Journal of freedom. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1865-186?, 1865-10-07

sively that nothing could be gained Dy
violence. Mr.. Sampson, in his speech,
exhibited considerable ability, and was
frequently applauded.
THIRD DAY-MoRNINe SESSION.
Oct. End, 1866.
At 9 O'Clock q. M, the President call
ed the convention to order, and after
prayer by the chaplain, a motion was
made for residing the rules.
The Secretary then read the minutes
ofsaturday's proceedings, which were
adopted.
The remainder of the morning was
consumed in considering and ~disposing
of various propositions and addresses In
behalf of the education of freedmen,
among which was one defending negro
suffrage and equal rights before the law
which was adopted and laid on the table.
Other important business was transact
ed, when the convention adjourned to p
o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Attic appointed hour, the Convention
was called to order and opened with
prayer by the chaplain.
Various addresses were her made by
members from different counties of the
State, when James II. Harris, of this
city, on motion, presented the following
address to the Constitutional Convention
now in session:
70 the Constitutional Convention of North Carolina
and Legislature TO assemble thereafter:
Assembled as delegates from different portions Of
the State of North Carolina aud representing q large
body Of the colorcd population, therefore, we most
respectfully and humbly beg leave to represent to
you. and through you to the people OF the State,
something of our situation and our wants as q peo-
pie.
Earnestly disclaiming all wish to forestalI your
action or TO dictate in the solemn and in por-
tant duties which have been irtrusted TO you, at
this most critical period, and ~coniding in your jus.
tice, wisdom and patriotism, to guard the interests
of all classes, and more particularly of that class
which, being more helpless, will most need your
just and kind consideration; they but exercise
the right guaranteed to the humbleSt citizen in this,
their petition.
It is with reverent and grateful acknowledgment
Of the Divine power and interposition, that we ac-
cept the precious soon Of freedom, resulting as it
has from a prolonged and sanguinary struggle be-
tween two great powers, and finally decreed by the
national will, we looked for var with confidence to
see the decree ratified by the whole people of the
State.
Though it was impossible for us to remain indiffer.
ent spectators of such a struggle, you will do US the
justice to admit that we have remained throughout
obedient and passive, acting such part only az his
been assigned Us, and calmly awaiting upon ProVi-
dence Our brethren have fought on tho side IS
the Union, uhilo hH'e peen obliged to serve in
the camp, to build Qualifications and raise sub
~sistence for the confederate army. Do you blame
rs that we have, meantime, prayed for the freedom
of our racer
Just emerging from bondage, under which our rare
has groaned. for two hundred and fifty years, and
suffering from its consequent degradation, We are
fully conscious that we possess no power TO control
legislation ia our behalf, and that we must depend
wholly upon moral appeal to the hearts and conscien-
ces Of the people Of our State.
Born upon the same soil, aud brought up 10 an
intimacy OF relationship unknown to any other state
of society, we have formed attachments for the white
race which nust be as enduring as life, and we can
conceive of no reason that our God-bestowed freedom
should now sever the kindly ties which have so long
united as.
Filled with gratitude to God for His great blessing,
We would bury IN oblivion the wrongs Of the past.
and wish to become more united, Is we'll a. more
useful and honorable in our sphere of life.
We are fully conscious that we cannot long expect
the presence Of government agents, or Of tbs troops,
20 secure US against evil treatment from unreasoa.
able prejudice, aud unjust men, yet we have no desire
90 look abroad for protection and sympathy
We Know we must 6nd, both at home and
among the people of our own State, and merit them
by our industry, sobriety and respectful demeanor, or
suffer long and grievouS evils. We acknowledge
with gratitude that there are those among former
slave masters who have promptly conceded our free
dom, and have mapifested a just and humane dispo-
siiiou towards their former slaves. We think no
such persons, or very few at least, have lost their
working hands by desertion. At the same time it
must be known to You that many planters have
either kept the freedman 10 doubt; have wholly
denied his freedom, or have grudgingly conceded it,
and while dong so have expelled his family from the
plantations which they may have cleared aud enriched
by their toll through long and weary years. Some
have withheld a just compensation. or have awarded
such pay as would not support the laboreE and his
family. Others have driven their hands away with
cut any pay at all, or even q share OF the crops they
have raistd d. Women with families Of children,
whose husbands have been sold, have dird, or have
~Io, gully dtssltd them, have in ONE cases been
driven away from the homes where, under slavery,
they have s; cot o lifetime of hard service. is it jus.
or chrh tian thus 20 thrust out upon the cold world
belplers families to perish? These groSser forms OF
evil we believe Will correct themselves under wise aud
b lm me legislation, but We do most respectfully urge
that some suitable measures may be adopted to pre-
vent unscrupulousa ad avarcious employers from the
practice e these and other similar acts Of Injustice
towards our peolls.
Our trst and eDgrossing concsru in our new rtll-
sion r., how we may provide shelter and an hoDora.
bic subsistence for Ourselves and families. You will
say work; bat without your just and confederate
aid, how shall We secure sde quate compensation for
our lsbor2 If the friendly relations which we go
nu b desire shall prevail, must there not bs mutual
co.apOration n? As our longer degradation cannot add