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THE NASHVILLE CONFERENCE, a of the committee on i eae tows biene a in the South et eae in a school-room, in the church, in places of amusement, in the jury box, and in the local offices of the government. In other words, to get at the bottom of the grievance, they are not on a kocial equality with the whites, are or invited into, parlors, are not desired in the same pew at church, «or in the same school-room with » the white children, and that they are not rulers in politics. The intelligent ones, like Pinchback, who made the report know that this is practically the case at the North where colored people were born free, and have been educa ted, as well as given, we suppose, as Nikes hasead in most matters an the whites. Yet they octwpy a subordi nate position as a class. We would have them enjoy, to the fullest extent, every right they are entitled to under the law, but they will find that mere citizenship does not bring social or intellectual equality. These things are governed by laws of nature which no statute can change or govern. Labor in the South, as elsewhere, will command what it is worth. The land owners can complain also that they are not making money. Many of them are unable to improve their places. This results mainly from the financial system of the country and the consequent low price of cotton. We have a ruinous credit system here in the South, which as long as it prevails will ever prevent general prosperity. All classes are affected by it; the colored people more than the whites, because they are less in telligent. They go to the country stores and run in debt to the extent of their credit, and generally come out in debt at the end of the year. If the conference at Nashville would advise them to stop this policy and try to acc emulate means and buy homes and improve them, either in the South or the West, as might suit them best, it might do them some good. The report while containing some bitter and un true things, makes the admission that colored people are excluded from workshops, trades and other re munertive business and advance ment in the North. They will find this the case in’ Kansas as well as elsewhere. Some very good‘ suggestions are made to the youth of the race as to the observance of strict morality, temperate habits, economy, etc. The central idea of the report is that the rights of the race can only be secured by education, and that the general government should establish a general school sys tem for all alike from the proceeds of public lands sales. As to emigration, the aid society established at Wash ington is heartily endorsed, though no definite recommendation is made about going West. Pinchback made it suit to bring in the name of Grant as the next nominee for President by the party, which was received with in immense applause. The conference was not a very dignified affair, but as much so as could be expected. There was nothing said or done to indicate that the colored peo ple have made, as a cags, much pro gress in refinement, good behavior or common sense. Great disorder pre vailed frequently, and a very intoler ant spirit was manifested. Those in the minority on the main questions were hooted down and not permitted to speak. This is a representative body of men specially invited. No great good will come of the conference.
Newspaper Details
Memphis Public Ledger
Memphis, Tennessee, US
Sat, May 10, 1879
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 12 Jan 2026
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