New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-18
gems. STEADMAN and FULLERTON
AT NORFOLK.
INTERVIEW WITH COLORED CITIZENS.
Their Estimate Of the Freedmen's
Bureau.
SUFFRAGE THE ONLY SUBSTITUTE.

Report Of an tnyuisp bereen Gems &sdmaa and Fullerton
ria leading eOloyed citizens Of Norfolk Va. held AZ NC
Courtroom of the F,ssdmens Bureau corner Fen chHrA and
MaysAss, Norfolk "a. Sunday afternoon APT1 y,
1866, at 81 o'clock
Nearly all the seats being filled and the hour hay-
ing arrived the audience addressed by Capt B. fagg
in charge Of First District r. f. and A. L. He stated in
brief and eloquent the object OF the meeting 10 De-
that Gems sadman and Fullerton wish to converse with
the coored eemen and get their ideas concerning the wants
and necessities of the people relative to the Freedmens
Bureau in the South and also obtain from them their views as
to existing state and the best to adjust the
difficulties between the whites and blacks in the States lately
in rebellion Capt Fagg referred to the idea entertained by
some gentlemen that the agents OF the Bureau we're mere
sticks wood" and incapable Of rendering any assistance to
the coored freemen
Al the close OF his remarks he enoned that the coored
people work quietly orderly and ndustrousy to bring about
the desired results.
Gems Steadman and Fullerton arrived, accompanied by
Gen. O. Brown Capt c. Z. johnson and others, vino took
seats the platform.
Capt FLAeo then introduced Gems Steadman and Fullerton
The audience received them by rising on their feet.
Cen stated that his mission to converse with
them 10 the general feeling between the whites and
blacks this community and said that he with them In
an official capacity with Gen. Fullerton as Commissioner
sent by President johnson inquire into the affairs OF the
Freedmens Bureau the South and to obtain Information as
to the benefit derived from the Bureau by the people, he SAID
that he could talk all Of hem but If they would appoint
deeeaton that be would talk with them in behalf Of the
people.
Accordingly the following gentlemen were chosen SAID
delegation viz wm Keeling j. T. Wilson, j. G. SedeD A
A. Portlock, N. Barbour and James Bryant.
Mr. KEnNG-I hope the Freedmens Bureau VIII not Dc
abolished until law and order is restored here and to the
whole counry the Government to remove now while
we recognized men by the whites Of the SOUTH
would be leaving US the white Union at the mercy OF
the and still rampant Rebels and enemies Of the Gov
ernmcnt
Icm that 1t is unsafe abolish the Bureau until the Gov
eminent declares and have the enjoyment
| Of all our rights as American freenen.
II is unsafe the military forces until we are pat
| on an equality with oil other citizens
hope the Bureau win be allowed to remain until the laws
Of the State are modified and renoded that We can have
Justice before the civil eourtsso that we can choose our
rulerso that have to who shall receive the
taxes that pay support the State and Municipal Govern
ments.
The people OF the South must be taught that We are men Ike
unto themselves and that we must be respected as SUCH
The people Of the South be educated and instructed
TO the fundamental principles Of Government We will
assist to pay their education We have extended to them
the right Friendship and they have spurned with
scorn and contempt
We are quie. and orderly. and avaoding ciizers but
we wish to consulted the making Of the ls ns gov
|
We directly interested in all things the same as the
white man. We treat the whites az would have them
treat No. We respect them, and they must learn to do Ike
wise We do modest the whites but they continually
interfering with In many when we work for them
they will not pay labor until forced to do so by the
law end il the whites have voice in making the laws
they will not provide for those laws. Much prejudice
still exists against by the whites bat do not feel any
luminosity against them
We are willing of the past aud mite to harmonic
.of,e 10 the stau slFi Qf
right and justice.
II the Bureau must be removed let have good military
to supply its place
But the Bureau as it stands be supported protected
and assisted by the military.
To have peace have republican form Of govern
ment then. il have good officers we will have justice
before the Civil Courts OF the State.
It's very doubtful that white jury be found here that
will do us justice.
hope and pray that the Bureau may remain and be
rengthened and that peace may be soon restored.
j. T. WILSON, see no provision made by the Legislature OF
Virginia by which the blacks with the white ioyssts are
protected from the disloya whites.
The whites fear the military and believe judging the
future by the past that they will not give us Justice unless
forced TO do so by the military.
Give the black man voice the Government and
all safe Make him responsible citizenl mean give him
the use of the ballot the exercise Of this right freeman
the exercise of the rights as his oIeathers had IN
the formation Of the Government.
When We vote will then, and not until then, feel safe;
then we will feel have the age OF maturity
and that We are longer incapable of protecting ourselves
Gen SrHApMASfth laws Of Virginia duly executed.
would you not then have justice shown you,
Mr. WusoN-we have not yet seen these laws executed
ju',V
Gen srr.px,y-Do not the civil magistrates duly execute
these laws
Mr. wILsoS-They have not The laws Of Virgins do not
allow make contracts for term longer than two months
Cen srrApNAS-I am posted the laws Of Virginia
Are the whites more hostile the blacks than they were some
time previous.
Mr. wIsoS-They get every day, especially
since the passage OF the Civil Rights bill.
Gen SrEApxAX-Are there any local causes for this hos
tihty.
Mr. wilson, think the cause the existence Of rough
in the community
Gen SrgADAAS-Wsfe you ever Q slaves
Mr. wusoy-No Sir; was born free
Gen. srgApNAS TO Mr. Keiing) Were you slave,
Mr. KEuiyG-I was and bought myself for $3.50 aud paid
m hire of $40 per yoar allow soy just here that the
old white resident lawyers will act counsel:
beGoe the civil Courts they tell that get the
Yankee lawyers for They say that the Yankees
have freed Us and that must look to them plead
for Us.
Clr Keeling here cited two Instances 70 prove ,his)
| Gen SrEADNAS-Gye ms the names Of sone Of the old
white residents who known yoa to be Union and
are your friends,
Mr. wmsoS-Francis DE- Cordy. James II. Hall. r +.
scbliecker H. Sykes Dr. d. w Todd John H. Bcruin, W.
r. Jones and T. L. r. Baker Mr.. Gavin Pepper not an
old resident bat is from Now York; be Union mail aud
our friend.
Jos G. SEIDEs-I an a discharged seaman. and thank
God that helped to suppress the Rebellion know having