The bee., 1883-05-26
THE coLonrD CONVENTION.
THE COMMITTEE AUTHORIZED TO MOD.
IFY THE CALL-PRocEEDiEes OF
A MEETING HEED LAST NIGHT -
eREENER bENoNcEp as TRAITOR.


eREENER bENoNcED as TRAITOR.
In response to published call the
Emancipation day convention fe-asa
sembled last Tuesday evening at the
Virginia Aventie Baptist Church.
Representatives were present from
thirteen of the Legislative districts. Mr..
M. NJ, Holland, the chairman, in call
ing the meeting to order, recited what
had been done by the committee ap-
pointed to call national convention
of colored men, to be held here heSt
September. "Greatly to our surprise
he said, "We found that a number of
gentlemen temorarily residing in the
District objected on the ground that
we had no right to issue such a call;
that the gentlemen representing you
were not representative of the race.
and that Washington was not tue
place, and the time set was an improp-
er time-and the committee feeling
they could not do otherwise than they
did, under the instructions in the
resolutions, felt that in order to har-
monizie the different elements it was
necessary to get further instructions
from you, and for that purpose you
have been re-convened."
THE RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, In the exercise Of well
organized right, this convention believ-
ing that National convention of col
ored men ves needed at this juncture:
and knowing that in all such @matters
somebody must lead, took the respon-
sibility of appointing committee of
twenty-five. and instructed the said
committee to call National conven-
| tion of cOlored men to meet in Wash
ington in the month of September
next; and
Whereas, 1t now appears that there
is difference of opinion among some
persons favorable to the convention, as
to the proper time and place of holding
it, and
Whereas, Though we still believe
that the Capital of the Nation is the
right place in which the convention
should be held, and hope the matter
will be so decided, nevertheless, in
| order to remove all ground of COM
plant and secure unanimity, we here
| authorize the committee of twenty-five
so to modify the existing call for the
said convention in respect of time and
place for holding it. and enlarge the
committee on call, as shall secure the
need how specified;
Resolced, That we leave it to the
wisdom of that committee to point out
the mode of action by which a decis-
ion as to time and place for holding
the convention shall be reached.
Resolved, That nothing has been
said or done here or elsewhere that
ought to impair the confidence of the
colored people of the United States,
in the ability, integrity and patriot
ism of the committee of twenty-five,
and that the fact that the faction
which has denounced the convention
as needless and hurtful has, at the
same time, arranged its machinery for
holding such a convention, demon
strates its insincerity and its destitu-
tion of principle, and shows its action
to spring from reckless ambition, envy
and jealousy; a disposition to rule or
ruin.
nesoEoed, That this convention, re-
sents with Indignation, the abuse
shamelessly and causelessly heaped
upon Hon. Frederick Douglass, the
chairman of the committee of twenty
five, who neither sought nor desired
the prominence given him on that COM
mittee, but was placed there in recog-
milton of his fifty years service to the
cause of liberty and equality, service
which began while he was yet in bond
age and is continued until now.
After remarks by Andrew St. Clair
Smith, R. D. Ruffin. Rev. r. S. Laws,
Mr. Wilkinson and others, the res0lu-
tions were passed and the meeting adj
journed.
A long discussion followed, some of
those present being opposed to show
ing the "white feather" even in con-
ceding the point of time and-place.
Mr.. Holland stated, in order, as he
said, to correct misapprehension,
that the committee had unanimously
resolved to remove Prof. Greener from
the committee.
Most of the speakers were very Sc
we're on Greener.
GREENER DENOUNCED.
A. st. A. Smith declared Greener a
traitor to the committee, in pretending
ho< .r{
things that he knew very we'll they
had no intention of doing. when
the truth is found out" he declared
with some vehemence, 1.-The opposition
to this convention comes from those
who are negro Democrats at heart.
They intend, if any selling is to be
done, that they will be the men to bar
ter them Off" Referring to the South
Carolina election of 1876, Mr.. Smith
asked, "who was the first man to come
from South Carolina and shake Wade
Hampton by the hand?"
"Greener," shouted one or two of
those present.
"Yes, Greener." said Smith, ''you all
know him. He wants to run with
the hounds and hide with the hare"
Mr.. Smith further accused Greener of
having gone to Cabinet officers and
asked the discharge from office of men
in that convention.
r. S. Laws in his speech paid a high
tribute to Mr.. Fred. Douglass, whom
he termed the National Negro Hero
of America"
R. D. Ruffin, W. G. Chase, J. w.