1869 Convention of Colored Citizens of Minnesota facts for kids

The 1869 Convention of Colored Citizens of Minnesota was a special meeting. It was the first time black and white men met together in Minnesota. This event happened in Saint Paul, at Ingersoll Hall. It took place one year after Minnesota allowed black men to vote. Many white Republican leaders spoke at this convention, which made it unique.

The 1869 Minnesota Convention

Why the Convention Happened

After the American Civil War, voting rights for black people became a big topic. Many northern states debated this issue. The number of black people in Minnesota grew a lot. It went from 39 in 1850 to 700 in 1868. Black leaders knew this growth was important.

Because of these debates, Republicans in Minnesota worked hard. They wanted black men to have the right to vote. The Democrats strongly disagreed. In 1868, Minnesota held a vote, called a referendum. This was the third time they voted on black men's right to vote.

This time, the referendum passed! About 57% of voters said yes. This meant all black men in Minnesota could now vote.

What Happened at the Convention

The main reason for the convention was to celebrate this big win. Both white and black speakers were there. Republican politicians talked about how they helped get the voting rights passed. They also joined in the fun. They sang songs and ate food with the black leaders.

Everyone at the convention discussed the new voting law. They talked about how it removed the word "white" from the voting rules. White leaders, mostly Republicans, praised black people. They said they were impressed by the intelligence and good manners of black leaders. They mentioned famous black speakers like Toussaint Louverture and Frederick Douglass.

The black members of the convention thanked the white Republicans many times. They led the meeting, which included many guest speakers and songs. Men from both races sang together. Some white Democrats were also there. White Republicans spoke to them in a friendly way.

Important People

William Rainey Marshall was the governor of Minnesota. He was invited to speak at the convention. Governor Marshall gave a short speech. He congratulated African Americans on their new rights. He had helped put the voting rights amendment on the ballot for the public to vote on.

Maurice Jernigan was a barber in Saint Paul. He was an early leader for black rights. He was very important in the early efforts to get black men the right to vote. Jernigan was the main chairman and temporary president of the convention.