The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-08-07
CONVENTIONS.


Every few months the newspaper
readers of the Country, are informed
that "Colored' convention, State or
National, is to be held somewhere, or
is already in session, celebrating
over, no person in the world knows
what, and adjourning without ac-
complishing a particle of good, but
often doing serious harm, by creating
animosities,and stirring up jealousies
that would otherwise not have arisen.
National colored conventions, were
held in Nashville, in '76 and 70,
and one was held i'm this State at
Terre Haute, last August. Illinois,
New Jersey, and other states have
had theirs this year, and we presume
that others will come in due time.
Now we know that conventions,
which are the outgrowth of the town
meeting, are often fruitful of much
good, when there is grievance to
remedy provided the right course is
pursued. But right there Is the diff
ficulty; the right course is hardly ever
pursued. The conventions is very
frequently called when there is no
need what ever for it, merely to
serve the purpose of some individual,
who has "a private grievance to be
alleviated, or who has little political
ak of his own that needs the shapen-
ing touch of the convention grind
stone is called with a wortyobject IN
view. Often the convention and then
falls into the hands of some demago-
CUES, who use it tor their own ends.
The convention generally assem-
bles, and then ensues long, desper-
ate and bitter struggle, for the chair
manship, and subordinate officers.
The craftsmanship is sought after with
as much alacrlty, energy, and
chi :anery, as ward politician
employs in his still hunt for lucra-
tive municipal or County office. The
vice presidency, secretaryship, chair
manship of committee, or any
minor position, is sought with as much
greedy avidity as politicians struggle
for congressional, gubernatorial, sem
atoriaI, or Presidential nominal ions
The opportunity to accomplish the
good that might be done, is generally
destroyed by the bitterness of this
contemplate preliminary struggle.
The legitimate result ofsuch work is
that one clique Of demagogues gets
possession Of the organizations; and
the convention after wrangling day
or two over some foolish "pint," or
more foolish resolution, breaks up in
row, without accomplishing any
good. Now what good has any of the
recent conventions, National or State,
accomplished? They have only given
prominece to a few men, who want to
trade in supposed popularity. The
time for such foolishness has passed
awy. A period must be put to it. To
thoroughly expose, and put an end to
| it, it is a mission work for somebody
to fill, and we can think of no better
means of accomplishing 1t than
through the Negro Press. Let these
convention barnacles understand that
their ignorant manipulations; and
leadership is no longer to be toera-
ted. Let them understand that the
general good of the Negro race, is
more worthy of public consideration,
than their own private ambitions.
Let them know that they can not use
all the Colored people as tools to ac-
complish their own aims. Let them
know that they must take a
back seat when these conventions do
meet When this is accomplished a
geat step will have been taken in
advance.