The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-03-21
TIE srKAKINa.

Mr.. Watkins said: Fellow Citizens, l
thank you for the honor you do me in Sc
loeting me to preside over you. We are in
formed in holy writ that "there is no new
thing under the sun % I would not attempt
to call into question one statement found
there, but must say zoe have found some
thing new to US, standing here as we do on
this occasion. Thirty years ago | was told
thst my father had fought as g soldier in
the last war with Englsnd, ct Horse Shoe,
and other places under General Jackson.
was sent by my father to school, and re-
ceived a fair English education. When
grew up I asked why, il my father and
other celored men fought for their country,
their sons were held in bOndagel "Whst
did they fight for?" I asked Of intelligent
white people. 4" For liberty" was the re-
ply. But where is the liberty they won?"
I asked, So have seen my father 60 to the
ballot box and deposit his vote there-why
am | not permitted 70 do the same thing2"
7 was told it was because lived in a slave
State that was the only reason assigned
for our deprivation Of liberty. On the lst
Of January, 1868, President Lincoln issued
his proclamation, declaring the colored
people in several parts Of the country free.
We we're told that was merely a military
measure, and that when the wsr was over,
old master and mistress would come back
and call upon us all to beg pardon for going
away from them, snd after some had been
hanged as warning TO the rest, we ahould
have to 90 to work for them sgain. Laugh
teri What have we met for 10 dayS Not
10 celebrate that procl, nation, but the Oc-
casion that took plsee in that capital few
weeks ago, when we we're declared free
eyerv man. That was laid before the vo-
tiers, and by them almost unanimously
ratified. Now, we are flee indeedl lCheers.
Years ago had heard Of free soil, and
I often wondered how it felt TO be on free
soili I got on It at last, few miles from
Cincinnsti-I stepped Oh free soil, and
thought ! felt better. But now | do mol
have 10 90 into Ohio, for Tennessee, my
native State, is freel Little did think
4
once, I should ever have the pleasure o.
addressing free oolored men and women on
free soil in Tennessee. Yet is that not nov
| a fixed fact, 80 that there is no danger
about old master and mistress coming baei
again9 CLaughter.) profess 10 be chris
tian man aud preacher, and believe 10
the resurrection, yet do snosbelieTe tina
slavery viii ever rise again. Il has q RICH
to die, but il has no right TO rise sgain
lCheers.) In this State, in 1854, the Con
stitution was amended" and by that th'
franchise formerly enjoyed was tsken away
I from all coiored men in Tennessee, Why
never could see. But what plea can there
be for keeping us from it nows Let thos'
who made Tennessee free, remember tha
We now want them 10 take another step
know il il said that We have not the neces
sary intelligence TO use that boon Alright, eu
have we intelligence enough 70 Sight right
lCheers.) Can brave men who do not feal
10 face death fight right2 II was said sons
time ago that white man with stick il
his hand, could rout a whole regiment o
cOlored folks, bat Il does not look 50 now
lAPplausO.)
The speaker then proceeded 70 read "a
account Of the battle Of Nashville, "a prov'
the bravery Of the negro troops. He mex
dilated In q manner shat deeply engages