The Colored Convention at Macon

The Colored Convention at Macon

A report on the 1888 Georgia State Union Brotherhood Convention held in Macon published in the Congregationalist (February 9, 1888)

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

The Congregationalist

1888-02-09

Newspaper article

[PAGE 1]
THE COLORED CONVENTION AT MACON. BY REV. S. ROSE, MACON, GA. The convention of colored citizens of Georgia, in Macon, Jan. 25, 26, is deserving of the careful attention of all thoughtful men. Finding its inception in the minds of a few men who have devoted their lives to the elevation of their race, the project grew into such large proportions that it is not only of the State but of national importance. Attended by three or four hundred delegates from all over the Empire State of the South, including some of the wisest and brightest men of the race, such as Bishop T Turner, Rev. W. J. White, Rev. C.T. T. Walker of Augusta, and W. A. Pledger of Atlanta, the action of such a representative assembly may well be studied as one of the signs of the times. The under undercurrent of seriousness, and the evident desire to do the wisest things that could be devised, spoke volumes for the good sense of the convention, and argued well for future results. The general disposition shown to steer clear of politics, and grapple with such questions as needed to be wisely solved, is especially to be commended. One of the most hopeful signs to be observed was the ability and wisdom of the leaders, who gave utterance to such sentiments as these: "The best things for the colored people are industry, temperance, virtue, economy, union and courage. If you would be great, get land, get money, get education, be sober, be upright, and protect the virtue of your women. While voting is all right, voting cannot do for you what industry will. The Constitution will never make a home for you. Congress cannot do it. The negro cannot be collectively great, until he is individually great. We must make our women great, for the nation is born at home."

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A paper by Rev. C. T. Walker of Augusta, upon National Aid to Education, indorsed the Blair bill, declaring that seventy-five per cent. of the illiterate population of the United States live in the late slave States. Of the 198,000 colored children in the State, only 98,000 are in school. "We are not asking Congress for 'forty acres and a mule,' but for an appropriation that will largely dispel ignorance. We are not making an unreasonable request. For the negro emancipated more than twenty years ago is now a full-grown man." Relative to this aid Bishop Turner declared: "The nation owes it to the negro for two hundred years of work." A paper upon the Penitentiary System, by Hon. A. Wilson, a colored member of the present Legislature, detailed the result of an examination at Atlanta, which revealed a condition of affairs demanding immediate redress. While strongly deprecating maudlin sentiment which makes martyrs out of justly condemned criminals, he demanded that prisoners should receive sufficient food, clothes and shelter to protect them from disease and death. The importance of the ballot was forcibly discussed by W. A. Pledger of Atlanta. Among other significant things, he said that there are six Congressional districts of Georgia in which there are negro majorities, but yet the negro has no representative in Congress. The negro must respectfully

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demand to be given what, and only what, he is entitled to. He must agitate for suffrage. He must pay his own tax, and not remain at home on election day. The colored man must acquire property, since influence and property are synonymous terms. The County Chain-gang System was declared to be unjustifiable, and in most cases inhumanly administered, besides being antagonistic to free labor. The present Jury System was warmly discussed, attention being called to the fact that there are one hundred and thirty-three counties in the State where there are no colored men on the jury. The Glenn bill was denounced, and the course of the teachers of Atlanta University was heartily indorsed. Resolutions were adopted to petition the Legislature for the redress of the race grievances in connection with Railroad and Military Discrimination, the Ballot, the Penitentiary, and the Jury System. This convention was characterized by a serious and determined endeavor to grapple with the problems that are confronting the race at this time. The assembly was wisely guided, and the fullest and freest discussion prevailed. It is a matter of congratulation that the race have wise leaders, and it is a matter of congratulation that the growing liberal spirit of the South allows the free discussion of questions in which the welfare of both races is so deeply involved. The proceedings of the convention were fully reported, and in an editorial the leading daily of the city says: “It is well that the aims of the most intelligent of the negroes as to the best methods of advancing their race in the scale of citizenship, and of ameliorating its condition, should be formulated.” God grant that this spirit of better understanding and mutual helpfulness may increase, until both white and black, as free and independent citizens, may co-operate with each other, and make this warm and sunny South land blossom with the joyous brightness of a peaceful and happy prosperity!

Macon

GA

USA

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1888.GA-01.25.MACO