1855 National Convention Post News Coverage
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1855 National Convention Post News Coverage
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A newspaper clipping describing the events of the 1855 National Colored Convention
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[PAGE 1]
Frederick Douglass' Paper. "ALL RIGHTS FOR ALL!" ROCHESTER, Oct. 26, 1855. SECOND ELECTION OF STATE COUNCILS. TO THE COLORED PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES: BRETHREN: So much of the Constitution of the National Council [unclear][/unclear] relates to the State Councils, and so much of the doings of the National Council as relates to the admission of Canada into the union, being unrepealed by the recent National Convention of the Colored People, held in Philadelphia, Oct. 16th, 17th, and 18th, 1855, it becomes my duty to notify you that in accordance with the first article of the Constitution of the National Council, you are called upon to hold an election for State Councils, on Thursday, Nov. 15th, 1855, as follows: “Art. 1. On the fifteenth day of November next, (1853.), and biennially thereafter, (1855, 1857, &c.,) there shall be held in each State a Poll, at which each colored inhabitant may vote who shall pay ten cents as a poll tax; ; and each State shall elect, at such an election, delegates to State Councils, twenty in number from each State, at large. The election to be held in such places, and under such conditions as the public meetings in such localities may determine. The members of the National Council in each state, shall receive, canvass, and declare the result of such a vote.* The State Councils thus elected shall meet on the first Monday in January, 1854, and elect additional members to the National Council, in proportion to one in five thousand (amended to one in two thousand) of Colored Population of each State; ; and the members of National Council thus elected to take office on the 6th day of July next (1854) and all to hold office during the two years from the date ; at the end of which time another general election by State Council shall take place of members, (of the National Council,) to constitute their successors in office, in the same numbers above. The State Council of each State shall have full power over the internal concerns of each State.” ." It appears from the above, brethren, that the election of State Councils to be held on the 15th Nov. next, is most important. 1st. Because said State Councils will have the power to elect the next National Council entirely ; two for each State at large, and one more for each two thousand of colored population in each State ; and, 2ndly, that the several State Councils may take up and vigorously carry out the special measures of reform, whether the Franchise, School, or Industrial movements severally required in their respective States. The Convention at Philadelphia having adopted, by overwhelming majority, as a platform, that the Constitution of the United States is aggressively Abolition, giving power to Congress to Abolish Slavery in the Slave States, it will be your duty by voice, and where possible by vote to urge your Representatives to carry out this glorious and beign doctrine. Very respectfully, Your brother in bonds, JAMES McCUNE SMITH, Pres't Nat. Council. NEW YORK, Oct. . 22nd, 1855. *The mold of canvass has been amended by the Convention of Philadelphia; due notice will be given of the amendment.
[PAGE 2]
The National CONVENTION. We are unable to publish this week, the proceedings of the National Convention of Colored Americans, which adjourned sine die, on the 19th inst., after a session of three days. We (the junior editor) expected to be home in time for their publication, and, also to give our readers the Address to the American People, read by Dr. SMITH, and adopted by the Convention. -- But being compelled to remain in Elmira, during the afternoon of our journey, and during the night at Corning, on account of a train of cars being thrown off the track, we did not arrive home until eleven o'clock, A. M. on Wednesday. In our next week's issue, we purpose to give a pretty full report of the doings of the Convention, as we do not wish them mutilated, by attempting a hurried synopsis of them. The Convention was a large one, more than one hundred delegates, from various parts of the country, being in attendance. The various sessions were crowded with intelligent and interested spectators, colored and white. It did not, however, equal our expectations, nor were its sessions as harmonious as similar Conventions we have attended. There was too much disposition to quibble, and wrangle, and raise points of order. Much of the time was thus worse than wasted. Upon the whole, we do not think the Convention up to the average standard of those hitherto held by us. Had there been fewer young men elected as delegates from debating societies, and men of wisdom and experience chosen in their stead, men who have the interest of the Cause at heart, we think the sessions of the Convention would have been more profitable, and would have redounded more to the credit of those composing it.
[PAGE 3]
There was, however, many of our ablest men in attendance. There were Dr. McCone Smith, P. A. Bell, W. J. Wilson, Junics C. Morell, W. H. Topp, Stephen Myers, G. T. Downing, C. L. Remond, Robert Purvis, W. C. Nell, Rev. L. A. Grimes, Rev. Stephen Smith, Wm. Whipper, J. C. Weare, Prof. Reason, Jno. C. Bowers, Dr. J. S. Rock, Dr. T. White, Rev. J. C. Beman, Rev. A. G. Beman, our excellent President, Dr. J. G. Bias, Franklin Turner, E. V. Clark, Jas. W. Duffin, and a host of others. With such a number of able men in the Convention, it might have exceeded in ability any one previously held, but there was, apparently, a preponderance of lungs over brains, notwithstanding the many able men assembled. A great many would talk to no purpose, and to the exclusion of those who, if they could have been allowed to speak, would have spoken words to be remembered. The Address to the American People, prepared by Dr. Smith, is an able document. It sets forth the claims of the oppressed, in a lucid, and forcible manner, and is unanswerable in the position maintained in regard to the Anti-Slavery character of the Constitution. It expressly denies that any law in the land, or any compact, or Constitution has ever made those who are held in bondage, chattels; ; and, if such law exists, it is contrary to the Constitution. - No process of Law has ever been adduced by which any slave, so-called, has been deprived of liberty; and as the Constitution declares that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law," it follows that each and every one under the Constitution, is entitled to freedom. The Address also maintains the right of Congress to abolish Slavery in the Slave States. This can be effected by electing such a Congress, such a President, and appointing such a Judiciary, as will carry out the benign provisions of the Constitution. The reading of this Address, and the motion for its adoption, called out Messrs. Remond,
[PAGE 4]
Purvis, and Morell, in opposition to it, and Dr. Smith, and Frederick Douglass, in its defense . - After the discussion, which was a very able and interesting one, the Address was adopted by a very large majority. During the discussion, Mr. Morell declared that the Constitution is either pro-slavery or anti-slavery, as the public sentiment of the community declares it. According to his own reasoning, the thing is settled, and the Constitution is Anti-Slavery, the "public sentiment" of the Convention having so declared it! There were also many other subjects presented which gave rise to interesting discussions, among them, the proposition to admit Miss. M. A. Shadd, of Canada, a corresponding member. There was much opposition manifested to her admission, on the part of some of the members, among them a rough, uncouth, semi-barbarous fellow, named L. U. Nelson, who wished to know, "if we would admit Abby Kelly also?" He was soon silenced. F. Douglass, the writer, and others, endeavored to show the utter inconsistency of the rejection of Miss [unclear]Shudd[/unclear], by the convention. Mr. WEARE. and others opposed her admission. She was, finally, admitted, and addressed the convention during its session, at length, on the subject of Emigration to Canada. Her views which were ably expressed, did not, however, receive much sympathy from the majority.
[PAGE 5]
The Business Committee presented what was called a Pennsylvania report, in reference to the Industrial College, declaring such an Institution inadvisable, and impracticable. The Report discussed the measure at considerable length. - Dr. Smith presented a substitute, in the shape of three resolutions, providing for the constitution of Industrial Associations, each to have special charge of the mechanical improvement of the colored people of a section. These were advocated by the Doctor, Mr. Douglass, the writer, Dr. [unclear]Bias[/unclear], and others; ; and opposed by Mr. Weare, Mr. Bowers, and others. After much discussion, they were adopted. The "Report of the Committee on Mechanical [unclear]Branches[/unclear] Among AMONG THE COLORED of OF THE FREE States," was a very satisfactory paper, and highly creditable to Mr. E. V. Clark, who prepared it. The case of Passmore WILLIAMSON was brought prominently before the Convention by the offering of resolutions of sympathy, &c., [unclear]c[/unclear]., by Mr. Purvis. The resolutions, with others, adverting to the the colored heroes, who took part in the movement, were adopted by the Convention. There was much business transacted, which we have not time to notice, but must refer our readers to our next issue. The Convention has, doubtless, had a very salutary effect, and we hope it may result in some practical good, which may be of benefit to ourselves and posterity.
[PAGE 6]
On the evening succeeding the Convention, Frederick Douglass addressed a large concourse of citizens, in Sampson Hall, on the present aspects of the Slavery Question. The night was rainy, and otherwise disagreeable, but the commodious Hall was well filled by a highly intelligent and appreciative audience, though not a bill nor a placard had been posted. Concert Hall had been engaged for the Lecture, but the manager, for fear of the popular displeasure, broke the contract. He had previously opened this Hall, for a colored baby-show, calculated, in his estimation to disgrace the race, but he refused to admit a colored man, who he thought would do credit to the same oppressed people, into the same building. He was exposed on the evening of the Lecture, in a most withering manner. Mr. D., the writer, and Dr. Rock, of Boston, addressed is a very crowded audience in the St. Mary's St. Presbyterian Church, on Sabbath evening, when a collection of thirty dollars was taken up, in behalf of the Vigilance Committee.
Frederick Douglass' Paper. "ALL RIGHTS FOR ALL!" ROCHESTER, Oct. 26, 1855. SECOND ELECTION OF STATE COUNCILS. TO THE COLORED PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES: BRETHREN: So much of the Constitution of the National Council [unclear][/unclear] relates to the State Councils, and so much of the doings of the National Council as relates to the admission of Canada into the union, being unrepealed by the recent National Convention of the Colored People, held in Philadelphia, Oct. 16th, 17th, and 18th, 1855, it becomes my duty to notify you that in accordance with the first article of the Constitution of the National Council, you are called upon to hold an election for State Councils, on Thursday, Nov. 15th, 1855, as follows: “Art. 1. On the fifteenth day of November next, (1853.), and biennially thereafter, (1855, 1857, &c.,) there shall be held in each State a Poll, at which each colored inhabitant may vote who shall pay ten cents as a poll tax; ; and each State shall elect, at such an election, delegates to State Councils, twenty in number from each State, at large. The election to be held in such places, and under such conditions as the public meetings in such localities may determine. The members of the National Council in each state, shall receive, canvass, and declare the result of such a vote.* The State Councils thus elected shall meet on the first Monday in January, 1854, and elect additional members to the National Council, in proportion to one in five thousand (amended to one in two thousand) of Colored Population of each State; ; and the members of National Council thus elected to take office on the 6th day of July next (1854) and all to hold office during the two years from the date ; at the end of which time another general election by State Council shall take place of members, (of the National Council,) to constitute their successors in office, in the same numbers above. The State Council of each State shall have full power over the internal concerns of each State.” ." It appears from the above, brethren, that the election of State Councils to be held on the 15th Nov. next, is most important. 1st. Because said State Councils will have the power to elect the next National Council entirely ; two for each State at large, and one more for each two thousand of colored population in each State ; and, 2ndly, that the several State Councils may take up and vigorously carry out the special measures of reform, whether the Franchise, School, or Industrial movements severally required in their respective States. The Convention at Philadelphia having adopted, by overwhelming majority, as a platform, that the Constitution of the United States is aggressively Abolition, giving power to Congress to Abolish Slavery in the Slave States, it will be your duty by voice, and where possible by vote to urge your Representatives to carry out this glorious and beign doctrine. Very respectfully, Your brother in bonds, JAMES McCUNE SMITH, Pres't Nat. Council. NEW YORK, Oct. . 22nd, 1855. *The mold of canvass has been amended by the Convention of Philadelphia; due notice will be given of the amendment.
[PAGE 2]
The National CONVENTION. We are unable to publish this week, the proceedings of the National Convention of Colored Americans, which adjourned sine die, on the 19th inst., after a session of three days. We (the junior editor) expected to be home in time for their publication, and, also to give our readers the Address to the American People, read by Dr. SMITH, and adopted by the Convention. -- But being compelled to remain in Elmira, during the afternoon of our journey, and during the night at Corning, on account of a train of cars being thrown off the track, we did not arrive home until eleven o'clock, A. M. on Wednesday. In our next week's issue, we purpose to give a pretty full report of the doings of the Convention, as we do not wish them mutilated, by attempting a hurried synopsis of them. The Convention was a large one, more than one hundred delegates, from various parts of the country, being in attendance. The various sessions were crowded with intelligent and interested spectators, colored and white. It did not, however, equal our expectations, nor were its sessions as harmonious as similar Conventions we have attended. There was too much disposition to quibble, and wrangle, and raise points of order. Much of the time was thus worse than wasted. Upon the whole, we do not think the Convention up to the average standard of those hitherto held by us. Had there been fewer young men elected as delegates from debating societies, and men of wisdom and experience chosen in their stead, men who have the interest of the Cause at heart, we think the sessions of the Convention would have been more profitable, and would have redounded more to the credit of those composing it.
[PAGE 3]
There was, however, many of our ablest men in attendance. There were Dr. McCone Smith, P. A. Bell, W. J. Wilson, Junics C. Morell, W. H. Topp, Stephen Myers, G. T. Downing, C. L. Remond, Robert Purvis, W. C. Nell, Rev. L. A. Grimes, Rev. Stephen Smith, Wm. Whipper, J. C. Weare, Prof. Reason, Jno. C. Bowers, Dr. J. S. Rock, Dr. T. White, Rev. J. C. Beman, Rev. A. G. Beman, our excellent President, Dr. J. G. Bias, Franklin Turner, E. V. Clark, Jas. W. Duffin, and a host of others. With such a number of able men in the Convention, it might have exceeded in ability any one previously held, but there was, apparently, a preponderance of lungs over brains, notwithstanding the many able men assembled. A great many would talk to no purpose, and to the exclusion of those who, if they could have been allowed to speak, would have spoken words to be remembered. The Address to the American People, prepared by Dr. Smith, is an able document. It sets forth the claims of the oppressed, in a lucid, and forcible manner, and is unanswerable in the position maintained in regard to the Anti-Slavery character of the Constitution. It expressly denies that any law in the land, or any compact, or Constitution has ever made those who are held in bondage, chattels; ; and, if such law exists, it is contrary to the Constitution. - No process of Law has ever been adduced by which any slave, so-called, has been deprived of liberty; and as the Constitution declares that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law," it follows that each and every one under the Constitution, is entitled to freedom. The Address also maintains the right of Congress to abolish Slavery in the Slave States. This can be effected by electing such a Congress, such a President, and appointing such a Judiciary, as will carry out the benign provisions of the Constitution. The reading of this Address, and the motion for its adoption, called out Messrs. Remond,
[PAGE 4]
Purvis, and Morell, in opposition to it, and Dr. Smith, and Frederick Douglass, in its defense . - After the discussion, which was a very able and interesting one, the Address was adopted by a very large majority. During the discussion, Mr. Morell declared that the Constitution is either pro-slavery or anti-slavery, as the public sentiment of the community declares it. According to his own reasoning, the thing is settled, and the Constitution is Anti-Slavery, the "public sentiment" of the Convention having so declared it! There were also many other subjects presented which gave rise to interesting discussions, among them, the proposition to admit Miss. M. A. Shadd, of Canada, a corresponding member. There was much opposition manifested to her admission, on the part of some of the members, among them a rough, uncouth, semi-barbarous fellow, named L. U. Nelson, who wished to know, "if we would admit Abby Kelly also?" He was soon silenced. F. Douglass, the writer, and others, endeavored to show the utter inconsistency of the rejection of Miss [unclear]Shudd[/unclear], by the convention. Mr. WEARE. and others opposed her admission. She was, finally, admitted, and addressed the convention during its session, at length, on the subject of Emigration to Canada. Her views which were ably expressed, did not, however, receive much sympathy from the majority.
[PAGE 5]
The Business Committee presented what was called a Pennsylvania report, in reference to the Industrial College, declaring such an Institution inadvisable, and impracticable. The Report discussed the measure at considerable length. - Dr. Smith presented a substitute, in the shape of three resolutions, providing for the constitution of Industrial Associations, each to have special charge of the mechanical improvement of the colored people of a section. These were advocated by the Doctor, Mr. Douglass, the writer, Dr. [unclear]Bias[/unclear], and others; ; and opposed by Mr. Weare, Mr. Bowers, and others. After much discussion, they were adopted. The "Report of the Committee on Mechanical [unclear]Branches[/unclear] Among AMONG THE COLORED of OF THE FREE States," was a very satisfactory paper, and highly creditable to Mr. E. V. Clark, who prepared it. The case of Passmore WILLIAMSON was brought prominently before the Convention by the offering of resolutions of sympathy, &c., [unclear]c[/unclear]., by Mr. Purvis. The resolutions, with others, adverting to the the colored heroes, who took part in the movement, were adopted by the Convention. There was much business transacted, which we have not time to notice, but must refer our readers to our next issue. The Convention has, doubtless, had a very salutary effect, and we hope it may result in some practical good, which may be of benefit to ourselves and posterity.
[PAGE 6]
On the evening succeeding the Convention, Frederick Douglass addressed a large concourse of citizens, in Sampson Hall, on the present aspects of the Slavery Question. The night was rainy, and otherwise disagreeable, but the commodious Hall was well filled by a highly intelligent and appreciative audience, though not a bill nor a placard had been posted. Concert Hall had been engaged for the Lecture, but the manager, for fear of the popular displeasure, broke the contract. He had previously opened this Hall, for a colored baby-show, calculated, in his estimation to disgrace the race, but he refused to admit a colored man, who he thought would do credit to the same oppressed people, into the same building. He was exposed on the evening of the Lecture, in a most withering manner. Mr. D., the writer, and Dr. Rock, of Boston, addressed is a very crowded audience in the St. Mary's St. Presbyterian Church, on Sabbath evening, when a collection of thirty dollars was taken up, in behalf of the Vigilance Committee.
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
“1855 National Convention Post News Coverage,” Colored Conventions Project Digital Records, accessed October 22, 2026, https://www.omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/1233.