The Tennessee Convention. Colored Men in Council at Nashville-Vital Questions Ably Discussed Resolutions Setting forth the Grievances and Needs of the Race.

The Tennessee Convention. Colored Men in Council at Nashville-Vital Questions Ably Discussed Resolutions Setting forth the Grievances and Needs of the Race.

A report on 1884 Tennessee State Convention of Colored Men held in Nashville, TN published in the New York Age (March 15, 1884)

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

New York Age

1884-03-15

Newspaper article

[PAGE 1]
THE TENNESSEE CONVENTION. Colored Men in Council at Nashville- Vital Questions Ably Discussed-Resolutions Resolutions Setting forth the Griev- Grievances and needs of the Race. Special Correspondence of The Globe. NASHVILLE, March 1.-A -A convention of colored men met at the Capitol on the 28th ult, in pursuance of a call issued on the 24th day of the last December, to consider and suggest measures for the advancement of the moral, educational, industrial and political interests of the race. The call set forth the following subjects for discussion: Education-National Aid; Moral Status-How Best to Protect our Homes; Our Industrial and Material Interests; Equal Privileges in the Jury Box of the State Courts; Our Civil and Political Rights in the State and Federal Government in Proportion to our Strength. The call also stated: "We would simply add that the country is just on the eve of what promises to be the most doubtful and exciting political contest that it has ever seen; a contest in which the Negro has more at stake than any other class of citizens; as a class it is itself a sufficient argument to move the colored men to take counsel together, that with united purpose and concert of action they may pursue and concert of action they may pursue such a course as will make practical and real to them all the privileges and blessings of American citizenship. We are for the good of the race."

[PAGE 2]
Most of the prominent colored men of the State were present, among whom were J. C. Napier, S. A. McAlwee, T. F. Cassels, W. A. Sinclair, W. I. Yardley, W. H. Young, S. W. Crosthwait, J. B. Bosiey, Edward Shaw, I. F. Norris, A. Meuefee, M. J. R. Gentle and T. A. Sykes. Mr J. C. Napier called the convention to order and read the call. Committees on Credentials and Permanent Organization were appointed. A caucus was held, in which Hon S. A. McAlwee of of-Brownsville, W. H. Young of Nashville, Hon T. F. Cassels of Memphis, were brought forward for permanent chairmen. Mr Cassels was chosen for chairman and Mr McAlwee Secretary. The newly elected chairman upon being introduced proceeded to address the convention. He asked permission to read from a manuscript in which he discussed the decision of the Supreme Court affecting the Civil Rights bill, which he said was heard with regret by the colored people of the country, and had given rise to many serious questions, among the most important of which was "What is the legal status of the colored people of the United States?" These rights were of course were defined in the Constitution. Then followed an exhaustive discussion of the status of the colored man before and after amendments to the Constitution. It was the opinion of the speaker that many laws of the State of Tennessee are in violation of the Constitution of the United States, and deprived the colored citizens of their rights. A Committee on Resolutions was appointed, of which W. F. Yardley was chairman and J. C. Napier, Secretary. Several resolutions were offered and referred, and the convention adjourned until the next morning.

[PAGE 3]
The convention re-assembled Friday morning at 10 o'clock. Hon S.A. A. McAlwee then delivered an address, which he had been appointed to deliver before the convention. The speaker eloquently set forth the grievances of the race. He said: " "May our actions indicate clearly and unmistakably that the injustice done the race in any part of the country meets with our unqualified disapproval. May the people of this great nation see and take cognizance of the fact that beyond this and similar conventions, there is a deep, and underlying current that furnishes the thoughts and feelings which here find expression. * * * Congress cannot make laws that do not apply to every man; so it is not legislation we need. The laws are good enough, if only they were only enforced. Give us no more laws, but enforce those we already have." He urged the necessity of education, and in closing avowed his allegiance to the Republican party. The address occupied about an hour's time and was greeted with applause throughout. A motion to adopt the address as the sentiments of the convention was opposed by Mr Edward Shaw, of Memphis. He endorsed the address, but doubted if it would be good policy to adopt it. The address asked justice from the people of Tennessee and then denounced them. He thought the address a good Republican stump speech, but did not think as such, it was in place here.

[PAGE 4]
The following resolution was adopted: : Resolved first, that it is wrong to discriminate on account of race or color in the selection of jurors, to try any of the citizens of Tennessee who may be brought before the courts for trial. Resolved second, that the colored citizens of Tennessee most emphatically condemn the continued persistent and unlawful manner in which they are tried, condemned, hanged and enslaved, by individuals who have been taught from the cradle to the jury box, that the Negro is naturally inferior to them, by men of reason and prejudiced views of them and their race. Resolved, that it is the sorest and most galling of all afflictions to continue perpetrating this wrong upon the legal citizens of this commonwealth. Resolved, that a committee from this convention, composed of the two from each of the three divisions of the State, be appointed to wait upon the judicial authorities and make a formal request, and demand our full and equal rights and privileges on this subject.

[PAGE 5]
Beginning at 1 P. M. a Wendell Phillips memorial meeting was held and the monotony of the proceedings of the convention was relieved by a very interesting program, which consisted of music by one of the choirs of the city, an address by Prof W. I. Lewis, of Columbia; reading of [unclear]Philip’s[/unclear] "Toussaint L'Overture," by Miss Sadie Patton; "Wendell Phillips," by Jno I. Watson; "Apostrophe to Wendell Phillips," by Miss L. [unclear]H.[/unclear] Newnan; "Education and National Aid," by Rev L. M. Haygood; “Sojourner Truth,” by Miss Frankie J. Seary. Rev Henry E. Brown, Secretary of the International Convention of the Y. M. C. A., was granted permission to address the convention on the establishment of a school where the applied sciences might be taught colored graduates of the higher schools. He said the colored people are wanting certain liberties; they want to ride in first-class cars and to do other things. This is right, but do [unclear][/unclear] something else. They should build the cars for themselves. A resolution was adopted censuring the action of Mayor Phillip, of Nashville, in vetoing the resolution by Mr. [unclear]Najiez[/unclear] asking the appointment of colored men [unclear]on[/unclear] the police. A resolution providing for the establishment of a newspaper to be known as the State Organ, was referred. Rev W. A. Sinclair announced that the representative of THE NEW YORK GLOBE was on the floor and would be glad to show sample copies and would solicit subscriptions. A hundred copies of THE

[PAGE 6]
GLOBE " “went like hot cakes.” Several resolutions were offered and referred and the convention adjourned until to 9 A. M. to-day. At 9 A. M. to-day the convention was re-assembled. The morning was taken up in offering resolutions. The following were adopted: Resolution thanking Justice Harlan for refusing to the concur in the recent decision of the Supreme Court against the Civil Rights bill. Resolution providing for a committee to petition to the next legislature to repeal " “the laws of 1875," making invidious distinctions in the public carriers, etc, throughout the State on account of color. Resolution declaring that the colored people will not support for office any man who would will not pledge himself to use his influence to secure the repeal of all laws making distinctions on account of color. The Committee on Resolutions reported in favor of a system of public schools supplemented by national aid and the employment of colored teachers; for the repeal of the discriminative laws of Tennessee and the moral elevation of the race; for the encouragement of the colored youth in acquiring trades; condemning discrimination in the courts, etc. The Committee on Plan of Organization reported in favor of the organization of clubs in each town, city, ward and district in the State, etc. Both reports were adopted after considerable debate. The following were appointed by the chair a State Executive Committee: West Tennessee—S. -- S.A. A. McAlwee, C. S. Day, J. F. Turner; Middle Tennessee—J. J. C. Napier, B. A. J. Nixon, W. J. Lewis; East tennessee-W. F. Yardley, J. C. Davis, II, C. Smith. The convention was then adjourned sine die. CHOCTAW.

Nashville

TN

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.

1884.TN-02.28.NASH