Convention of the Colored People of Ohio

Convention of Colored People

We gave some time ago a brief account of the Convention of Colored People at Columbus. Their proceedings since then have been published in pamphlet form, a copy of which we have received. The resolutions adopted have already appeared in our paper. We subjoin a few other matters.

FORM OF MEMORIAL.

To the Honorable the General Assembly of the State of Ohio,

The undersigned, colored people, residing in the State of Ohio, in general convention assembled, do herein empower the Executive Committee of the School Fund Institution of the colored people of this State to humbly and respectfully ask the consideration of your Honorable Assembly to our indigent and unfortunate condition; and for our moral, intellectual and religious elevation, to ask your Honorable Body to make such a donation of money, for the supports of our schools throughout this State, as your honor and wisdom may guide you to grant us, with the assurance that it shall be appropriated to the ends specified in this article, and to no other. 

CONSTITUTION

Of the School Fund Institution of the Colored People of the State of Ohio.

Believing that our Creator always appropriate that which is in its nature and tendency, adopted to elevate the moral and religious condition of his rational creatures to a right moral perceptibility and an unrestrained religious enjoyment, and believing a proper system of education , rightly instituted among us, is the best and only measure calculated to promote those high and holy ends; and believing ourselves to be imperatively called upon, by the consideration of our intimate connection with the community of this State, and by many other high and momentous interests, dear to us, as life itself, to make every laudable exertion, within the limits of our power, to promote education and all other institutions amongst ourselves, calculated to secure to us and our posterity the blessings of civil and religious liberty, as without the full enjoyment of which, life itself proves a withering curve[?]: Therefore, we, the members of this Convention, agree, in pursuance of the above objects, to form ourselves into an association, to be called the School Fund Institution of the Colored People of the State of Ohio; and be governed by the following Constitution, vis:

Art. 1. This Association shall be known by the name of the School Fund Institution of the Colored People of the State of Ohio.

Art. 2. The objects of this Institution shall be to receive money and appropriate it to the schools throughout this State, as their wants may call for it.

Art. 3. The funds of this Association shall be supplied from the following sources, vix: from colored people who may may wish to contribute to it; from white persons; from legacies; from benevolent associations; religious institutions, and annual appropriations from this State government, if such can be obtained.

Art. 4. This Institution shall be governed and directed by the following officers, viz: a President, 13 Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, two Recording Secretaries, and one Corresponding Secretatary, with an Executive Committee of thirteen–five of whom, with a majority of the presiding officers, shall constitute a quorum to transact business. 

Art. 5. The duty of the President shall be to preside and keep order in all meetings of this Society; and in the absence of the President, one of the Vice Presidents shall fill his chair.

Art. 6. It shall be the duty of each Vice President to form Auxiliaries in his district or settlement, and be the President of said Auxiliary. 

Art. 7. The duty the Secretary shall be to keep a correct account of all the proceedings of the Society; file all papers, bounds and obligations belonging to the said Institution, and all other business implied in the nature of his office, and it shall be duty of the Corresponding Secretary to do all the corresponding business of the Society.

Art. 8. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to take charge of all funds, lands, donations, legacies, and all bequests, subject to an approved security of the sum of three thousand dollars, to the Executive Committee of this Society, for the faithful discharge of his legacies, and all bequests belonging to this Society, over to his successor in office, at the annual election, if any, and make a faithful report of the state of the Treasury, annually, or at the special request of the Executive Committee.

Art. 9. It shall be the duty of the thirteen Vice Presidents to perform the duties of the Executive Committee.

Art. 10. Any person may become a member of this Institution by signing this constitution, and paying one dollar for admittance and one dollar annually. Any person may become a life member by paying ten dollars.

Art. 11. The funds of this Society shall be appropriated to the advancement of the general principles set forth in this Constitution; and the Constitution may be altered by a vote of the majority of two-thirds of the members present at its annual meeting, so as to keep pace with the great object we have in view.

FORM OF PETITION.

To the Honorable, the General Assembly of the State of Ohio.

The undersigned, colored people resident in the State of Ohio, respectfully ask that honorable body to repeal all laws and parts of laws that do restrict them in this State, in the following particulars, namely: 

1st. That statute law which was enacted January 5, 1804; and 2nd. The one enacted January 25, 1807.

Our reason[s] for asking the repeal of those laws, are the following, viz: 1st. Because the restrictions contained in those statutes, deprive us of the right of oath before any court of justice where either party to the same is a white man, thereby preventing us from claiming our lawful rights when any wrong is practiced upon us.

2. They require us to give bond and security in the penal sum of five hundred dollars, as a condition of our residing in this State, thereby making a distinction between us white and persons, not found in justice and equality.