The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-11-29
THE FREEDMEN.
Speech Of Chief Justice Chase-COn-
stitutiOnal Amendment Endorsed. 4

In Philadelphia, on Thursday even
ing, at meeting of the Pennsylvania
branch of the American Freedmen
Union Commission, Chief Justice
Chase spoke as follows: eas',s
One of the most interesting facts of
this work is in the fact that the idea
is realized in it. The people through
out the country acted voluntarily in
their associations. You have come
here tonight as men and women in
terested in the great public work, and
you act In cooperation with the Gov
eminent, acting in its sphere with en-
ergy and efficiency, and | trust. with
the best results. All who choose to
comment land censure, may comment
and censure AA4'st .BlSs~a-a L--iA
What are we doing2 We are en-
deavoring to carry forward work
begun by the Government, and which
is now itself under the charge of the
Government. We are endeavoring to
carry the blessings of education to
every person in the South who is will
ing to receive them. Our labors are
particularly directed to the education
of our emancipated countrymen, who
need it most. What will be the re-
suit if this work goes ON upheld by
thesbroad arm and by the warm as
PERSONS of generous people?
Education will be diffused through
all the South, and every man who has
part to perform in the labor of the
South will be made twice the man
that he was before. Is there any
harm in that? Is there not a great
good in it? Is not the educated la
borer, the skilled laborer, twice,
thrice, and even ten times as valuable
to the community as the uneducated
and the unskilled? IF education can
be dlffused throughout these masses,
prosperity and peace, with all their
blessings, will come upon the whole
land. Let US go on with this work.
Let us hail everything that aids AMI
encourages the settlement of all diff
cult questions which now perplex the
country.
The President of the United State;
offered to the South his terms of re-
organization and readmission to
participation in the political power of
the country. The Congress of the
United States has offered its terms.
and I will take the liberty here to saw
that / think mere generous, a more
magnanimous proposition was never
submitted to a people who have been
In rebellion than the amendment
which has been proposed by Congress.
Applause.
If those communities who have
been in rebellion against the Govern
ment have anything to propose-if
they think there is a better mode, a
more generous mode, - better ealcu-
lated to secure the peace and harmony
and prosperity of this great land-let
them come forward and propose it,
and the people will listen and judge.
In this country it is, thank God, the
people who listen and judge every
proposition which is submitted. APP
plause. | hope for the best. 4
know what nation of passion and
prejudice is; it is violent and unrea-
sonable, but it is transient-it speedily
passes away.
Everything connected with this
great question of restoration should
be calmly considered, and trust that
the people will never consent to any
arrangement which does not insure
permanent peace, tranquility, union
and prosperity of this land. Zap
plause1
This is all, my fellow citizens and
friends, that / think is necessary to
say this evening, [ could not say
less, without suffering myself to be
misrepresented and misunderstood
[Long continued applause