Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-06-09

NiANEH Nllft n, Tine NaaNlnNtO
s North Cofolinal Dguvs'rh Of The lit
inst eohtaipstil.l i'Vg,n or ,tn 'r9ech , deli ,li
3 Et.aftlnent of that town. The speak o.,
gs gonn m handall we learn is q slave obou
20 wears old, IAN excellent orderly. ny
''I.l.% man belonging to John 4, ~
u'i.u'hch-Fublic spcakip, ,.dirade
out OF my line of business. Ia icrt ,yhcr
up my mind that to.ntnlbrih sbpt for
eating J would keep ny to Ja insicc TO
well know my nulsir, rr ,rc,Ii, r., my.
sn,c "v ''T,' W., W uI,G my iuorcst IN the rausc,
All -. wv ,tions us onr of the committee
i',' ir',.''...,.,,a,incnt -, to make this occasion ms
pleasant and as agreeable as possible TO all,
will bc apology enough for me. am,
gentlemen, under many and lasting ohli-
cations for the honor conferred on me to
preside over this respectful and intelligent
assembly. A more pleasing task ] never
performed. If were this night in New
York or Boston, or any other land Of pre-
tended liberty, presiding at some aboli,
tion or fanatic meet ng, ! should not feel
myself more elevated, nor half so highly
honorcd as | now feel. Don't thing that
make this remark to gain the goodwill
or praise of any. speak it from the hon
est convictions of my own mind, Judging
ali by myself that We are this night en-
.joying ourselves to greater perfection than
any class of mem like to have said the
white folks not excepted. We have but
few cares to disturb the peace of our
minds; the heavy responsibilities of bu-
sincss matters do not crowd so heavy upon
ourbrain our thoughts are not somuch oc
cupied upon the accumulation Of wealth
therefore our sleep is sound and refresh
ing at night. Our thoughts by day nrC
light and free, and we can think to-day
how we shall enjoy tomorrow. The hap
piest man on earth is the Christian color
ed man, who has just troubles enough tC
keep HMM constant discharge of his duty
and the performance of that makes him
happy and cheerful.
Not few nor light arc the burdens OF
life; then load it not with hcavincss OF
spirit. There are three chicfriyerS of de.
spondency-sin. sorrow and fear. Sin is
the deepest sorrow has its Swallows, and
fear is noisy rapid. But even 70 the
darkest holein guilt proloundcst river,
hope can pcircc with quickcning ray, and
all those depths are lighted.
This very house have seen on a for.
mcr occasion, crowded with the wealth,
the fair, and the beauty Of Washington
bat it has never before been crowd
ed with real hap mess or pleasure, such
as we colorcd people enjoy. There are
few towns, il any, where colorcd people
have greater privileges of ENJOYING them.
selves in any civil way, than in Washing.
ton, the garden Of North Carolina. Our
singing schools, temperance and chaita,
bic societies, and our fire companies, are
all good. moral, and perfectly harmless
Among ths persons that compose them,
there may be some improper characters
but the institutions themselves arc right.
Then, gentlemen, let use, and not abuse
these things.
70 You, my brother frcmen, are extend,
ed privileges that none others have. Tc
you every citizen of Washington, from the
richest to the poorest, looks forhclp, when
that alarming, destructive and often that
unQuenchablc cncmy-frc- is about tC
destroy them and all they have. Let
them not look in vain. When the alarm
is given. be not reluctant; but 90 and dC
your duty fight rs though you were fight
ing to save your own house and property
Do that, and we are apt to conquer; and
for every fire we conquer, we'll have Z
supper; or at least we'll allow you thC
privilege of breaking the pledge. We arc
yet in our infancy, and have not had ;
chance to show what we can do. Blu
don't be discouraged. 1t is never too late