Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-05-13
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SLAVES SPEECH.

The Washington IN. Carolina) Despatch
of the l4th ultimo, contains the following
speech delivered at a Festival of the Aux
iliary Fire Department of that town. The
speaker, John Randall, we learn is slave,
about % years old, Gan excellent, orderly,
and respected man." belonging to John
Taylor.
JOHN RANDALL's SPEECH, AT THE AUX1L'
larry FIRE DEPARTMENT FESTIVAL.
Gentlcmen Public speaking is rather
out of my line Of business, and I had made
up my mind that tonight, except when eat
ing I would keep my mouth shut, for I well
know my inability to do justice to the cause,
or the occasion, or credit to myself. But l
hope that my interest in the cause, and my
exertious as one Of the committee ofarrange-
meuts to make this occasion as pleasant and
agreeable as possible to all, will be apology
enough for me. I am, gentlemen, under
many and lasting obligations for the honor
conferred on me by calling me- to preside over
this respectable and intelligent, assembly. a
more pleasant task j never performed, ss
I'll were this night in New York or Bos-
ton, or any land of pretended liberty, pre-
siding at some abolition or fanatic meeting,
I should not feel myself more elevated, nor
half SO highly honored, as I now feel
Don't think that I make this remark to
gain the good will or praise ofapy, speak
| it from tha honest convictions of my own
mind, judging all by myself, that we are
this night enjoying ourselves, to greater per-
fection, than any class Of men,--I. liked to
have said white folks not excepted. We
have but few cares to disturb the peace Of
our minds; the heavy responsibilities Of
business matters does not crowd 30 heavy
upon our brain our thoughts are not so
much occupied upon the accumulation of
wealth, therefore our sleeps is sound and re-
freshing at night. Our thoughts by day are
light and free, and we can think to-day how
we shall enjoy ta.raoFrow, The happiest
msn ON earth is the Christian colored man,
who has just troubles enough to keep him in
the constant discharge of his duty; and the
performance of that makes him happy and
cheerful.
Not few nor light are the burdens OF this
life !; then load it not with heavinesS of spir-
it. There are three chief rivers of despon-
dency-sin, sorrow and fear. Sin is the
aaanaet sorrow hath its shadows, and fear
is noisy rapid. But even to the darkest
hole in gifts profoundest river, hope can
pierce with quickening ray, and all those
depths are lighted.
This very house we have seen on former
occasion, crowded with the wealth, the fair
and the beauty of Washington but it has
never before been crowded with real happl-
ness or pleasure, such as we colOred people
enioy. There are few towns, if any, where
colored people have greater privileges OF en-
loving themselves in any civil way than in
Washington, the garden-spot of North Caro-:
lima. Our singing schools, temperance and
charitable societies, and our fire companies,
are all good, moral and perfectly harmless.
Among the persons that compose them, there
NAV be some improper characters, but the
institutions themselves are right. Then,
gentlemen, let US use and not abuse these
things.
To you, my brother 6remen, are extended
privileges that none others have. 10 you
every citizen of Washington, from the rich
est to the poorest, looks for help, when that
alarming, destructive and often that un-
ouenchable enemy-fre-is about to destroy
them and all they have. Let them not look
in vain. When the alarm is given, be not
reluctant; but go and do your duty; fight
as though you were fighting to save your
own house and property. Do that, and we
are apt to conquer and for every fire We q,
Conquer, veil have 4 supper orst least Ss'l