The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-10-04
COLORED CONVENTION.
The Black Race Holds National
Convention.
And Issue an Address to the People OF
the Country.

The National Convention of the colored
people convened in the large hall of the
Lederkranz building at Louisville, KY, and
was in session three days The convention
was called to order by M. N. Holland, of
Washington d. G. A M Green, of Louisi-
ana, was made temporary Chairman. In &C
cepting the chair he exhorted the delegates
to stand by the principles set down in the
call, and refrain from all discussions OF po-
litical questions j. n Gregory. OF Wash
mgton, was made temporary Secretary.
There was wrangle over the permanent
Craftsmanship, and some disorder marked
the proceedings Too many delegates want
ed to speak at once The Eastern men
charged the West and South with a
desire to dominate the convention,
and considerable feeling was worked
up. The vexed question as to who should
preside was finally settled by the choice
failing upon Frederick Douglass, who enter
tanned the convention with a two hours
speech He urged the people of his race to
move toward the goal of prosperity aud ed
ucation, and to compel the world to receive
them as equas He thought it time that
outrageous lynchings be stopped. and that
colleges. the professions and trades unions
welcomed the negro. The speaker told his
hearers that the colored race would never
be properly recognized until one of its class
w
position in the Cabinet resolution was
adopted that bis address be sent to Con-
gresS Us the sentiment OF the convention.
good deal of time was spent in wranging
over the minor details OF the permanent
organization, which was finally completed,
and Committees on Civil Rights, Education,
Rolls, and Address were appointed Numer-
GUS resolutions intended to be sent to Con-
gress asking for back pay, for money lost
to depositors in the Freedman's Savings
RanE fnr EaHn iatt fnr ha
education of the colored people, etc, were
referred to the Committee on Resolutions
The follow ng resolution was introduced
by a delegate:
WHEREAS, The administration of President G.
A. Arthur is in harmony with the principles OF
the grand old Republican party: therefore be 1t
ReSOtped, That this National Convention OF
Colored Men assembled give to the admintstra-
ton their heartiest support.
This caused the widest uproar, and the
convention was on its feet. The South and
West pressed the resolution, while only a
few from the North and East appeared to
favor it. Personal violence was offered i'll
one instance, and bedlam followed but
finally the resolution, on motion of Her
bert, of Louisiana, went to the Committee
on Resolutions from which 1t was never re-
ported
kentucky delegate moved the follow
ing, which also made a great uproar
Resolped, That the colored people of the
United States In convention assembled do affirm
our devotion anew to the Republican party, and
will use our utmost endeavors for the continued
ast endency and control OF the National Gov
eminent, believing 1t TO be for the best interests
of the whole people.
The convention refused to adopt the
resolution. Many protested against bring
ing politics into the deliberations of the
body and only the wise decision or the
chair in sending the question to the Com
mitee on Resolutions saved the convention
from split
The convention adopted the following ad-
dress, after which it adjourned:
The National Convention of Colored Men re-
spectfully present the following embracing
and representing their views and sentiments:
l. That grateful for. and rejoice In the
miraculous emancipation that came to our race
twenty years ago The shock Of embattled arms
was the lullaby of thu nation born in a day. We
don't, we can t, forget the great sacrifice OF the
women and the heroic men who made possible
the struggle in which treason and slavery were
consigned to a common sepulcher. II we dld
We would be unmindful OF the measure OF de-
votion and patriotism that the lS6 white and
seven,coored soldiers rendered the nation.
? We are not insensible 10 the fact that the
Congress OF The United States has spread upon
the statute books many laws calculated TO make
us secure in righi seas citizens, nor would we
b, forgetful of the magnificent amendments TO
the constitution intended to render forever i'm
possible the crime of human slavery.
s. We do not ask any more class legislation.
We have had enough of this; but we do believe
rights ~ American citizens are nothing more
than dead letters. In the Southern States al
most without exception the colored people are
denied the fruit of their honest labor, defraud-
ed of their political rights at the ballot box, shut
ont from learning trades, cheated out of their
civil rights by innkeepers and common carrier
companies. and left by States to an inadequate
opportunity for education and general improve
ment.
T. We regard labor on the question of educa-
ton and moral training as paramount to all
other questions. We believe that the question,
especially in the South, needs recasting and that
plantation credits and the mortgage system
SHOULD be abolished. Honest labor should be
Iemunerated The landholders OF the South
should recognize that this question Is TO be
solved by encouraging the negroes to industry,
frugality, and business habits, by melting them
to habits of thrift, by assisting them to acquire
an interest in the soil, by paying them honest
wages for honest work, and by making them
their nativity. The white men and
owners of the soil of the South can
settle the question of labor and capital between
viii G and Dla k. We believe in broad and
Compr hensive system, looking toward the edu-
ca ion OF young colored girls so that they may
become intelligent and faithful women, and that
V, ung colored boys may learn trades and he
come useful men ant. good citizens The reltg-
lous and moral train ny Of the youth OF our
race should not be neglected. The hope Of every
people is adherence to sound social 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 encour-
s. The failure Of the Freedmans Savings
Bank and Trust Company, established to
ceive the earnings of persons heretofore held in
bondage and the descendants of such persons,
was marvellous 1t was established by the Gov
eminent and was thought solvent. In changing
the charter'the Trustees transcribed their au-
thoritv and thereby made themselves liable.
The Government. In appointing special machin-
cry TO close the insolvent institution, violated
the United States statut e5 on bankruptcy, and
should therefore reimburse the creditors of the
bank.
6. The distinction made between white and
colored troops IN the regular army is migrate
full. The white men can enter any branch Of the
service. while the coloryd men are confined to
the cavalry and infantry service, and in the APP
pontinent OF civilians to the regular army
believe it the duty of the President of the
United States to consider the claims OF the col
ored men. This distinction Is carried into the
navy as we'll
Z. It is not our province to dictate the policy
for the government OF our fellow-citZens In the
several 5 ates. IL is n matter that circum-
stances and patriotism should shape.
8. As "a race struggling and contending for
our political rights, we are not unmindful OF the
efforts OF Ireland to gain her rights; and we
terd 20 our Irish friends our profound symra-
thy and best wishes. We earnestly desire the
abolition of the chain gang convict system and
the admission to trades unions of men of our
race, and employments in commercial pursuits
9. In nearly every State in the union, both
North and South, people of our race are not al
lowed to enter freely into trades or to gain en-
ployment in the higher walks of life. This is