The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-06-05
MEETING OF THE COLORED PEOPLE.

GoLDsBoRo,' N. c., May 9th, 1866.
ETROM THE REPORT AND RECOMMEN
! 4 DATiON OF the Military Board consisting of
| Gems. Steedman and Fullerton, who visited the
South for the purpose Of Investigating the affairs
| of the Freedmcn's Bureau, having left in the
minds of the coiored people i'll this County the
| impression that the Bureau about to be
| WITHDRAWN meeting was subsequently called OH
the 18th inst, in the Colored Baptist Church.
| On motion of Mr. a. Ii. Galloway, Mr. A. J.
Denton called to the Chair, and Afr- E.
Walker elected as Secretary The Chairman then
stated, in noble manner, the object of the meet
ing, when committee of five, consisting of
! McSsrs. NJ +. Walker, IL. w. Martin, H. SuggS,
| c. c. Best and j. L. O'Hara chosen to draw
| UP an address TO the Congress of the Emitted
States, and to petition for the continuance Of the
| Frcedmen's Bureau or some similar protection,
until such time us shall be recognized Is Iacn
and allowed the rights and privileges of Creemcn,
and thus be made able to protect ourselves all
men have 4 right to do.
The meeting was then addressed by Mr. A. II.
| Galloway, who endcavored to impress on the
minds OF the people the Importance and RESPONSE
blities of Liberty, and cxhorting them ever to be
| faithful to their trust.
The committee then brought in the following
| address:
| To TIE Honorable Congress Of tie United States:
The visit recently paid our town by Generals
Steedman and Fullerton has lett the impression
that the protection now erred BY the Freed
mems Bureau to the colored people is about to
be withdrawn, and we will thus be left to seek
justice in the civil Courts.
We earnestly protest against such course, and
ask that you will hear some OF cur reasons why 1t
|
ence as the slaves Of the men who now administer
the laws, we cannot convince ourselves that equal
| Justice will be melted out to us by them, but on
| the contrary, have i'll years experience OF
| freedom every reason to believe that without the
| Freedmen'S Bureau some similar protection, We
shall not be permitted to live even in peace, and
our condition thus become really worse than
| when slaves and did not expect justice
We have malice toward former masters,
whom we have served long and faithfully, and ask
! only that protection which Will enable to live
in peace and quiet, toiling we have always done,
until such time rs We are recognized men, and
| thus made able to protect ourselves as all men
have right to do
Many white persons not less ignorant than
| ourselves and are greatly prejudiced. They have
not forgotten forgiven the humble part
| took in the war for the defence of the Union,
where we periled our lives often in aiding and
protecting escaping Union prisoners when seek
ing their own lives, and when without promise of
pay, except in our own approving conscience, we
shared with them our last N oathful of bread
For the plain duty Of shouldering the muskct
in defence of the flag, have always loved, We
ask no praise. But the world can never know the
suffcrings have endured without a murmur,.
that We should become free and recognized
men.
We ask that the protecting influence of the,
treedmen's Bureau be continued, in order tnaI'
the young ladies, now teaeiling children may
be induced to remain and continue their labors,
for which we owe them debt of gratitude we
know not how to pay, and that the same influence
be felt by our own school here now i'll flourish
ing condition, supported and taught bv ourselves
In conclusion desire to express sincere
| thanks to the Honorable members Of your noble
body, who haze ever been watchful for the wei,
fare of us as people, and for the protection and
alienation of much suffering, which has been eX
tended to us by your noble influence and exam
pie, and pray that the God of Israel will continue
to bless, ganraf protect and enable you to baltic
for the rights of the oppressed.
ALLEN JOHNSON DENTON, Chm
MARCH EDWARD WALKER, Secretary.
In behalf of the people said address was recelV-
ed and adopted, and the Secretary empowered 10
forward it on to Washington. A collection was
then taken UP to defray the esperse and the
meeting adjourned june Sit