Colored Conventions Project Digital Records

The Colored Convention

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Title

The Colored Convention

Source

Kansas Historical Society

Publisher

Wyandott Herald

Date

1888-06-07

Scripto

Transcription

[PAGE 01]
The Colored Convention.

The colored convention at Lawrence on the 31st ult. was attended by 112 delegates, and the proceedings were spirited and harmonious. C. H. J. Taylor presided and the following general resolutions were adopted:

Whereas, It is necessary on our part to take some action to emancipate the race from the thraldom of the party whom we have served unswervingly for twenty-five years last past, with no indication of being met by said party and its managers on the platform of equal manhood, notwithstanding we, their faithful allies, have asked, implored and begged said party to meet us half way in a public manner, thereby proving to us that our right to citizenship was not granted merely for the purpose of putting the white men of the Republican party into power; and

Whereas, Said blind following of these white managers of that party has thrown an unpleasant stigma around the race, the only offset being the giving our race hollow and flimsy promises, which promises have never been kept in a single instance, they the makers not intending to keep them; and

Whereas, We view with alarm in Kansas--the - the boasted great Republican state--race race prejudice increasing, as shown by the Republicans' treatment of our race at the polls even after nominating them in conventions, and this prejudice not only keeping our race out of official positions but affecting the public schools of the state so as to close them against us, as well as all other public places to a greater extent than that which exists in Texas, where it is considered that here they continually sing "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave"; and

Whereas, The ministers of our churches in a number of places have preached in their pulpits concerning the dark and gloomy aspects for the race's progress in this state; therefore be it

Resolved, That we, for ourselves and our friends in all the counties of this state represented in this convention by the delegates or by proxies, do declare ourselves to be independent voters, with freedom to vote against any party, Republican or what not, that forgets us, our wives and our children.

The resolutions that then proceeded to arraign the Republicans of a number of counties for the defeating colored men for office. As to this county they said:

Resolved, That we desire the defeat of the Wyandott county Republican ticket for the brutal slaughter politically of that true representative negro, George A. Dudley, for register of deeds.

Mr. Taylor's paper was adopted as the organ of the independent colored voters of the state. This movement promises very important changes concerning the relations of the colored people to the Republican party.

Convention Minutes Item Type Metadata

Convention Type

State, County

City

Lawrence

State

KS

Country

USA

Start Date

1888-05-31

End Date

1888-05-31

Provenance

Unknown

Event ID

1888.KS-05.31.LAWR

Citation

Taylor, C. H., “The Colored Convention,” Colored Conventions Project Digital Records, accessed October 22, 2026, https://www.omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/2313.