Convention of Colored Mechanics

Convention of Colored Mechanics

A report on the 1869 Maryland State Convention of Colored Mechanics held in Baltimore published in The Christian Recorder (August 14, 1869)

Reproduced by permission. www.accessible-archives.com/

The Christian Recorder

1869-08-14

Newspaper article

[PAGE 1]
Miscellaneous CONVENTION OF COLORED MECHANICS. An adjourned meeting was held last evening in is the basement hall of the Douglass Institute of the delegates to the Convention of Colored Mechanics which assembled at the same place on the previous Monday. The object of the Convention has been pre- previously stated, which was called for the purpose of organizing the colored mechanics ics and tradesmen of the city and State into societies or trades-unions, such as are adopted by white mechanics throughout the country. The hall was well filled, and the various branches of mechanism represented. Mr. Isaac Myers, President, called the Convention to order, when, by request, Mr. Alfred McLane opened the proceedings with prayer. The Secretary, Mr. J. C. Fortis, then read the proceedings of the previous meet- meeting, which were approved by the Convention. tion. Mr. George Myers, Chairman of the Ex- Executive Committee, then presented the fol- following preamble and resolution: -- Whereas, Divine Providence has ordained that man shall obtain his living by the sweat of his brow. And whereas, An honorable living can only be obtained by honest, industrious and pa- patient toil. And whereas, An organized and unjust effort has been, and is now being put forth by our white fellow-citizen mechanics of the several States to prevent men of African descent from obtaining a living at any one of the trades. And whereas, Said effort is unwise, unjust, unchristianlike like and unrepublican, and its tendency is to degrade and render burdensome some a large portion of our race; and who if allowed to work at any employment for which they are capacitated, would elevate the race of their identity, the better to pre- prepare them to support their families, edu- educate their children, and the more intelligently gently discharge the responsible duties of American citizenship. Therefore be it Resolved, That we believe it to be expedient ent and right for the colored men of Mary- Maryland and of the several States to organize Trades or Labor Unions, with a view to ac- accomplishing the following results: First, to ascertain the number of colored mechanics and their particular branch; second, common to place that labor in the market as will be to the best interest of the laborer and capitalist. ist.

[PAGE 2]
And further be it resolved, That where colored labor cannot find a market because of the existence of organized superior force, that cooperative or joint stock associations be organized, that colored labor may find employment and be made productive. And further be it resolved, That no person shall be proscribed from membership on account of his race, color or nationality. And further be it resolved, That we recommend the use and study of Wayland's Political Economy in all the colored mechanical and labor associations in this State, believing that when the relationship between capital and labor is more generally understood, a letter feeling will exist between the employer and the employed, and the vexed question of wages be adjusted without the resort to strikes. And further be it resolved, That we shall encourage in all our associations the wisdom of each member being a regular depositor in some Savings Bank, a member of some Building Association, and hold a policy of Accidental or Life Insurance. The resolutions having been read a second time, Mr. Lemuel Griffin made a few remarks recommending that the Convention should act with caution in whatever they undertook; and while he did not oppose the report of the committee, it was his belief that the preamble should be amended somewhat, especially that portion which spoke of efforts put forth by the white mechanics to prevent colored men from obtaining a living. Mr. George Myers replied to Mr. Griffin, and said that it was well known that the white mechanics had organized with the above object, and as the colored men would soon be citizens, they should assert their rights.

[PAGE 3]
Mr. Isaac Myers, President, also advocated the adoption of the resolutions. The meeting, he said, which had been held in that hall the previous Monday evening had been echoed by the press throughout the length and breadth of the country. White men know that when the Fifteenth Amendment is adopted the colored men will be allowed to enter the workshops of the country. They had assembled for the purpose of laying down a great principle. By combining and organizing the colored men would be enabled to present a respectable front, and it was only in this way that their full strength could be ascertained. The resolutions, after some further debate, were then adopted by the Convention. The committee also submitted the following resolutions, looking to the organization of trades unions and labor societies, and calling a State Convention, which were adopted: Resolved, That the members of each particular trade and labor association convene at some convenient place on Friday evening, August 6th, 1869, for the purpose of organization and the election of officers. And be it further resolved, That said organizations furnish the Executive Committee with the list of its members and the place of their residence. Resolved, That a State Labor Convention be held in the city of Baltimore on the 12th day of September in each and every year,

[PAGE 4]
to be composed of five delegates from each trades union or labor organisation throughout the State. And be it further resolved, That the President of each organisation shall constitute an Executive Committee, together with the President and officers of the State Convention, who shall be members ex officio of the Executive Committee. And be it further resolved, That said Executive Committee shall have power to make such general laws and regulations as will best accomplish the object of the organisation. Also authorising a call for a National Convention, for which Mr. Isaac Myers Whereas, In the course of events it has pleased Divine Providence, through the agency of war, to change the relationship that did exist in the Southern States between capital and labor; and whereas, by said change a general disarrangement of labor of all its kinds does exist; therefore, Be it resolved, That this State Convention do call a National Labor Convention of the colored men of the several States, to meet in the city of Washington on the first Monday in December, in the year of our Lord 1869. Resolved, That the Executive Committee prepare a call for said Convention, to be disposed of as soon as the committee may decide. And be it further resolved, That no proscription be made in the admission of delegates to said Convention on account of race or color. A motion was made by Mr. Hare to substitute Richmond, Va., in place of Washington as the place for holding the National Convention, but on being put to vote was negatived by a vote of yeas 12, nays about 20. On motion it was resolved that five delegates be appointed to the National Labor Convention (white) that meets in the city of Philadelphia, August 16, 1869. Delegates - Issac Myers, James Hare, Ignatius Gross, Squire Fisher and Robert H. Butler. On motion of J. C. Fortie it was resolved that Frederick Douglass, [unclear][/unclear], be invited to address the citizens of Baltimore on the subject of labor. After some further business the Convention adjourned to meet on the 6th of August.

Baltimore

MD

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.

1869.MD-08.13.BALT