The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-10-05
Chr 8eafora 6azette.
MISCEG EN- ALTON!
Negro Suffrage and Negro E.
quality Fairly and Flatly En-
dorSed.
Si'EECE GF JOHN HICKMAN AT WEST
CKsEsSTER.

West Chester were treated to two Gea-
ry meetings, one upon Wednesday by
thequasi-White wingof the Republican
party, and the other upon Saturday by
the ultra-black wing. The former was
the regular County Mass Meeting. It
was addressed by Curtin and Gearv !:
was smaller than usual, aud devoid Of
enthusiasm. Tie latter Was ostensihly
called for the purpose of celebrating
the anniversary Of the emancipation
proclamation, but really to impress up
on the negroes that they are entitled to
political and social equality, and that
they must obtain it, even at the point
of the bayonet.
1t Is this latter meeting, addressed
by the Rev. Highland Garnett lcolor-
edl, of Washington, d. c., and the
Hon. John Hickman white, Of this
place, Of which / desire To give YOU an
account.
Early on Saturday morning. "the
free Americans Of African descent be-
gan to flock into town, and by noon
there We're several thousand present.
The parade was then formed and. head
ed by colored brass band from Phil
adelphia, marched through the princi-
pal streets of tho borough, and out to
the Agricultural FAIRGROUNDS. Along
the march handkerchief5 were waved
and cheers given by many of our ,rHHe
citizens, persons who make great pre-
tensions TO respectability and good
standing in this community. After
reaching the fair grounds the meeting
was organized by calling oneof our ne
gro BARRIERS to the chair. The Fmanci-
patton Proclamation was then read.
and afterthe singing Of John Browns
Soul is Marching On" by the colored
population, the Rev Highland Garnett
was introduced as orator for the occa-
sion. lie denounced President John
son in unmeasured terms, intimating
in his address that he should like to
see him assassinated. He told the ne
groes that they deserved and were en-
titled to the rightof suffrage, and warn
ed the whites to beware, should they
stand in their way Of obtaining it. At
ter abusing the copperheads and rebels,
he wound up with a glowing descrip-
tion of how the negroes, provided the
right of suffrage should be given them,
would rush to the field of battle, should
there be another war, and ask that the
Stars and Stripes should be their win
ding sheets.
The applause having subsided and
the band having played Orally Round
the Flag" the Hon. John Hicbmanap-
peared upon the platform, surrounded
by negroes, and was introduced as the
next speaker. The following is the
substance of his speech:
Mr.. CHIRMAN: | have been asked
why am here to-day, and propose to
answer that question by saying that
am here because [ want to be. ! am
here to lend you my countenance on
this occasion, and to say word in be-
halfof your right TO suffrage. Iwould
like to call you 'Jellow-caizeaS," but
the Supreme Court has said that you
are not citizens. | should like to call
you fcllor-r0ters, but, as yet, the law
will Lot permit me to. If, however, [
were a young man Of twenty, | believe
! should live to see you enjoy the right
of suffrage. In times gone by it was
customary to question your humanity,
but that, believe, is no longer queS-
toned: it is now conceded by every
one that you belOngto the human fam
iIv. And, ha| it not been that Andrew
johnson is cont rolled by bad and wick
ed counsellors, you would to-day en-
Joy the right Of suffrage to which you
are entitled. | am in favor Of giving
equal and impartial suffrage to the ne
gro, because he is entitled to it, and be-
cause / believe that God Almighty has
dccreed that Justice must be done to all
men. Many of the c0lored people
here before me have Il better right to
vote than I have; for have but given
of my money to sustain the govern
ment, whilst they periIed their lives to
protect it.
If the Irishman is entitled to vote af-
ter five years residence in the coun-
try, why should not the negro, who has
lived here all his life? 1t is said he is
not intelligent enough. | say that if
the Irishman is intelligent enough, so
is my friend Mr.. Garnett. If am in
telligent enough to vote, then so is Mr..
Garnett, for he is my equal. 1t has
been customary to say that the negro
who has intelligence derives it from the
white blood in his veins. / deny it.
Stand up brother Garnett. Brother
q. stood pamid greatapplause.I Show
me where there IS any trace OF white
blood in him, lpatting brother G. on
the shoulder.) There is none; he is
genuine negro. 1t has taken four years
of bloody war to destroy the body Of
slavery, and it will take four years
more Of war to destroy the spirit of sla-
very. When that tcar comes, y0n toiH be
colled upon to .jigit, and mark me! y
Hen you DO not obfaia your right to rote,
IlriN nerlL, nnllin erlTcisa MiLlc.