The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-03-04


was densely crowded-the organ was
played by . colored man, accompanied bv
male and female singers; the instrumental
and vocal music afforded evidence of the
truth that Africa will yet excel in the i'm.
aginative arts. At the request Of general
ssxtop, From Grsenland's Icy Noun
tains,' &c, was poured 1orth in rich vol
riations, suited to the present times and
events.
Rev. Mr.. French, Chaplain U. g. A.. Of
Gen. Saxton's staff, called on Rev. M.
Houston, Pastor Of the Third Baptist (col.
ored) church, who led in prayer, 3ervently,
eloquently, impre1sively.
Rev. Mr.: French spoke briefly, introdu.
cling Gen. 8axton az true man, and q true
friend Of the colored people who had done
much for them, and now. at the FIRST oppor-
tunity, wished to explain few thincp to
them for their good.
Gen. Saxton disclsimed special disinter.
eeted benevolent action for any particular
class of persons; he had served his country
for Is years, and Was serving it now and
He had keen pleased with tie singing Of
the hymn, and he hoped it would ring and
swell in sacred song and make these walls
shake with increased realization of the
great thoughts expressed in it.
If he had been told, some years ago.
when he passed through this State, that he
would have attended and addressed such a
meeting as this, he would have rejected
the idea. He had bowed the knee to slave.
~ for the sake Of the Union; but change
had taken place. He thanked God for the
new and better order OF things. in mems
opinions and practices.
He came here empowered by the Presi-
dent Of the United States to say to every
colored man that he IS free. free, Jorever.
free. [Shouts of Amen" and much joy
Gus rapture.l Free to take care of himself.
of his wife and children. This he had
come 70 say to them; and he hoped they
would thank the Lord for it-that they
could walk the streets, free, every man and
woman.
He supposed they had not heard the his
tory of this war; he would tell them little
Of it before he preseDted his business talk.
Up North, where the Aboltionists live
tionist-the Law up North 10 that every
man is free. All the Northern States be-
lieve this, and they belong to the United
States. The SontherneYs told us, some
years ago, that when one of the fugitives,
weay and worn, came flying to us from
slavery, We must send them back. When
they told us that, We felt as if we could
hardly do it, but still We did the best we
could. But when Sumter was fired upon,
and our flag insul:ed, we could stand it no
longer, and We rushed to arms to defend
our country and preserve the Union; and
when in course Of the war it was seen that
the destruction Of slavery would aid the
cause Of truth and government, we were
glad that God in His providence gave us
an opportunity to provide for and declare
you I'll to be free.
But it is of little use to man to have his
liberties given him, unless he has also Civ
an him something to do.
Freedom does not mean lazinees, idle
ness, Liberty to steal, &c. Slavery does
mean all such, and s0orse.
No people can be- truly free, unless they
have place to live on and cultivate the
soil. A large number Of colored folks fol-
lowed Gen. Sherman in his recent glorieus
march, and he said they need means of liv.
ing; and he has provided such for them.
The soil il the source of all true prosperity
and wealth; the soil is the foundation Of the
great ships, and stores, and wealth in the
cotton fields, &c. et
When the Jew was cursed, the great item
in the curse was that he Was 70 be s0G1s.
dcrer;; not TO own the soil. No people can
i:be great unless they own soil. You know
thar; Gen. Sherman knows it, our Father
in Heaven knows it.
And now ] want to tell you, you may o,o,,
Tie s0,l. deep sensation.
+ Here he read from the recent order o.
Gen. Sherman, and said: Put that down
and keep it in your heart, that the Presi-
dent has declared you al free.
Nobody has Tightto compel you towork
for him. want yon al 70 work; to be in.
austrious, and put the wages sn y0str 0son
pocket.
You are not to be forced into the Army
service. If you want to enlist will be
glad to have you do %. You can work
where you choose. IF your old masters
will give you good wages you may Work
for them. And IL will be better for them
70 hire you than it has been for them to hold
you a. slaves, If they will understand 1t, as
hope they will.
Il is the duty of the yoasng man, who ie
able, to enlist in the service Of the country
mean the young man without wife or fam.
| lily. The frst duty il to take care Of the
family. He that has large family should
6nt provide for Them. The young man,
without fhmily, should enlist Ut once. bu'
you viii not 90 forced TO enlist. Not only
does the Government give you chance tG
enlist, but it gives you bounty OF !SOO ano
dieTs have.
had rather di0-rather die-rather starve
in desert Island than TO be slave. &c
not want anything that cannot earn; mol
do want any man to work Tor me, as
slave. I wsnt pay for my work, and an
willing to pay every man who WORKS io'
me.
In the Proclamation Of the President, ,and
in the Order Of Gen. Sherman are the mean,
to make you Freemen. and 70 own ,!sa, the soa
you live on. All these beaut1fal. iruataul
islands spoken Of are yours.
I have been appointed by Gen. sherman
a Inspector Of Plantations; and Will alo
you in the getting Of 40 acre farms q
homes. Now, do you know how much
40 acre lot is? or how to measure lt9 face
of four hundred PAGES one way; anu lonl !,
hundred the other way; and you nave 4
acres; only be sure that you step long, &c
as to have good big tract. lCneeIs.! !
the land where you wish to 60 is 80 located =
that you do not wish to have the whole 4
acres in one lot, you can pace on IN lne
same proportion. You ought to have some
wood land. recommend each iamily g
have ten acres Of wood land, and thirty
acres Of tillable land. Two hundred PAGES
each way will give you ten acres, &C.
When you 70 on the large plantanons yot
will find great many forty acre lois; ane
you should divide accordingly.
Iexpect you will all be industrious, &c
your farms, and have houses pretty soon
and good gardens, and live like eniignfen