The State Convention of Colored Men.

The State Convention of Colored Men.

Report on the 1876 Iowa State Colored Convention held in Oskaloosa published in the Muscatine Weekly Journal (January 14, 1876)

Library of Congress. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.

Muscatine Weekly Journal

1876-01-14

Newspaper article

[PAGE 1]
THE STATE OF CONVENTION OF COL- COLORED MEN. We find the proceedings of the Convention of the colored men of the Iowa at Oskaloosa, [unclear]Oaklooms[/unclear] on the 4th inst.. in the Leader of that place. There was a fair attendance from various parts of the State. We quote from the Leader: der: The temporary organization was made permanent and Hon. A. Clark, President elect, being called for pro- proceeded to address the convention in an able and interesting manner, reviewing the history of the country of the country from 1774 to the present time. His ad- address will be published in the Reform Leader next week. Hon. A. Clark was selected as the delegate to attend the Centennial as the representative of the colored people of Iowa, and the following named persons were selected as his auxiliaries in in collecting statistics from their several congressional districts:

[PAGE 2]
1st District - S. Fox and Prof. Wm. T. Peyton, of Keokuk, Lee county, and Stephen Coe, of Washington, Washington county. 2nd District - R. D. Smith of Clin- Clinton, Clinton Co.; Geo. Anderson, of Muscatine, Muscatine Co., and J. H. Warwick, of Davenport, Scott county. 3rd District - Wm. Doner, of Dubuque, Dubuque county, and John [unclear][/unclear] [/unclear] of Fayette, Fayette county. [unclear][/unclear] 4th District - Chas. Watson, of Belmond, Wright Co. 5th District - John L. Waller and Rev. H. Simon, of Cedar Rapids, Lynn Co.; John L. Johnson, of Lis- Liscomb, Marshall Co. 6th District - T. W. Watson and Jason Green, of Newton, Jasper Co. 7th District—Robt. - Robt. Raikes and J. W. Marshall, of Des Moines, Polk Co. 8th District - Not yet filled. 9th District - Chas. Epperson, of -

[PAGE 3]
After the transaction of other business the following resolutions of- offered by Alex Clark were adopted unanimously: : [/unclear] 1st. Resolved, That we the colored men of Iowa, in Convention as- assembled, tender our sincere thanks and our heartfelt gratitude to President dent Grant, and the noble and brave hearted - Phil Sheridan, for the wise, noble and manly course pursued in putting down armed rebellion in Louisiana, which saved the lives of so many of our people. 2d. We believe that the modest patriotism, the earnest purpose, sound judgment, practical wisdom, incorrigible ble integrity and illustrious services of President Grant have endeared him to the hearts of the American people, and that his re-election would be a great national blessing. 3d. We will ever hold sacred in our memory the name of Ulysses S. Grant, his devotion to freedom and in his in- inflexible integrity in meting out equal and exact justice to all men irrespective tive of race, color or condition. 4th. Resolved, That in the death of Charles Sumner, Gerrett Smith and the Henry Wilson, a, the world has lost three great philanthrodists and benefactors, the nation of three of her wisest and most learned statesmen, the colored ' man three of his inflexible and active friends.

[PAGE 4]
5th. We hold in undying honor the soldiers and sailors whose valor saved the Union; their pensions are sacred debt of the nation and the widows and orphans of those who died for their country, are entitled to the care of a generous and grateful people, and we favor the amending of our bounty laws, making the bounties of widows for life, regardless of marriage. The Convention then adjourned till evening. At the evening session various matters were talked up and the following resolution was adopted: Resolved That we recommend to our people through the State the pro- propriety of attending the primary, township ship and county conventions held from time to time in their respective localities. Adjourned sine die. The Leader (a a Democratic paper, by-the-way,) pays this compliment to our fellow townsman, who presided over the convention; " "Hon. Alex. Clark, of Muscatine, and other very intelligent delegates to the colored State Convention called on us yesterday, and we were much gratified in finding them full of bright and progressive ideas. Mr. Clark, especially, pecially is far in advance of many political leaders of our own race and our own party."

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.

1876.IA-01.04.OSKA