National Convention of Colored Americans
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Title
National Convention of Colored Americans
Description
Details the account of the Passmore case, as well as a letter received by the convention speaking out for colonization, and the delegates negative response.
Source
Liberator. 7 December 1855
Date
1855
Scripto
Transcription
[PAGE 1]
NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED AMERICANS. This body assembled at Philadelphia on the 16th of October, 1855. Rev. Amos G. Beman, of Connecticut, presided over its three days' deliberations in a very able and satisfactory manner. Though no one definite purpose or necessity had been made apparent for this Convention, yet a large number of intelligent delegates greeted each other, in the hope that a profitable interchange of opinions on the ways and means of elevation might prove an equivalent for the time and expense thus appropriated. It is generally admitted, however, that in numbers and interest it was far transcended by the Convention of 1853. Several States represented then, at this time sent no delegates, - --among them, Ohio and Illinois. This deficiency was very sensibly felt during various stages of the proceedings. A very spirited discussion arose on the motion of Charles Lenox Remond to admit Miss Mary A. Shadd to membership. The motion was opposed by Philip A. Bell, Lewis H. Putnam, and Isaiah C. Weare, and supported by Frederick Douglass, Wm. J. Watkins, and others, when her right was triumphantly sustained. The plan of Colonization was recommended by a colored resident of Baltimore, which fact was sufficient of itself to wake up the eloquent indignation of Charles Lenox Remond, who, though believing the writer to have been the catspaw of some white Colonizationist, felt that he deserved all the more a most scathing rebuke. George T. Downing, in a most emphatic speech, moved that the document be committed to the flames. This warm reception was responded to by a large affirmative vote, but, influenced by speakers at a subsequent session, the vote was reconsidered, and the letter thrown under the table.
[PAGE 2]
Dr. James M'Cune Smith read an address, very acceptable in the main, but containing an endorsement of the anti-slavery character of the United States Constitution. This subject was discussed by Junius C. Morel, Charles L. Remond, and Robert Purvis, in the negative, and by the mover and Frederick Douglass in the affirmative. On the question being taken, the views of the latter were sustained, many voting according to their hopes, rather than otherwise. The Convention did not favor the proposed Colored College. The proceedings relative to Passmore Williamson and the colored men who so gallantly rescued Jane Johnson and her children from John H. Wheeler, the slaveholder, were of a very interesting and impressive character, including the report of a Committee who visited Mr. Williamson in Moyamensing Prison. During the debate, reference was made to 'Leadership' among the colored people, and it was asserted that 'the clergy now monopolized that department.' This is in no doubt true, to a certain extent, augmenting the responsibility of colored clergymen, and rendering the necessity all the more imperative that they should be more highly cultivated and more deeply imbued with the spirit of reform than they have hitherto been. But it is a fact, also, that the class of independents are fast increasing among the colored people, - men and women who willingly listen to opinions from the pulpit, forum and press, but only accept what is commended to their better judgment. This development promises most beneficial results to the cause of freedom. Edward V. Clark, of New York City, submitted a very suggestive report, embracing statistics of the various trades and professions in which colored Americans were engaged, and recommending the establishment of conversational soirees among families, that wives and mothers might enjoy every opportunity to infuse correct ideas into the minds of the young, and thus promote their mental and social elevation. Should this idea be generally adopted, it must result in permanent benefit, and supersede all necessity for a National Council, which has proved itself (to say the least) too cumbersome and complicated to promote the desired good. Boston, Nov., 1855. W.C.N. C. N.
NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED AMERICANS. This body assembled at Philadelphia on the 16th of October, 1855. Rev. Amos G. Beman, of Connecticut, presided over its three days' deliberations in a very able and satisfactory manner. Though no one definite purpose or necessity had been made apparent for this Convention, yet a large number of intelligent delegates greeted each other, in the hope that a profitable interchange of opinions on the ways and means of elevation might prove an equivalent for the time and expense thus appropriated. It is generally admitted, however, that in numbers and interest it was far transcended by the Convention of 1853. Several States represented then, at this time sent no delegates, - --among them, Ohio and Illinois. This deficiency was very sensibly felt during various stages of the proceedings. A very spirited discussion arose on the motion of Charles Lenox Remond to admit Miss Mary A. Shadd to membership. The motion was opposed by Philip A. Bell, Lewis H. Putnam, and Isaiah C. Weare, and supported by Frederick Douglass, Wm. J. Watkins, and others, when her right was triumphantly sustained. The plan of Colonization was recommended by a colored resident of Baltimore, which fact was sufficient of itself to wake up the eloquent indignation of Charles Lenox Remond, who, though believing the writer to have been the catspaw of some white Colonizationist, felt that he deserved all the more a most scathing rebuke. George T. Downing, in a most emphatic speech, moved that the document be committed to the flames. This warm reception was responded to by a large affirmative vote, but, influenced by speakers at a subsequent session, the vote was reconsidered, and the letter thrown under the table.
[PAGE 2]
Dr. James M'Cune Smith read an address, very acceptable in the main, but containing an endorsement of the anti-slavery character of the United States Constitution. This subject was discussed by Junius C. Morel, Charles L. Remond, and Robert Purvis, in the negative, and by the mover and Frederick Douglass in the affirmative. On the question being taken, the views of the latter were sustained, many voting according to their hopes, rather than otherwise. The Convention did not favor the proposed Colored College. The proceedings relative to Passmore Williamson and the colored men who so gallantly rescued Jane Johnson and her children from John H. Wheeler, the slaveholder, were of a very interesting and impressive character, including the report of a Committee who visited Mr. Williamson in Moyamensing Prison. During the debate, reference was made to 'Leadership' among the colored people, and it was asserted that 'the clergy now monopolized that department.' This is in no doubt true, to a certain extent, augmenting the responsibility of colored clergymen, and rendering the necessity all the more imperative that they should be more highly cultivated and more deeply imbued with the spirit of reform than they have hitherto been. But it is a fact, also, that the class of independents are fast increasing among the colored people, - men and women who willingly listen to opinions from the pulpit, forum and press, but only accept what is commended to their better judgment. This development promises most beneficial results to the cause of freedom. Edward V. Clark, of New York City, submitted a very suggestive report, embracing statistics of the various trades and professions in which colored Americans were engaged, and recommending the establishment of conversational soirees among families, that wives and mothers might enjoy every opportunity to infuse correct ideas into the minds of the young, and thus promote their mental and social elevation. Should this idea be generally adopted, it must result in permanent benefit, and supersede all necessity for a National Council, which has proved itself (to say the least) too cumbersome and complicated to promote the desired good. Boston, Nov., 1855. W.C.N. C. N.
Convention Minutes Item Type Metadata
Contributor
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.
Event ID
1855.PA-10.16.PHIL
Citation
“National Convention of Colored Americans,” Colored Conventions Project Digital Records, accessed October 22, 2026, https://omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/448.