Good Sense of the Georgia Freedmen

Good Sense of the Georgia Freedmen

A report on the 1866 Georgia State Freedmen's Convention held in Augusta published in the New Hampshire Statesman (February 9, 1866)

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

New Hampshire Statesman

1866-02-09

Newspaper Article

GOOD SENSE OF THE GEORGIA FREEDMEN. A State convention of the freedmen of Georgia has just closed at Augusta. There were over a hundred delegates present from all parts of the State, and they represented the most shrewd and best informed of the colored men. James Porter, of Savannah, was president. The resolutions adopted are decidedly against universal suffrage, but favor the voting of such colored men " "as can read and write well," in addition to the other qualifications; condemn Thad Stevens' proposal to confiscate the property of the South; advise the cultivation of industry and sobriety, the making and keeping of contracts, the punishment of those who break them, and general submission to law and order. The Cincinnati Gazette, whose correspondent furnishes the account of the convention, is suspicious that Gen. Tillson inspired these resolutions; but the convention passed a resolution that the negroes settled on the coast lands ought not to be ousted except by act of Congress, against Gen. Tillson's advice and efforts, and the members of the convention generally showed such good sense and independence as to lead to the belief that they expressed their honest opinions. If not, if the hundred most intelligent freedmen of Georgia allowed themselves to be controlled in free convention by one white man, and to be so manipulated as to pass resolutions contrary to their own opinions and interests, how much would the suffrage be worth to such men, and especially to the more ignorant masses on the plantations whom they represent? ? We believe they did express their own opinions. They well know how utterly unfit for the suffrage the large majority of their race are, and they have sense enough to see that it can do them no good until they know how to use it. They mean to prepare for it in the quickest possible time. One of the most important acts of the convention was to elect a board of education and a superintendent to take charge of the education of the colored people throughout the State. We hope our " "earnest men" will not stigmatise the Georgia freedmen as copperheads or traitors for advancing such sensible opinions and taking such wise action. Or, if they call them fools, what becomes of the argument for giving them the suffrage immediately? -- Springfield Republican.

Augusta

GA

USA

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1866.GA-10.29.MACO