1855 National Convention Call

1855 National Convention Call

A newspaper clipping of the call to hold the 1855 National Colored Convention.

19th Century Newspapers

1855-09

Newspaper article

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A CALL FOR A NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED AMERICANS. Fellow Citizens: The present aspect of the times, and the condition of our brethren in bonds, and our own peculiar position as Freemen, men, require of us some well-directed effort to counteract the debasing influence that holds us in our present anomalous condition in this our native country ; and in obedience to the demands of stern necessity for united action, the undersigned, agreeable to appointment and by direction of the National Council at its last meeting, held in the city of New York, May 10th, 1855, do call a Convention of the People, through their delegated representatives, to assemble in the city of PHILADELPHIA, Pa., on the 16th DAY of OCTOBER, 1855, under the form and title of a National Convention of the Free People of Color of the United States. After close observation, and mature deliberation, we have arrived at the conclusion, that the Free People of Color, if they would disencumber themselves from whatever tends to impede their march, and remove whatever obstacles are in the way of their progress-if if they would fully subserve the cause of Liberty, which is the cause of God, they must take upon them the responsibility of doing and acting for themselves-of of laying out and directing the work of their own elevation. That so far from being mere aids and lookers-on, the time has fully come when they must be the guides, leaders and active operators in this great Reform. Who, it may be asked, can lay a stronger claim to a cause, and who, having the power and ability, can better promote it, than the most deeply interested ; and upon whom has the elevation of the People of Color in these United States a stronger claim, and who can better direct and promote the work, than the People of Color themselves? In our elevation lies the freedom of our enslaved brethren ; in that elevation is centered the germ of our own high destiny, and the best well-being of the whole people. Years of well intended effort have been expended for the especial freedom of the slave, while the elevation of the free colored man as an inseparable priority to the same, has been

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entirely overlooked. But to every true friend of freedom it must now be too obvious, that the whole process of Operation against the huge and diabolical system of oppression and wrong, has been shorn of more than half its strength and efficacy, because of this neglect of the interests of the Free People of Color--interests interests so vital that we dare not longer permit them to remain in a state of neglect. If nothing else, then, these years of experience have taught every true friend of Liberty, that the elevation of the free man is inseparable from, and lies at the very threshold of the great work of the slave's restoration to freedom, and equally essential to the highest well-being of our own common country. It is equally obvious that since the work of elevation of the Free People of color is (so to speak) the lever by which the must rise, whole that work must now receive a vigorous and hearty support from all of those upon whom it has a claim. The work thus foreshadowed for the consideration of the Convention, is various, and much of it difficult ; yet, the power of its accomplishment lies in the systematization and direction of it -- and while we would make no direct specifications -- while we would be proscriptive in nothing, still we would recommend such a course as shall prepare us, and those to come after us, to take a manly part in all things in which we have an interest, in common with the rest of our fellow citizens. We would have the Convention ascertain the precise point now reached in our present progress. We would call its attention to the state and character of Education and educational privileges among us, with a view to their improvement, or, if need be, change and adaptation to our demands. We would direct it to an examination of our business relations and habits, and devise such ways and means as will render them more available. We would have it give, if possible, to whatever of mechanical or artistic skill there is among us, impetus and extension.

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To the department of Agriculture, also, we would have it direct its attention and encouragement; so that, in all, there will be begot in us, and in our youth especially, a strong and increasing desire for these pursuits. There are also Political and Social Rights that lie at the very foundation of our manhood, to be obtained and errors among ourselves to be corrected, and confidences to be strengthened or restored. Much of the work commenced in the National Convention at Rochester in '53, demands now a vigorous prosecation; other portions of it remodeled or shaped to meet our newer experiences; and the whole to receive a stimulus that will forward it towards its completion. The progress of events, , too, may have given rise to exigencies that require additional agencies hitherto unforeseen, but now demanding attention and direction. In all this, then, fellow-citizens, there is enough to concentrate our united wisdom, enlist our most hearty co-opera. With these views, fellow-citizens, we again earnestly entreat you to come together in the true spirit of men having a clear conception of our needs, a just sense of our rights, and an abiding determination to do our duty. The election for members to the Convention will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of September, 1855. The people in the various neighborhoods, Church organizations, Benevolent or Literary societies, are respectfully urged to meet on that day, and elect delegates to the Convention to meet at Philadelphia on the 16th day of October ensuing, at - o'clock. William J. Wilson, Stephen Smith, } Committee. John W. Lewis, } Committee.

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1855.PA-10.16.PHIL