Page:Proceedings of the Convention of the Equal Rights and Educational Association of Georgia 1866.djvu/10

 with zeal. Richmond, Jefferson, and Greene counties have given us the most assistance. Too much praise can not be given to the colored people of Augusta. Through evil report and good report they have never faltered, never failed us. They have given $384,50 and have loaned $1028,80. The money loaned should have been paid before, but as I have said above, it has been impossible to do so. The creditors have held a meeting, and have chosen a committee to consult with this Association, and, if possible, make a settlement. If it had Dot been for the assistance which we have received from Augusta, we must have suspended the publication of the paper several months since. The friends in Augusta feel that they can give and loan no more at present.

I informed the council at its meeting in July that, in my judgment, we must receive assistance from our friends at the North, or we could not succeed in our undertaking ; and I was requested to visit the North and represent to our friends there the importance of the work we had undertaken, and appeal to them for assistance. I did as requested. I found that the Northern people take a deep interest in every undertaking that has for its object the improvement of the freed people of the South, and are willing to give liberally to sustain them; but there are so many calls for money that we cannot expect very much assistance from there. I must therefore say to you that, in my opinion, your paper can not be longer published by the Association. But I am of opinion that it may still be published as the organ of the Association. I was authorized by the council to hire money if necessary to continue the publication of the paper. I have given notes that remain unpayed to the amount of $1028,80. These notes are signed by myself as President of the Association, and by the Secretary of the Council, Robert T. Kent. I assured the persons to whom these notes were given that they should be paid; indeed the money was loaned, because I gave that assurance. Therefore, when I came to the conclusion that the Association would be unable to continue the publication of the Loyal Georgian, or to pay these notes, I requested the parties who had loaned the money to meet me, and I frankly stated to them our condition. They chose a committee to represented them at this convention, and voted that they would, if the Association approved of the plan, form a stock company, pay all the debts of the paper, and continue its publication.

I advise you by all means to accept this proposition. As I have before said, I am fully convinced that the Association cannot continue the publication of the paper. We owe none but colored men and their friends, therefore it will be just as well for the cause of equal rights to have it published by them as by the Association.

But, if the Association could continue the publication of the paper I should think it better to make the change proposed, for the following reasons: As I have said, the Union League of Savannah has not thought best to unite with us, and I fear that they will do so. I am informed that other Leagues have been formed in different parts of the State, and that they have a State organization. They have