Hold the Convention in the South. From the Arkansas Mansion.

Hold the Convention in the South. From the Arkansas Mansion.

A report on the 1883 National Civil Rights Meeting held in Washington D.C. published in The New York Globe (April 21, 1883)

From Gale. 19th Century U.S. Newspapers. ©2008 Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, Inc. Reproduced by permission.

The New York Globe

1883-04-21

Newspaper article

Hold the Convention in the South. From the Arkansas Mansion. We find from our exchanges that the colored press is discussing the propriety of calling a National Convention to codify and shape out a course for 1884. We shouldn't wonder but it would be a good thing, but should such a course be pursued, we don't think that the colored people in the District of Columbia, should be left to dictate the matter, as they have no suffrage to be sought by either political party. We think the rural South should take the lead in such a step, and if thought advisable, call the meeting at some central point nearest to the delegates, who have an interest involved. Let us keep kicking. Kicking has brought recognition in the North, and on account of our elective franchise, it will bring it in the South. The Democrats in the South, where the colored people are in the majorities, say we must coalesce with them, give them a part of the spoils and take part. If they will be just as generous with us as they wish us to be with them, doubtless it would be best to take their advice. If we let the Bourbons alone they will dig their own graves and then hang themselves as they did in the Rebellion. Had the white Republicans had their way, we would never have been freed. The course of the Bourbons is what freed us. Let the meeting be at Cincinnati, Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock or St Louis. In that event the Mansion votes yea.

Washington

DC

USA

This transcription is the combination of work from more than 4,500 people who volunteered during the 2022 celebration of Douglass Day, held in partnership with Zooniverse.

1883.DC-10.22.WASH