Call For a Colored Convention

Call For a Colored Convention

A report on the 1873 Georgia State Convention of Colored People held in Macon published in the Atlanta Daily Sun (February 15, 1873)

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

Atlanta Daily Sun

1873-02-15

Newspaper article

[PAGE 1]
Call for a Colored Convention. Mr. Editor: A circular has been handed us by a friend, which we understand is being extensively circulated among the colored people of this State, calling for a Convention of colored men, to be held in the city of Macon on the 26th day of this month. The ostensible object of said Convention, as expressed in said call, is to devise means for the enforcement of the law and the protection of life, liberty and property, and to adopt such measures as will lead to the passage of an election law to protect the citizens of this State in their rights at the polls, as well as to carry out their will when constitutionally expressed. As colored men, we feel a deep interest in the protection of every citizen of the State "without regard to race, color or previous condition," in all his legal and constitutional rights, and we feel a special interest in the welfare, promotion and elevation of our race. If we could see any good that would be likely to accrue to the colored people of the State from such a Convention, we should be found among its warmest and most ardent advocates. But, Mr. Editor, we see no probability of any good resulting from such a Convention, but, in our judgment, it is calculated to do a vast amount of harm. Under the Constitution and laws of this State, every citizen is fully protected in his right to exercise the elective franchise. That the law is abused in this particular, and gross frauds perpetrated by bad men, all will admit; but this is no fault of the law, and we apprehend that it is beyond the power of human ingenuity to frame a law on this subject, in this or any other State, that will not be evaded and abused. Until the moral nature of the human race is radically changed, such a thing is impossible.

[PAGE 2]
We conclude, therefore, that if such a Convention should adopt measures which would lead to a change in the election laws, that no substantial good would re- result from the change. On the other hand, much evil may resu't from a Convention at this time. The white people and colored people of this country have the same government to live under with a common interest and a com- common destiny, and it is the duty of all good citizens, whether white or colored, to cultivate a fraternal feeling between the two races and to make each race feel that they have an interest in the protection of the life, liberty and pros- prosperity of the other. On the one hand, the white race needs our labor, and on the other we need employment from them. Such a Convention at this time, as the one for which the call is made, as above stated, not only tends to excite and inflame the passion of the races and engender strife between them, which can result in nothing but evil; but such is too often the object of those who make the call for such a Convention. These con- conventions are too often gotten up to gratify fy the malignant feelings of disappointed office seekers, and result in great injury to those who they profess to benefit. We, therefore, advise all our people to remain at home and save the time and money which they would uselessly and foolishly spend at such Con- Convention, and use it for the support of their families and the education of their children. Let us cultivate kind feelings between the two races. Let both the white and colored people of our noble old Commonwealth wea'th go actively to work to build up our waste places, de- develop our material resources, organize and support our public schools, and ele- elevate the moral, mental and social condition tion of our people. We are very respectfully, your fellow- fellow-citizens, James B. Deveaux, Senator 21st Dist. J.H. H. Anderson, Senator 23d Dist. Rev. Thos. Crayton, Rev. Paul Barnett

Macon

GA

USA

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1873.GA-01.01.MACO