Huntsville gazette., 1883-10-06
NATIONAL COLORED CONVENTION.
Convention of Representative Colored Men
at Louisville-Fred Douglass in the Chair
Their Declaration to the People.


at Louisville-Fred Douglass in the Chair
Their Declaration to the People.
LOUISVILLE, KY, Sept 26.
The National Colored Convention held q
stormy and protracted session to-day, and
at midnight, after a somewhat acrimonious
debate, adopted the following:
The National Convention Of coIored men, as
sembed respectfully present the following as
embracing and presenting their views and
sentiments:
l. We are grateful for and rejoice in the
miraculous emancipation that came to our
race twenty years ago. The shock or embat-
tied arms was the lullaby of q nation born in,
q day" We do not we can not, forget the
great sacrifice of women and heroic men who
made possible the struggle in which treason
and slavery were consigned to common se-
pulcher, nor would we be unmindful of the,
measure of devotion and patriotism that the
1S6,0i7 colored soldiers rendered to the ma
ton in the war for the preservation OF the ma
ton.
Congress of the United States has spread upon
the statute books many laws calculated to
make us secure in our rights as citizens, nor
should we be forgetful of the magnificent
amendments to the Constitution intended to
render forever impossible the crime of human
slavery.
3. We do not ask any more class legislation,
we had enough of this, but we do believe that
many of the laws intended to secure us our
rights as citizens are nothing more than dead
letters In the Southern States almost with
out an exception, colored people are denied
justice in the courts, denied the fruit of their
honest labor. defrauded of their political
rights at the ballot-box, shut out from learn
ing trades cheated out of their civil rights by
inn-keepers and common carrier companies,
and left by the State to an inadequate oppor-
tunity for education and general improve
ment
T. We regard the labor question, education
and sound moral training paramount to all
other questions. We believe that question,
especially in the South. needs recastlng, and
plantation credits and the mortgage system
should be abolished; honest labor should be
remunerated; land-holders of the South
should recognize that this question is to be
solved by encouraging negroes TO industry,
frugaity and business habits, by inciting them
to habits of thrift by assisting them TO ac-
Quire an interest in the soil, by paying them
honest wages for honest work and by making
them contented and happy in the land of their
nativity White men and owners of the soil
in the South can settle the question OF labor
and capital between the white and black. We
believe in a broad, comprehensive system
looking toward the education of young col
ored girls, so that they may become intelh-
gent and faithful women, and young colored
boys may learn trades and become useful
men and good citizens. The religious and
moral training, of the youth of our race should
not be neglected.
5. The hope of every people is adherence to
sound sociological and ethical principles The
moral element in the character is of greater
value than wealth or education, and this must
be fostered by the family and encouraged by
the pulpit.
g. The failure of the Freedman's Sayings
Bank and Trust Company is a marvel of our
times. 1t was established to receive the earn
ings of persons heretofore held in bondage
and the descendants of such persons. 1t was
established by the Government and thought
solvent. In chan ging the charter the trustees
transcended their authority and thereby made
themselves liable. The Government in ap-
pointing special machinery to close the insol-
vent institutions violated the United States
statutes on bankruptcy, and should therefore
reimburse creditors of the bank.
Z. The distinction made between white and
colOred troops in the regular army is un-
American, unjust ungrateful. White men
can enter any branch of the service while col
Ored men are confined to the cavalry and in
fantry service, and in the appointment of civil
ians to the regular army all believe it the duty
slider the claims of colored men. This distinc-
ton is carried into the navy as well.
g. 1t is not our province to dictate policy
for the government of the action of our
fellow citizens in the several States. 1T is
matter that their circumstances, patriotism
and needs should shape.
9. As a race struggling and contending for
our political and civil rights, we are not un-
mindful of the efforts of Ireland to gain her
rights, and we extend to our Irish friends
profound sympathy and best wishes.
10, We earnestly desire the abolition OF the
chain-gang convict system, and the admission
to trade unions of men of our race, and en-
ployment in commercial pursuits.
Ii. In nearly every State in the Union, both
North and South, people of our race are not
allowed to enter freely into trades or gain
employment in the higher walks OF life. This
is unworthy of our institutions and hurtful to
the reputation of our country at home and
abroad.