“For the order and decorum which may prevail here, gentlemen, I look to you. With your assistance and support we shall have harmony, which is essential to our deliberations. The cause which we come here to promote is sacred. Nowhere, in the ‘wide, wide world,’ can men be found coupled with a cause of greater dignity and importance than that which brings us here. We are here to promote the freedom, progress, elevation, and perfect enfranchisement, of the entire colored people of the United States; to show that, though slaves, we are not contented slaves, but that, like all other progressive races of me, we are resolved to advance in the scale of knowledge, worth, and civilization, and claim our rights as men among men. – Frederick Douglas
Syracuse, New York, a city perhaps best known for its eponymous university, holds a significant place in American history that often goes overlooked. 160 years ago, it was the site of a pivotal event in the fight for civil rights: the National Convention of Colored Men. This gathering, held at the former Wesleyan Methodist Church (now the Noble Cellar restaurant), brought together 144 Black delegates from across the nation to discuss and strategize on the most pressing issues of the day, including the abolition of slavery and the recognition of Black Americans as full citizens.
Led by luminaries like Frederick Douglass, the convention produced a powerful “Declaration of Wrongs and Rights,” outlining the injustices faced by Black Americans and demanding their rightful place in society. This document served as a rallying cry for the abolitionist movement and helped lay the groundwork for future civil rights organizations like the NAACP.
The church itself has a rich history, having served as a safe haven for fugitive enslaved people on the Underground Railroad. In the late 1990s, three clay face carvings, believed to have been sculpted by those seeking freedom, were discovered in the church’s basement, further solidifying its connection to this important chapter in American history.
Recently, Syracuse city officials, business owners, and residents gathered to commemorate the 160th anniversary of this historic convention. Mayor Ben Walsh officially proclaimed October 4th as National Convention of Colored Men’s Day, paying tribute to the delegates’ courage and their lasting impact on the fight for equality.
As the nation grapples with ongoing issues of racial injustice and inequality, it’s crucial to remember and honor the legacy of those who fought for a more just and equitable society. The National Convention of Colored Men in Syracuse serves as a powerful reminder of the long and ongoing struggle for civil rights in America, and the importance of continuing to work towards a future where all are truly equal and free.
