The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-05-21
THE NATIONAL COLORED CON
VENTION ADDRESS.
FERMENTATION OF GRIEVANCE AND REM
EDIES-

The National Colored Convention, recent,
! sitting at Nashville. issued an address 10 the
country, oil which the following the
I salient points:
Fifteen wears have elapsed since our eman-
cipation, and though have made material
Z advancement Is citizens. Vel We are forced to
admit that obstacles have been constantly
I thrown in our way to obstruct and retard our
/ progress Our toll Is still unrequited, hardly
1 less under freedom than slavery, whereby we
are sadly oppressed by poverty and Ignorance
/ and cOnseq uently prevented from enjoying
the blessings OF liberty, while are LETT 10
the shame and contempt OF all mankind. This
unfortunate state of affairs l. because OF the
intolerant spirit exhibited the part OF men
who control the South to-day. Free speech in
many localities i not tolerated. The lawful
rights OF citizenship are denied when MAORI
ties must be overcome. Prescription meets us
on every hand. In the sch0ol-room, in the
church that sings praises to that God who
made Of one blood all nations OF the earth,
in places OF public amusement, in the jury
box and in the local affairs OF government, we
are practically denied the rights and prlvi-
leges OF free men.
We cannot expect to rise to the dignity OF
true manhood under the system and pay as
practically carried out in some portions OF the
South to-day Wages are low at best, but
when paid in scrip, having no purchasing pow
er beyond the prescribed limits of landowners
it must appear obviously plain that
dition must remain the same. But with
a fair adjustment between capital and labor We
a. a race bv our industry would soon be placed
beyond want and on Sef-sustaining condition.
Our people in the North, while free from many
outrages practised our brethren OF the South,
are not wholly exempt from unjust discrimi-
nations. Caste prejdices have sufficient sway
to exclude them from the workshops, trades |
and other avenues of remunerative business |
and advancement. We realize that education
j. the potent lever by which we to be eleya |
ted to the plane OF useful citizenship. We |
have the disposition and natural ability to ac |
quire and utilize knowledge where equal IA |
cilitics are accorded but we are denied neces- |
sary advantages owing to a detective common !
school system, and non-enfOrcement OF the laws |
in most Southern States. We therefore favor |
and recommend e national educational system |
embracing advantages for all, the same TO be |
sustained by the proceeds derived from the |
sale OF public lands wholly unbiased bv party |
considerations. We contemplate the lamenta /
bic political condition OF our people, especial |
" in the South, with grave and serious appre-
tensions for the future. Having been given
the ballot for protection OF our rights, we find
that through systematic intimidation, outrage, |
violence and murder our votes have been sup
pressed. Our power thus given Us has been
made weapon against his.
We therefore heartily indorse the National
Emigration Aid Society recently organized at
Washington, d. c., and bespeak for it sue
cessful issue in its laudable undertaking.