The Convention re-assembled at 10 o'clock on Tuesday the 27th, at
Washington Hall, the Rev. William Tasker of Frederick, President, in the
chair. The convention was opened with prayer by the president.
A note was received from H. H. Webb, of Baltimore, declining to serve as
a delegate to the convention, stating that he was not able to attend,
and did not approve of the manner in which he was elected.
In the absence of Josiah Hughes, of Dorchester, one of the Secretaries,
Cornelius Campbell, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The proceedings of Monday not being ready, on motion, the report in the
"_Sun_" was read in lieu thereof.
William Williams, of Baltimore, arose and stated that his name appeared
in the committee on the platform through a mistake--he was not a
delegate to the convention.
On motion, James A. Handy, of Baltimore, and William Perkins, of Kent,
were appointed on the platform committee, to fill the vacancies
occasioned by the withdrawal of Webb and Williams.
Charles Wyman and Allen Lockerman, delegates from Caroline Co., appeared
and took their seats.
Several of the delegates from Dorchester county and other places were
not present, having gone home in consequence of the disturbances on
Monday afternoon.
B. Jenifer, chairman of the committee on the platform, made the
following report, which was read by Charles O. Fisher:
WHEREAS, The present age is one distinguished for enquiry,
investigation, enterprise and improvement in physical, political,
intellectual and moral sciences, we hold the truths to be
self-evident that we are, as well as all mankind, created equal, and
are endowed by our Creator with the right to enquire into our present
condition and future prospects; and as a crisis has arisen in our
history presenting a bright and glorious future, may we not hope that
ere long the energies of our people may be aroused from their
lethargy, and seek to obtain for themselves and posterity the rights
and privileges of freemen--therefore,
_Resolved_, That while we appreciate and acknowledge the sincerity of
the motives and the activity of the zeal of those who, during an
agitation of twenty years have honestly struggled to place us on a
footing of social and political equality with the white population of
this country, yet we cannot conceal from ourselves the fact that no
advance has been made towards a result to us so desirable; but that
on the contrary, our condition as a class is less desirable than it
was twenty years ago.
_Resolved_, That in the face of an emigration from Europe, which is
greater each year than it was the year before, and during the
prevalence of a feeling in regard to us, which the very agitation
intended for good, has only served apparently to embitter we cannot
promise ourselves that the future will do that which the past has
failed to accomplish.
_Resolved_, That recognising in ourselves the capacity to conduct
honorably, and creditably, in public affairs; to acquire knowledge,
and to enjoy the refinements of social intercourse; and having a
praiseworthy ambition that this capacity should be developed to its
full extent, we are naturally led to enquire where this can best be
done, satisfied as we are that in this country, at all events from
present appearances, it is out of the question.
_Resolved_, That in comparing the relative advantages of Canada, the
West Indies and Liberia--these being the places beyond the limits of
the United States to which circumstances have directed our
attention--we are led to examine the claims of Liberia particularly,
where alone, we have been told that we can exercise all the functions
of a free republican government, and hold an honorable position among
the nations of the earth.
_Resolved_, That in thus expressing our opinions it is not our
purpose to counsel emigration as either necessary or proper in every
case. The transfer of an entire people from one country to another,
must necessarily be the work of generations--each individual now and
hereafter must be governed by the circumstances of his own condition,
of which he alone can be the judge, as well in regard to the time of
removal, as to the place to which he shall remove; but deeply
impressed ourselves with the conviction that sooner or later removal
must take place, we would counsel our people to accustom themselves
to the idea of it, and in suggesting Liberia to them, we do so in the
belief that it is there alone they can reasonably anticipate an
independent national existence.
_Resolved_, That as this subject is one of greatest importance to us,
and the consideration of which, whatever may be the result, can not
be put aside, we recommend to our people in this State to establish
and maintain an organization in regard to it, the great object of
which shall be enquiry and discussion, which, without committing any
one, shall lead to accurate information, and that a convention like
the present, composed of delegates from the counties and Baltimore
city, be annually held at such time and place as said convention, in
their judgment, may designate.
A motion was made to accept the report, which led to debate, John H.
Walker speaking at length in opposition to the resolutions, and hoped
that they would be referred back to the committee, contending that there
should have been a recommendation to raise a fund to fee a lawyer, or
some influential citizen of this State, to go to Annapolis next winter
to endeavor to obtain a change of legislation in reference to the
colored race.
B. Jenifer, of Dorchester, replied to Walker, urging that his views were
in opposition to the spirit of the circular which called them together,
and a majority of the delegates present.
At one o'clock the convention took a recess.
_Afternoon Session._--The convention re-assembled at 4 o'clock, the
resolutions being again debated by various delegates--John H. Walker, B.
Jenifer, C. Perry, and others.
Rev. Darius Stokes moved to lay the motion to adopt the platform on the
table, which was determined in the affirmative.
On motion of Mr. Stokes the convention went into the committee of the
whole, Charles Williamson in the chair, and took up the report of the
committee in sections.
The two first resolutions were adopted, the third referred back to the
committee, and pending the further action on the remainder of the
resolutions, the convention adjourned till Wednesday morning.