Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-11-20

SHIPPER" ever thought that Dan
Sickles, once the Tammany Hall democrat
and bitter enemy of abolitionists, had spo-
ken kind word for the negro. Yet he
did il, and handsomely and effectively, at
the meeting of the National Freedmens
Relief Association, at Cooper Institute,
New York, Monday night. DIR. Tying,
Chaplain Fiske, agent for contrabands in
Gen. Grants department,and R=v. Messrs.
Hitchcock and Bellows having spoken,
Gen. Sickles, who was on the stage, was
called up. and made very spirited speech,
in which he said:
81 am very glad to have this opportuni-
ty to contribute my humble assistance to
Gen. Grant, great commander, in the So
luticn of one of the administrative difficult
ties Of his department, and also to evince
my earnest sympathy with the object which
has brought together So large an assem-
blage of the worth and intelligence of New
York. The destiny of the millions who
will be elevated to freedom by the procla-
nation is one of the great questions of the
time. 1t is delusion TO suppose that that
decree will ever te revoked. (Applause.)
am, perhaps, one of those who, if they
had been consulted, would have hesitated
TO advise the measure, but am one of
those who, it having been done, will main
tain it. (Applause.) That measure, as
you have seen, and as has been so eloquent
ly developed TO you tonight, brings with
it great responsibilities, not only on the
government but on the people. Thousands
and thousands of the emancipaed have
gone into the army as soldiers. In that re-
spect feel peculiar interest in them and
their kindred. They have won the respect
of the army by their courage and devotion.
1t cannot be long before hundred thous-
and African soldiers will be in arms for the
Union. (Applause.) While the war lasts,
think there cannot be too many of them
in arms for the Union. (Applause.) And
they and their kindred,-those who are de-
pendent upon them-are entitled to the
same benevolent regard that the other SOL
diers of the Union have received from the
people. (Appla1se.) If the war is for
emancipation. as many assert, then surely
it is right that the enfranchised race shall
share the sacrifices of the struggle. If it is
not for emancipation, if it is for the restor-
alton of the Union as it was, then surely
we must all admire the unsel6sh heroism
which prompts men to give their lives in
struggle to which they are strangers. Gap
plause.) No pains should be spared to
remove the disquietude which exists in the
minds of the white loboring masses of the
North ond South as to the practical effect
of emancipation upon them. The popular
sentiment of the country has been swayed
against the war in no inconsiderable degree
by the apprehension that emancipation
would depreciate wages and degrade white
labor. You and | know that there can be
no greater error than that ; but while the
error asts--and it prevails to a lamentable
extent-there can DO no greater misfor-
tune. When the President of the United
States issued the proclamation he invoked
for il the blessing of heaven as a means of
suppressing the rebellion-the most impos-
ing event in our history. Lerus trust that
our efforts for the restoration of tranquility
and order will be guided by the inspiration
of kind Providence. We have to recon-
cile interests with duty, policy with human
ity, hopes with destiny"