The North Star (Rochester)/1848/01/14/Colored National Press
COLORED NATIONAL PRESS.
We have waited patiently for a full official report of the doings of the National Convention of colored people and their friends, held in Troy, New York, in the month of October, 1847. Why such a report has not reached us we cannot divine. We think, as a member of that convention, we were entitled to a copy of the report, and we would respectfully suggest to those into whose hands was committed the publication of those Minutes, that promptitude is essential to the confidence which is necessary to carrying forward a great cause like that in which we are engaged. We trust that no unworthy motive has withheld from us those proceedings; but would like to know the cause. Perhaps Mr. Garnet can explain.
In the absence of a full report we have copied from an imperfect copy of Minutes, furnished us by our friend, W. C. Nell, the report adopted with reference to establishing a National Press. Upon this report we wish now to say a few words.
It was our good or ill fortune to oppose the adoption of this report, in the Convention; and there, as in the imperfect minutes before us, our motives for opposing the report were indirectly set down to selfishness; and we doubt not, that such persons as are unable to appreciate manly independence, will set down what we are now about to say, to the same unworthy motive; but we shall speak our sentiments, nevertheless, conscious that in so doing we are discharging a duty solemnly imposed by the high responsibility of our position.
The report adopted by the Convention sets forth the desirableness of there being a printing press under the entire control of colored persons in this country. Here we agree with the report. To prove such necessity no argument need be urged. Our condition, as an oppressed and injured people, proclaims it; and it is with the view of securing needful press, that we oppose the doubtful scheme proposed in the report. We assert, and the press of this country has proclaimed the fact from one end of the land to the other, that such a press now exists; that, for the first time in the western continent, there is a press under the entire control and direction of colored persons. We have, indeed, had papers conducted by colored persons, but we believe that ours is the first printing establishment ever owned is this country by colored persons. We make no merit of this; for the credit belongs not to us, but to the generous friends in the old world, who, seeing our destitution and difficulties, kindly came to our assistance, and gave us the means of purchasing our establishment. Through them, the colored people of this country now have a printing press and a weekly periodical dedicated to their cause, and devoted to their interest.
Now, the question is, shall we faithfully use the one we have, or shall we neglect to use it, and go in search of another! Which of the two courses seems most in harmony with common sense? The report provdes for a foreign agent to collect money, who shall have for his services thirty cents on every dollar which he may collect. By this we understand that as agent is about to be sent to England to solicit money for the establishment in question. But we respectfully ask the advocates of this measure, What answer their agent can make, when the question is asked him abroad, "What have you done with the press which we have already given you? Is it worn out in the service, or does it now exist? Is it supported, or has it been neglected and allowed to languish, for the want of the support and countenance of the very persons who are now engaged in soliciting another?" And may it not be very properly said to such agent,—"You may ask for another, with much greater probability of success, when you have shown a disposition to use the instrument already in your hands. But to all this it may be answered, We not only want a press, but a "National Press." And pray, what is the difference between a press and a national press? and why is the one to be preferred before the other? The report informs us, that we need such a press "to tell the world of our position in the path of human progress." And is it necessary that a press should be called "National," in order to tell the world of our position in the path of human progress? We think that that press, call it by what name you please,—Mystery, Ram'shorn, Northern Star, or North Star, best sustained, most ably conducted, and thoroughly devoted to the rights and liberties of our enslaved and oppressed fellow-countrymen, will be the colored national press of this country, in every essential sense of the word. And we therefore say to our brethren, Use and support the papers you already have; for it is not impossible, that by catching at the shadow you may lose the substance. You have several newspapers. They are all calling upon you loudly for support: help them, rather than seek for others. If they are not what they ought to be, your support may make them such. We therefore call upon the Smiths, the Crummells, the Reasons, the Zuilles,—Beamans, Garnetts, Topps, and Penningtons, and all others who wish well to our sacred cause, to unite in sustaining the colored periodicals already in existence. We are happy to know that the two gentlemen last named are already interested in sustaining the North Star; and we hope others will follow their noble example.
Come, brethren, let us one and all lay aside party differences and sectarian preferences, and rally around the Star that never sets, except to those who go to the slavery cursed regions of the south; and a glorious victory over cruelty and oppression will certainly crown our righteous endeavors.