New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-02-01

Ratification Meeting ns the Cooper lnsti-
tute-Addressss BY ,1r. Theodore Til
ton, Nr. Frederick DoHgisss mad The
Res. seiia Martin.

A mass meeting Of tho colorOA people was
held last evening In the large hall OF the Cooper Inst
tuts for the purpose of uniting In expressing their
sentiments In regard TO the amendment TO the Consti
tuition Of tie United States abolishne Slavery At
O'Clock when the exercises which consisted Of prayer
music. and singing ~ about three dozen Little g.ls ar
rayed IN white commenced. every seat was occupied
and later corners were obliged TO stand Mr.. George
Smith presided. On the platform were number OF
ladies and gentlemen Mr.. Theodore Elton, the Rev.
Sella Martin Mr.. Frederick Douglass and others.
Mr. SMITH stated the objects OF the meeting and pre-
scented the Rev. Mr.. JONES. who offered q prayer at
impressive and appropriate In the course Of which
he ascribed the great work OF the abolition Of Slavery
not TO man but to God. lie patriotic song:
mo Slave beneath the Flag
was then sung by about thirty little girls VITA &C.
compartment on the piano.
Tie amendment to The Constitution was then read
and when the applause which followed had subsidized
the Chairman Introduced the Rev. SELLA MARTIN who
spoke Substantially as follows;
no commentary that lie could make on the passage
OF the amendment to the Constitution abolishing
Slavery would be-cou.d be-more impressive than the
statement Of the fact thu. H. to-day could 20 Georgia
and stand over the grave OF his mother. and join in
singing the song Of redemption. while the colorcd race
chanting at this hour all over the country Hitherto
va had known little OF that Constitution and cared less
only so far as we were oppressed by lis authority That
Constitution Is now ours, aud we are IN IT, We might
have known that wonld have been For the last
four years no man Las eone to the capitol OF the United
States who hus not carried niger" on his
shoulders and no one las come out Of /:
that had not one Over hs'prostrate form. We were
there not that were 80 inpgdent rush in where
angels fear 20 troad but we dragged there aud
everywhere, aud now they have dragged US into the
Constitution (applause) aud the probability IA that we
shall remain there as long as toe Government exists
Twenty five years ago John Quincy Adams rose in
his seat IN Congress ard proposed an amendment to
tho Constitntlon exactly in the sane terms as the one
which has passed. II was not treated with even the
dccency and respect 10 refer il TO the appropriate
Committee, and the shareholders. as clustering
then as they are e1scting now, threatened
we ave heard II certified by the Secretary OF
State that eight slave states gave their consent 10 rat
ify thar amendment. Eight slave States! There were
only IL in all that went out Of the Unou and every one
OF them but i've within Ave pears gave their consent 10
the abolition of that for the preservation and perpetual
ton Of which they took up arms and went on. OF the
Union. But the question is have we an amend
ment 10 the Constitution. and II SO, what does
IL meant IL has been certified that we
have. What is ITS meaningi No other class
Of men except ths negro was ds'rlnchised except
some AZ the North ard they were DISTINGUISHED because
they had some connection With Slavery in one way or
other. BY this amendment these people are lifted
from that anomalous :qldlt0n into their natural con.
dcp 81 ireemen and sha' MEANS he nae Of the ballot.
boz MI Martin held this 10 be The oBy proper inter.
probation Of the amendment ~ the Constitution ard
that man whose ballot was rejected in the City Of
New York on account of n possessing the State qusi
kOlton would, II be took tho matter into the courts
lind Il jury and Judge impartial enough 10 confirm hs
in this ererclse OF that Constitliioralright
Mr. MARTIN further addressed the meeting Al con.
siderable length topics suggested by ths Occasion
and concluded hs address amid considerable applause
After the reading Of tho petition OF the New Yorl,
delegation TO Washington In reference 90 universal
suffrage, Mr.. TBEoDoRE TlLloN was presented. and
received with thunders OF applause waving OF hand
kerchies hats and everything else available He mads
stirring. feeling and eloquent address applauding the
sentiment In the prayer OF the evening which ascrbsd
this victory and this glory % tho Lord lie alluded 10
few incidents OF the late Rebellion and the GROWING
triumph OF the struggle In manner that drew tears OF
It may be admiration gratitude or love from at least
one old man who occupied seat near tbs platform
patriotic song was again sung and a. It's conclu.
sion Mr.. FREDERICK DOUGLASS was introduced. The
manner OF his reception may be easily imagined lie
couplimented Mr.. Tilton for his noble exertions in
favor Of the coored race alluded TO the OF the
the present rect ofaairs and concluded by express
ing his conf 'ucs II the final triumph Of justice and
right Thee srcses shortly atter came to oIose aud
The meeting ioUgged ABBOTT hsltpsst slsrea.