The Colored Convention. The Committee Authorized to Modify the Call--Proceedings of A Meeting Held Last Night--Greener Denonced as Traitor.
Files
Click image to view file:
Document Viewer
Dublin Core
Title
The Colored Convention. The Committee Authorized to Modify the Call--Proceedings of A Meeting Held Last Night--Greener Denonced as Traitor.
Source
Chronicling America
Publisher
Bee
Date
1883-05-26
Scripto
Transcription
[PAGE 01]
THE COLORED CONVENTION.
THE COMMITTEE AUTHORIZED TO MODIFY THE CALL--PROCEEDINGS -- PROCEEDINGS OF A MEETING HELD LAST NIGHT--GREENER -- GREENER DENOUNCED AS TRAITOR.
In response to a published call the Emancipation day convention re-assembled last Tuesday evening at the Virginia Avenue Baptist Church. Representatives were present from thirteen of the legislative districts. Mr. M. M. Holland, the chairman, in calling the meeting to order, recited what had been done by the committee appointed to call a national convention of colored men, to be held here next September. "Greatly to our surprise," he said, "We found that a number of gentlemen temorarily residing in the District objected on the ground that we had no right to issue such a call; that the gentlemen representing you were not representative of the race, and that Washington was not tue place, and the time set was an improper time--and -- and the committee feeling they could not do otherwise than they did, under the instructions in the resolutions, felt that in order to harmonize the different elements it was necessary to get further instructions from you, and for that purpose you have been re-convened."
[PAGE 02]
THE RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, In the exercise of a well organized right, this convention believing that a National convention of colored men was needed at this juncture: and knowing that in all such matters somebody must lead, took the responsibility of appointing a committee of twenty-five, and instructed the said committee to call a National convention of colored men to meet in Washington in the month of September next; ; and
Whereas, It now appears that there is a difference of opinion among some persons favorable to the convention, as to the proper time and place of holding it, and
Whereas, Though we still believe that the Capital of the Nation is the right place in which the convention should be held, and hope the matter will be so decided, nevertheless, in order to remove all ground of complaint and secure unanimity, we here authorize the committee of twenty-five so to modify the existing call for the said convention in respect of time and place for holding it, and enlarge the committee on call, as shall secure the need how specified;
[PAGE 03]
Resolved, That we leave it to the wisdom of that committee to point out the mode of action by which a decision as to time and place for holding the convention shall be reached.
Resolved, That nothing has been said or done here or elsewhere that ought to impair the confidence of the colored people of the United States, in the ability, integrity and patriotism of the committee of the twenty-five, and that the fact that the faction which has denounced the convention as needless and hurtful has, at the same time, arranged its machinery for holding such a convention, demonstrates its insincerity and its destitution of principle, and shows its action to spring from reckless ambition, envy and jealousy; a disposition to rule or ruin.
[PAGE 04]
Resolved, That this convention, resents with indignation, the abuse shamelessly and causelessly heaped upon Hon. Frederick Douglass, the chairman of the committee of twenty-five, who neither sought nor desired the prominence given him on that committee, but was piaced there in recognition of his fifty years' service to the cause of liberty and equality, a service which began while he was yet in bondage and is continued until now.
After remarks by Andrew St. Clair Smith, R. D. Ruffin. Rev. R. S. Laws, Mr. Wilkinson and others, the resolutions were passed and the meeeting adjourned.
A long discussion followed, some of those present being opposed to showing the "white feather," even in conceding the point of time and place.
Mr. Holland stated, in order, as he said, to correct a misapprehension, that the committee had unanimously resolved to remove Prof. Greener from the committee.
Most of the speakers were very severe on Greener.
[PAGE 05]
GREENER DENOUNCED.
A. St. A. Smith declared Greener a traitor to the committee, in pretending that the committee intended certain things that he knew very well they had no intention of doing. "When the truth is found out." he declared with some vehemence, "the opposition to this convention comes from those who are negro Democrats at heart. They intend, if any selling is to be done, that they will be the men to bar- barter them off." Referring to the South Carolina election of 1876, Mr. Smith asked, "who was the first man to come from South Carolina and shake Wade Hampton by the hand?"
"Greener," shouted one or two of those present.
"Yes, Greener," said Smith, "you all know him. He wants to run with the hounds and hide with the hare." Mr. Smith further accused Greener of having gone to Cabinet officers and asked the discharge from office of men in that convention.
R. S. Laws in his speech paid a high tribute to Mr. Fred. Douglass, whom he termed the "National Negro Hero of America."
[PAGE 06]
R. D. Ruffin, W. C. Chase, J. W. Freeman and others made speeches, and the resolutions were adopted. W. C. Chase offered a resolution "that the the committee of twenty-five shall also be empowered to fix the time and place for the election of the delegates to said nation convention," but it was declared out of order, and the convention adjourned.
THE COLORED CONVENTION.
THE COMMITTEE AUTHORIZED TO MODIFY THE CALL--PROCEEDINGS -- PROCEEDINGS OF A MEETING HELD LAST NIGHT--GREENER -- GREENER DENOUNCED AS TRAITOR.
In response to a published call the Emancipation day convention re-assembled last Tuesday evening at the Virginia Avenue Baptist Church. Representatives were present from thirteen of the legislative districts. Mr. M. M. Holland, the chairman, in calling the meeting to order, recited what had been done by the committee appointed to call a national convention of colored men, to be held here next September. "Greatly to our surprise," he said, "We found that a number of gentlemen temorarily residing in the District objected on the ground that we had no right to issue such a call; that the gentlemen representing you were not representative of the race, and that Washington was not tue place, and the time set was an improper time--and -- and the committee feeling they could not do otherwise than they did, under the instructions in the resolutions, felt that in order to harmonize the different elements it was necessary to get further instructions from you, and for that purpose you have been re-convened."
[PAGE 02]
THE RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, In the exercise of a well organized right, this convention believing that a National convention of colored men was needed at this juncture: and knowing that in all such matters somebody must lead, took the responsibility of appointing a committee of twenty-five, and instructed the said committee to call a National convention of colored men to meet in Washington in the month of September next; ; and
Whereas, It now appears that there is a difference of opinion among some persons favorable to the convention, as to the proper time and place of holding it, and
Whereas, Though we still believe that the Capital of the Nation is the right place in which the convention should be held, and hope the matter will be so decided, nevertheless, in order to remove all ground of complaint and secure unanimity, we here authorize the committee of twenty-five so to modify the existing call for the said convention in respect of time and place for holding it, and enlarge the committee on call, as shall secure the need how specified;
[PAGE 03]
Resolved, That we leave it to the wisdom of that committee to point out the mode of action by which a decision as to time and place for holding the convention shall be reached.
Resolved, That nothing has been said or done here or elsewhere that ought to impair the confidence of the colored people of the United States, in the ability, integrity and patriotism of the committee of the twenty-five, and that the fact that the faction which has denounced the convention as needless and hurtful has, at the same time, arranged its machinery for holding such a convention, demonstrates its insincerity and its destitution of principle, and shows its action to spring from reckless ambition, envy and jealousy; a disposition to rule or ruin.
[PAGE 04]
Resolved, That this convention, resents with indignation, the abuse shamelessly and causelessly heaped upon Hon. Frederick Douglass, the chairman of the committee of twenty-five, who neither sought nor desired the prominence given him on that committee, but was piaced there in recognition of his fifty years' service to the cause of liberty and equality, a service which began while he was yet in bondage and is continued until now.
After remarks by Andrew St. Clair Smith, R. D. Ruffin. Rev. R. S. Laws, Mr. Wilkinson and others, the resolutions were passed and the meeeting adjourned.
A long discussion followed, some of those present being opposed to showing the "white feather," even in conceding the point of time and place.
Mr. Holland stated, in order, as he said, to correct a misapprehension, that the committee had unanimously resolved to remove Prof. Greener from the committee.
Most of the speakers were very severe on Greener.
[PAGE 05]
GREENER DENOUNCED.
A. St. A. Smith declared Greener a traitor to the committee, in pretending that the committee intended certain things that he knew very well they had no intention of doing. "When the truth is found out." he declared with some vehemence, "the opposition to this convention comes from those who are negro Democrats at heart. They intend, if any selling is to be done, that they will be the men to bar- barter them off." Referring to the South Carolina election of 1876, Mr. Smith asked, "who was the first man to come from South Carolina and shake Wade Hampton by the hand?"
"Greener," shouted one or two of those present.
"Yes, Greener," said Smith, "you all know him. He wants to run with the hounds and hide with the hare." Mr. Smith further accused Greener of having gone to Cabinet officers and asked the discharge from office of men in that convention.
R. S. Laws in his speech paid a high tribute to Mr. Fred. Douglass, whom he termed the "National Negro Hero of America."
[PAGE 06]
R. D. Ruffin, W. C. Chase, J. W. Freeman and others made speeches, and the resolutions were adopted. W. C. Chase offered a resolution "that the the committee of twenty-five shall also be empowered to fix the time and place for the election of the delegates to said nation convention," but it was declared out of order, and the convention adjourned.
Convention Minutes Item Type Metadata
Convention Type
City Meeting
City
Washington
State
DC
Country
USA
Start Date
1883-05-22
End Date
1883-05-22
Provenance
Library of Congress
Event ID
1883.DC-05.22.WASH
Citation
“The Colored Convention. The Committee Authorized to Modify the Call--Proceedings of A Meeting Held Last Night--Greener Denonced as Traitor.,” Colored Conventions Project Digital Records, accessed October 22, 2026, https://omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/1878.