The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-07-17

dan nominated Mr.. Lawson for tenn
porary Chairman, and w. H. Hopper,
Of Passaic, for temporary Secretary.
Mr.. Lawson then addressed the Con-
vention, and during the hour and five
minutes which he occupied, said,
among other things, that this was the
death struggle of the Republican
party-a sentiment which the Con-
vention did not seem to endorse nor
does The SENTINEL.
Committees were then appointed on
Credentials, Permanent Organization
and Resolutions. The Chairman
stated that it would be wise to make
the Committee on Resolutions also a
Committee on Rules, as there were
not delegates enough to go round
This was objected to, and enough
were drawn from the other committees
to form one on Rules. The Conven-
ton then took recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Upon re-assembling, the Committee
on Credentials made a report which
did not seem to give satisfaction
The trouble was finally bridged over
by the adoption of resolution recog-
nizing as delegates all the colored men
present The Committee on Perma-
nent Organization reported the follow
ing officers who were unanimously
elected: President, G. N. Robinson
Vice Presidents, W. H. Hopper, J. S.
Merritt, Albro Lyons Secretaries,
Jesse Lawson, w. F. Powell.
Messrs. John D. Bagwel and A. J.
Aldridge conducted Mr.. Robinson to
the chair. Mr.. Robinson made
short speech, in which he thanked the
Convention for the honor of electing
him Chairman, and asked that they
deliberate with wisdom on the ques-
tons affecting their interests Mr..
j. P. Johnson Howard was then in
troduced to the Convention, and es-
corted to seat on the platform. The
President introduced Gen. Judson
Fitzpatrick. Gen. Fitzpatrick delivered
an able speech, in which he paid
glowing tribute to the colored people
for their fidelity to the Republican
party, and prophesied the triumphant
election of Garfield and Arthur. A
vote of thanks was then rendered
Gen. Fitzpatrick.
Rev. John D. Bagwel next adj
dressed the Convention. Mr. Bag
we'll spoke with considerable earnest
ness and power, at times being really
eloquent. Mr.. J. P. johnson Howard
then spoke upon the desirability of
more thorough and complete organi-
zation among the colored people. Mr..
Towards remarks were loudly APP
plauded
Mr.. Lawson, from the Committee
on Resolutions, reported long series
of resolutions, of which the following
is the substance
The United States is nation, and
not a confederation of independent
States. We are Republicans from
choice the Republican party of the
Nation and State is the only existing
organization through which our po-
litical and civil rights may be secured.
We renew our support to the Repub-
ican party. The colored vote is in
dispensable to the triumph of the
Republican party, and therefore de-
mands that recognition which is due
to political strength. We disapprove
of the act disbanding the only colored
regiment of the State. The exodus
of our people from the South to the
West is largely due to the conciliatory
policy of the present administration.
We demand from the Republican
party of the State that recognition
and representation which is due to
our numbers and influence in the dis
tribution of the political patronage of
the State and the civil service of the
United States That a committee of
five present an address to the people
of the United States, setting forth the
necessity of holding a National Col
ored Convention. That representa-
tive white Republicans make can
vass of the South, and that representa-
tive colored Republicans fill their
places in the North.
A State Committee was then APP
pointed. Letters were read from
George T. Downing and others, and
the remaining twenty-nine delegates
adjourned.