Colored Men in Council, The Columbus Convention to Discuss the Rights of the Race
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Title
Colored Men in Council, The Columbus Convention to Discuss the Rights of the Race
Source
Chronicling America
Publisher
State Journal
Date
1883-12-29
Scripto
Transcription
[PAGE 01]
COLORED MEN IN COUNCIL
The Columbus Convention to Discuss the Rights of the Race.
COLUMBUS, OHIO, Dec. 26.
A State Convention of colored men assembled here to-day, in pursuance of a call issued some time since by a number of leading colored men of the State. The object of the convention is to take into consideration the educational, moral, civil, and political interests of the colored race, and particularly the question of the equal rights of the colored people of the South. The recent decision of the Supreme Court annulling the Civil Rights bill, as well as the murder of colored men at Danville, Va., are the principal reasons for the assembling of the convention at this time. There are about 150 delegates present, among whom are a number of ministers and professional men. The greater part of the day was taken up in the formation of committees and addresses. Dr. Jackson, of Springeld, raised a breeze by moving to instruct the Committee on Resolutions to write to Congressman S. S. Cox, of New York, who took great interest in the effort to secure the rights of O'Donnell as an American citizen, expressing the desire of the convention that he would give the cause of the recent butchery of the colored citizens in the South some attention. Prof. S. S. Mitchell, of Springfield, moved to amend by providing a special committee to look after the above matter, and urged that the regular business of the committee be pushed forward. These motions were discussed very earnestly for some time, being opposed by one element which claimed that the convention was not a political assemblage, and had no business to meddle in political affairs. The whole matter was finally laid on the table by a decisive vote.
The convention was in session until a late hour. Following is the full
[PAGE 02]
text of the letter addressed to "Sunset" Cox:
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 23.
The Hon. S. S. Cox:
DEAR SIR: We the colored men of the State of Ohio, in convention assembled, ask your attention to a question which to us and to all the colored people of the United States is one of great importance, viz., the reported unwarranted and cowardly shooting down in cold blood of American citizens in the State of Virginia, in November last. We ask you because of your positive relations to civil affairs, to give this question your serious attention, and to give your aid to the passage of such a law as will protect citizens in their civil rights. We feel bold in making this request of you, because of the humanitarian position taken by you with reference to a citizen of the United States who has been charged with and convicted of the violation of the laws of another nation. We feel that since you have thus interested yourself in one who had thus violated law, you would surely give your attention to the murder of citizens here at home. Hoping that you will give this matter your serious attention, and that you will immediately consider the same, and that whatever you may find it in your heart to do, you will do it as heartily as you did in the case referred to above. We are, your humble servants,
C. L. MAXWELL, Chairman.
COLORED MEN IN COUNCIL
The Columbus Convention to Discuss the Rights of the Race.
COLUMBUS, OHIO, Dec. 26.
A State Convention of colored men assembled here to-day, in pursuance of a call issued some time since by a number of leading colored men of the State. The object of the convention is to take into consideration the educational, moral, civil, and political interests of the colored race, and particularly the question of the equal rights of the colored people of the South. The recent decision of the Supreme Court annulling the Civil Rights bill, as well as the murder of colored men at Danville, Va., are the principal reasons for the assembling of the convention at this time. There are about 150 delegates present, among whom are a number of ministers and professional men. The greater part of the day was taken up in the formation of committees and addresses. Dr. Jackson, of Springeld, raised a breeze by moving to instruct the Committee on Resolutions to write to Congressman S. S. Cox, of New York, who took great interest in the effort to secure the rights of O'Donnell as an American citizen, expressing the desire of the convention that he would give the cause of the recent butchery of the colored citizens in the South some attention. Prof. S. S. Mitchell, of Springfield, moved to amend by providing a special committee to look after the above matter, and urged that the regular business of the committee be pushed forward. These motions were discussed very earnestly for some time, being opposed by one element which claimed that the convention was not a political assemblage, and had no business to meddle in political affairs. The whole matter was finally laid on the table by a decisive vote.
The convention was in session until a late hour. Following is the full
[PAGE 02]
text of the letter addressed to "Sunset" Cox:
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 23.
The Hon. S. S. Cox:
DEAR SIR: We the colored men of the State of Ohio, in convention assembled, ask your attention to a question which to us and to all the colored people of the United States is one of great importance, viz., the reported unwarranted and cowardly shooting down in cold blood of American citizens in the State of Virginia, in November last. We ask you because of your positive relations to civil affairs, to give this question your serious attention, and to give your aid to the passage of such a law as will protect citizens in their civil rights. We feel bold in making this request of you, because of the humanitarian position taken by you with reference to a citizen of the United States who has been charged with and convicted of the violation of the laws of another nation. We feel that since you have thus interested yourself in one who had thus violated law, you would surely give your attention to the murder of citizens here at home. Hoping that you will give this matter your serious attention, and that you will immediately consider the same, and that whatever you may find it in your heart to do, you will do it as heartily as you did in the case referred to above. We are, your humble servants,
C. L. MAXWELL, Chairman.
Convention Minutes Item Type Metadata
Convention Type
State Convention
City
Columbus
State
OH
Country
USA
Start Date
1883-12-26
End Date
1883-12
Provenance
Library of Congress
Event ID
1883.OH-12.26.COLU
Citation
Maxwell, C. L., “Colored Men in Council, The Columbus Convention to Discuss the Rights of the Race,” Colored Conventions Project Digital Records, accessed October 22, 2026, https://www.omeka.coloredconventions.org/items/show/2410.