The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-04
A CommendnbIe SonIhern Sneech

hgent comprehension on the part of any OF her
leading citizens of the true solution of the pro-
blem concerning her colored people. The Efforts
OF our Northern Democratic demagogues, for
base party ends to perpetuate and increase the
prejudices, born of slavery, against these un.
fortunate people, are so persistent so shame
less, so repugnant to all noble and manly feel
ing, that 1t is a real relief to find a Southern
gentleman who by the humane and statesman
like character of his sentiments, fairly shames
these reckless and unprincipled partisans.
A free Ginner was recently given to the negroes
near Columbus, Ga. 1t was largely attended,
and speech was made to the assembly by ex-
Provisional Governor JOHNSON. From report
of his speech we learn that he compared them
to the descendants of JOSEPH in Egypt. Thev
had been reduced TO slavery and after many
years were made free. The ancestors of the
negro sold him; they were put to trial and kept
so; since, they have greatly increased In number
and intelligence; after two hundred years Of pro-
baton, the negroes by the fulness OF time and the
providence of God, through the nstrumentaty
of men, have gained their freedom, which
will remain TO them and their descendants for
ever He advised them to be Industrious, frugal
and honest, and to be careful about making con-
tracts, and reduce them TO writing, if possible,
and abide by them. He had seen rapid advances
made to higher civilization during the past
year They should be charitable, care for the
aged, and build churches and school houses.
They should obey all the laws, ard not take
redress upon themselves. The civil courts were
open to them. He advised them to respect all
the legal authorities and try to bring to light all
crime. The Government has declared their
freedom, and will maintain it. Their rights
would be protected. He hoped slavery weuld
be soon removed from Brazil and other coun-
tries, and the world would then unite for the
civilization of Africa. Two negroes spoke after
Governor JOHNSON had finished.
Contrast these sensible, humane, statesman
like utterances of Governor JOHNSON with the
vulgar and brutal "nigger-equality fanfaronades
of the Age, the New York Daily Neo0S, or the
Reverend COpperhead CHAUNCEY BURR!
lfthe Southern people generally, or even the
more intelligent portions Of them, could be
brought to take the enlightened and common.
sense view of the negro taken by Governor
JOHNSON, we should soon have no more trouble
on that score. And why should they not? Fne
negro is now free, and can never again be made
a slave. He is to remain in the country. The
separate him from the white race, has had its
day. Every body knows that il is impractcable
and will never be done. The question then
recurs whether il is better for the South to have
these four millions of inhabitants kept in a de-
graded, ignorant, and vicious condition-a
seething subs tratum of society ready to burst
forth in disorder ands Crme-or TO have them
educated, elevated, and made valuable members
of the body politc9 Is it for the real interest
of the whole that any part should be degraded
and oppressed? Is not education preferable to
ignorance, virtue to vice. thrift to idleness?
1t seems strange to ask such questions as
these in country like ours, where everything
depends upon the virtue and intelligence of the
masses. Were not the evidence daily placed before
our eyes, we could hardly believe that there are
those who desire to thrust these millions down
rather than raise them up. The fact is only to
he explained by the widespread decentralization
OF sentiment produced Oy the lone continuance
of the institution Of slavery in this country.
That system demanded the ignorance and brutal.
iZation of its victims. The more the essential
manhood could be crushed out of them, the
better slaves they made. Hence, it is not sur
prisine, after all, that those political partsans
who were so long the supple tools of the slave
poWer-those unprincipled demagogues who
aoased themselves so utterly in the dust at its
feet-shoud now fail to comprehend the new
order of things that prevails in our country.
They still cling to their old hallucinations.
They worship Dagon, though his form lies pros
trate and shattered before them. They see in
the former slave only chattel that by some
freak OF fortune has got out OF his place. The
idea of educating him, elevating HIM, and making
him valuable member OF a free community, is
to them both absurd and abhOrrent.
But such speeches as this one of Governor
JOHNSON show that even at the South, among
her more thoughtful men, a iuster and more
liberal view is beginning to prevail. There,
where the colored people form so large pro.
portion of the inhabitants. the simple truth that
they will be great deal better and safer as
neighbors, laborers, and citizens, if educated
and elevated, is beginning to be comprehended.
1t is a favorable symptom. 1t Is the legitimate
working of the idea of freedom. 1t cognizes
the necessity OF fitting the negro for the brighter
and better destiny that opens before him.
Behold, too, the enlarging influence ot liberty
upon the mind. Governor JoHNsOEs thoughts
and symDathies 90 out beyond his own narrow
circle-bey Ond even his own land. He learns
that human interests are one, and that the bless
ings of liberty are sweet alike to all men. He
becomes an dbOtuioRlSt, and hopes slavery will
tries He feels the vibrating OF the common
bondn which unites all men and constitutes the
human brotherhood.
Let us rejoice at such things as these from the
South Thew give promise OF better davs. 1t is
not impossible that even our Northern Demo-
Gratis may vet be converted to a belief in the
safety and beneticence OF free institutions.
CoLoRADo JEwETT has sent us the follOwing:-
on ~ On. 70