The 1848 Colored National Convention was a convention held by free black men as part of the Colored Conventions Movement. The convention was held from September 6 to September 8, 1848, in Cleveland, Ohio, at the courthouse. The convention met to vote on 34 Resolutions.
The Colored Conventions Movement
The Colored Conventions Movement began in the 1830s and sporadically met into 1893. The main goal of the convention movement was to gain freedom and call attention to the constitutional rights of slaves and African American freemen. The conventions consisted of free African Americans from Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, New York, and Canada.
Members of the convention
Members of the convention included Frederick Douglass, a well known equal rights activist, as the president, John Jones as the vice president, and William H. Day as the secretary. Allen Jones (Ohio), Thomas Johnson (Michigan), and Abner Hunt Francis (New York) were added as vice presidents. William H. Burnham and Justin Holland (both from Ohio) were assigned assistant secretaries. Other members included A. H. Francis, Martin Delany, C. H. Langton, D. Jenkins, Henry Bibb, G. W. Tucker, W. H. Topp, Thomas Brown, J. L. Watson, J. Malvin, D. Jenkins, and G. W. Tucker.
Convention proceedings
The convention was called to order on Wednesday, September 6, 1848, at 10:00 a.m. The first session was simply a roll call and to appoint members to various positions. The second session began at 2:30 p.m. on September 6. The president made some remarks then sang a liberty song. Further remarks were made by various members and more songs were liberty songs were sung. More remarks were made and the first day of the convention came to a close. The second day of the convention began at 9:00 a.m. with a prayer from Reverend John Lyle. Roll call was taken and names of those members not present were removed from the rosters. The minutes from the previous day were approved and the convention began to discuss the resolutions. The convention went on recess while discussing the 8th resolution. On Thursday at 2:30 p.m. the convention resumed with a prayer from J. D. Patterson, the minutes from the previous session were addressed and then discussion resumed with the 8th resolution. Thursday was concluded with the singing of "Come join the Abolitionists". Friday, the convention continued at 9:00 a.m. with a prayer by Reverend Kenyon. The convention went on recess after a synopsis of the proceedings was sent for publishing. The final session of the convention convened at 2:30 p.m. A prayer was delivered by Reverend William Ruth.
Topics discussed at the convention
The convention met to discuss many different ways to reject the persecution that the African American people had faced. The convention also gave ways to help the African American people become more equal to the white man. The convention suggested that the African Americans need to become more educated and not work for the white man but work with the white man. The African Americans must expand their minds and become more educated, and shame those who oppose the equality of all man. To do this, it is suggested, that newspapers and books be read to improve the minds and elevate the African Americans to the level of the white men.
The Resolutions were as follows:
1. Opposing derogatory things and wanting equality
2. The elevation of all classes should be equal.
3. All classes should have the same access to knowledge of trades and jobs
4. That being a servant or domestic is degrading, and should be avoided when possible
5. Education is important, and children especially should at least get a business education
6. An association is recommended to unite the people and to concentrate the efforts of freedom and equality
7. That we will try to be moral and aware of the political actions of the times, but liberty and humanity are the most important.
8. That no person or establishment will be supported unless they are for equal rights and privileges
9. Liberty is the most important thing and should not be compromised
10. Nothing is worse than slavery and that everything must be done to discontinue the practice
11. in order to support the people it is imperative that we know the status of our people, and that ministers and others throughout the North States take census and that this information be forwarded to the next National Convention.
12. Remaining sober is a great way to elevate the class and that societies should be formed to promote this
13. That supporting the Free Soil Movement and the Buffalo Convention is highly encouraged, but we should be characterized as abolitionists.