The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-09-29
THE NATIONAL C0LOREp CONyEN-
-Tf0N.

Gathering of Representative Men of 1ie
Coiored Race ia Convention at Louisville,
Ky. Fred Dout lass Elected Presiding
On, err After Heated Contest.
LOUISVILLE. KY. Sept. "a.
The Colored Convention began its sessions
in this city at noon to-day, and it is a
notable gathering of representative men
OF the race. When twelve O'Clock came
the large hall of the Liederkrantz building
contained about 2s3 delegates and a large
number of colored and white spectators.
Nj. N. Holland, of Washington, an original
signer of the call, called the meeting to
order, when Rev. d. w. Arnett, of Nash
vile, delivered an eloquent prayer. The
names of A. NJ. Greene, of Louisiana; c. II.
Iandy, of Missouri; Fred Douglass, OF the
District Of Columbia; George l.. Rufin, Of
Massachusetts, and DIR. Fitzbutler, of Ken
lucky, were mentioned in elaborate nomi.
mating speeches for temporary Chairman.
The name of Fred Douglass was withdrawn
at the earnest request of his friends. who
designed pushing him for permanent Chair
man Greene, of Louisiana, was elected
and introduced to the Convention as q mar
tyr of the race. In accepting the nominal
ton, Rev. Mr.. Greene said that he felt il
an honor to preside temporarily over such
meeting, on soil made hallowed by the
Cassius NJ. Clay. In concluding his speech,
which recounted the past history of the
colored race and looked into its future con-
dition, he exhorted the Convention to stand
by the principles set down in the call, and
10 refrain from discussions of all political
questions. j. N. Gregory, of Washington,
u. c., was made temporary Secretary.
Pending balloting the following tele-
grams were received and read to the Con-
vention:
"Recognizing the fact that in republic
can governme mt the enactment and enforce
ment of laws for the protection of the rights
of citizens largely depends on the public
sentiment of the country, and believing
public sentiment is created by representa-
tive gatherings of the people, l regret my
inability to attend the Convention, owing
to the lateness of the reception of notice of
my election, l nominate Hon. A. 7. Du-
mont my proxy. Trusting the deliberations
of the Convention will be harmonious, dig
nfied, discreet and beneficial to those it
represents, am your obedient servant,
up. b. s. PINCHBACK."
"NEw HAVEN, CONN, Sept. "a, 1888.
"Connecticut greets the colored men Of
the nation, and prays them to memorialize
Congress in favor of a colored commission
bill.
(Signed) "ANDREw ]. CHAMBERS"
Among the prominent men attending are:
VIM. Mundell, editor of the Baltimore Yin
dicdtOr; w. Calvin Chase, of Washington,
d. c.; DR.. ]. w. w. Washington, of Chica.
go; H. Price Williams and H. Hughes,
Philadelphia; Jesse Lawson, New Jersey;
J. H. McGinnis, Delaware; Colonel George
NJ. Arnold, Virginia; d. A. Straker, South
Carolina; T. t. Joseph, Alabama; j. w.
Cromwell, Virginia; A. NJ. Geer, Louisiana;
w. r. Pledger. Atlanta, Ga; j. L. Kenne-
| dy, New Orleans, La; 7. H. Vance, Louis
| lana; Fred Douglass, r. s. Laws, and j.
| NJ. Gregory, District of Columbia; George
Rnctnn
rell, Baltimore, Md; j. G. Napier, Tonnes
see; 7. H. Bell, st. Louis, Mo-; W. H. Hol-
| linsworth, Kansas. Twentv-seven States
| are represented and no trouble about ac-
commodations: every delegate being pro-
vided Sor. Recess at 2:40 until seven
| O'Clock.
The convention reassembled promptly in
the evening and proceeded to the business
| OF organization. The convention got
| into protracted wrangle over the per-
manent craftsmanship. Fred Douglass had
been put in nomination, but the convention
did not show any great desire to elect him.
| ID. A. Straker of South Carolina had a
| strong following who nominated him and
| who made a hard fight for him.
The convention, during the early part of
| the evening session, was orderly, but feel
ing began to grow, Eastern delegates
charging the West and South with desire
to dominate the convention. The points of
| order were too numerous for Presiding
| Officer Green to even hope to decide half OF
them. Too many wanted to speak at once,
and some charged Green with unfairness,
which he resented in a dignifed manner
and threatened to leave the chair, which
the convention opposed. Green is an in
telligent man and, as far as could be seen,
endeavored to do justice to all. Fred
| Douglass had not entered the hall, but
paced the floor nervously just outside the
door, awaiting the tardy summons to the
| Presidents chair, and probably feeling that
his race was none too just towards him.
After nearly four hours of hot wrangling
| Fred Douglass was brought into the hall
amid the widest enthusiasm of his friends
and went upon the stand. The old man
was trembling with excitement, and if he
had talked his words would have been hot
ones. His presence resulted, at the end of
four hours, in his election to the permanent
Presidency.
The lateness of the hour prevented his
delivering a lengthy prepared speech, but
he took occasion to deny the report that he
had said If Ben Butler were nominated for
the Presidency he would sweep the colored
vote of the Union. A mere slip of the re-
porter's pencil had nearly caused him to
lose the support Of his dearest friends. Adj
journed.