Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-10
THE NASHVILLE coEFEpTNoy

In the report OF the committee on
address madein the colored convcu-
ton at Nashville yesterday, it is com.
planned, among other things, that the
colored people in the South arc pro-
scribed in the school-room, in the
church, in places of amusement. in
the jury box, and in the local offices
OF the government In other words,
to get at the bottom of the grievance,
they are not on social equality with
the whites, are not invited into
parlors, are not desired in the
same pew at church, or in
the same school-room with the
white children, and that they are not
rulers in politics. The intelligent ones,
like Pinchback, who made the report
know that this is practically the case
at the North where colored people
7were born free, and have been educa-
sted, as well as given, we suppose, as
fair a chance in most matters as the
whites. Yet they occupy a subordi-
nate position as a class. We would
have them enjoy, to the fullest extent,
every right they are entitled to under
the law, but they will find that mere
citizenship does not bring social
or intellectual equality. These things
are governed by laws of nature which
no statute can change or govern.
Labor in the South, as elsewhere.
will command what it is worth. The
land owners can complain also that
they are not making money. Many of
them are unable to improve their
places. This results mainly from the
financial system of the country and
the consequent low price of cotton.
We have a ruinous credit system here
in the South, which as long as it
prevails viii ever prevent general
prosperity. All classes are affected
by it; the colored people more than
the whites, because they are less in
telligent They go to the country
stores and run in debt to the extent of
their credit, and generally come out
in debt at the end of the year. If the
conference at Nashville would advise
them to stop this policy and try to ac-
cumulate means and buy homes and
improve them, either in the South or
the West, as might suit them best, it
might do them some good. The report
while containing some bitter and un-
true things, makes the admission that
colOred people are excluded from
workshops, trades and other re-
munertive business and advance
ment in the North. They will
find this the case in Kansas as
well as elsewhere. Some very good
suggestions are made to the youth of
the race as to the observance of strict
morality, temperate habits, economy,
etc. The central idea of the report
is that the rights of the race
can only be secured by education,
and that the general government
should establish general school sys-
TEN for all alike from the proceeds Of
public lands sales. AS to emigration,
the aid society established at Wash.
ington is heartily ndorsed, though no
definite recommendation is made about
going West, Pinchback made it suit
TO bring in the name Of Grant as the
next nominee for President by the
party, which was received with
immense applause. The conference
was not a very digni6ed affair,
hut as much so as could be
expected. There was nothing said or
done to indicate that the colored pee
pie have made, as a class, much pro-
gresg in refinement, good behavior or
common sense. Great disorder pre-
vailed frequently, and a very intoler-
ant spirit was manifested. Those in
the minority on the main questions
%ere hoOted down and not permitted
to speak. This is a representative
body of men specially invited. No
great good will come of the conference.