
tanning their reputation for honesty and fair
dealing by preserving intact until compile
had been already made. If, when they have
done this, they shall still desire to leave, all
obstacles to their departure will be removed,
all practicable assistance viii be afforded to
them and their places will be supplied with
other contented labor.
believe that, If the views expressed in the
foregoing resolutions are practically carried
out by the people of both races, I'm good faith,
the disquiet of our people will subside. We
appeal to the people of both races 1E the
States here represented to aid us in carrying
these resolutions into effect; to report to the
authorities all violations of laws and all in
reference with private right"
Some discussion of the resolutions follow
ed and ex- Gov. Foote offered series as a
substitute which was rejected. and the origi-
nal resolutions were then adopted. The col
ored delegates refrained from voting, under
the advice of their leading men, but several
of them spoke in favor of their adoption and
said they had been consulted by the commit
tee and that concessions had been made on
both sides.
The Convention then adjourned sine die.
The general sentiment OF the whites is to
faithfully carry out the provisions OF the
resolutions adopted. The negroes have but
little to say. Many express their opinion that
the result of the Convention will stop the ex-
will afford opportunity to test the sincerity
of the pledges made by the whites. The Con
yention was noted for its wealth and inteln
gence. The leading cotton planters of the
Mississippi Valley were in attendance, as
were also the most prominent leaders OF the
colored people of the South.