The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-23
AMERICAN FREEDMENs UNION oO&Mls-
SION, Pennsylvania BRANCH.

A meeting of this Association was held last
aight at the Academy of Music. very large
and apPTeciative audience was present. The
parquel, dress circles, and stage were all
allied, and during the addresses that were de-
liyered there was exhibited an unusual amount
OF enthusiasm. The first speaker was the Pre-
sdent Of the Commission,
CHIEP JUSTICE SALMON P. CHASE.
My FRIRNDs:-This is meeting of the Penn
sylvania branch of the American Freedmen's
Union Commission; bat rs President of the
Commissio it is my duty, as 1t Is my plea
sure to take the chair. Builders OF Common
wealths are ever held in honor among men, Not
less honor belongs to the rest0rers of Common
wealths and the object of this association is to
build up, TO strengthen to elevate, TO perfect all
it's work as work of advancement. There is no
interest in the land which can in any way be
hindered or injured by the work of this Com
mission. There Is no interest in the land which
will not be promoted and aided by its work.
Some years ago, when 1t was my fortune TO fill
one of the departments of the Federal Govern
ment, and Immediately after, or very soon after
the capture of the forts at the entrance of Port
Royal, learning that there was a large amount
OF abandoned cotton upon the island, selected
an officer OF the army as an agent of the Trea-
sury Department to proceed to the island and
collect it.
The reports which reached me satisfied me
that II was necessary not merely to collect what
had already been raised, but provide in some
way for the welfare of the laboTers, and for the
culture of the land. No provision had then been
made by Congress upon the subject; but selected
an agent OF the department and sent him
there, and directed him to make report. That
agent was a very intelligent gentleman-Mr.
Pierce, of Massachusetts,, of whom, doubtless,
you have heard. He performed his duty, and
performed it well. Another gentleman, Rev.
DR.. French, proceeded to the same field, and
their reports induced me to say to them that if
they would appeal to the voluntary benevolence
of the loyal States, and send teachers and
preachers that would use the influence of the
War Department to induce them to furnish
ratioDs and shelter and transportation. They
appealed Immediately to the benevolence, the
public spirit and wisdom of the North, and the
result was, in this city, New York, Boston, and
elsewhere, organization.
The War Department, then under the charge
of an honored citizen OF this State Simon
Cameron) furnished that which was requested
of them according to the understanding; aud
thus began, in the Sea Islands of South Carolina,
the work which has ever since been going on.
Some months later-perhaps year later-the
work which could not be very well attended to
by the Treasury Department was transferred to
the War Department, then under the charge of
its present distinguished head, Secretary Stanton.
That gentleman entered into the whole idea with
interest and zeal, and the WORK proceeded until
Congress took the matter up, and through the
efforts of distinguished and honored friend of
Massachusetts (Mr. Eliot, of New Bedford
the Freedman's Bureau bill was ultimately
passed. and the Freedmans Bureau was orga-
nzed. Thus you see the origin OF this work.
The voluntary associations which were formed
in the different cities of the North form the
American Freedman's Union Commission. The
governmental part OF the work was placed in
the charge of the Freedman's Bureau, which
has been armed with adequate powers by Con-
gress, and is now under the charge OF my
honored friend, General Howard, illustrious IN
peace as he has been brave and honored in war.
This commission is ready to cooperate III every
way with this governmental agency.
One of the most interesting facts of this work
is in the fact that the idea is realized in it, The
people throughout the country acted voluntarily
in their associations. You have come here to-
night as men and women interested in the great
public WORK, and you act in cooperation with
the Government, acting III its sphere with en-
ergy and efficiency, and | trust with the best
results. All who choose to comment and CEN
sure may comment and censure. what are we
doing We are endeavorlng to carry forward a
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 VINO Is
willing TO receive them. Our labors are par
ticularly directed to the education OF our eman
cipated countrymen, who need 1t the most
What will be the result II this work goes on, up
held blythe broad arms and by the warm aspira
tions of generous people
Education will be dltfused through all the
South, and every man who has part to perform
in the labor of the South will be made twice tut
man that he was before. Is there any harm IL
that? Is there not great good in 1t? Is no
the educated laborer, the skilled laborer, twice
thrice, and even ten times as valuable TO TN
community as the uneducated and the un
skilled? II education Can be dtfused throug h
out those masses, prosperity and peace, with al
their blessings will come upon the whole land
Let us go on with this work. Let us hail every
thing that aids and encourages the settlemen
of all difficult questions which now perpleX tn
country.
The President of the United States offered t
the South his terms of reorganization and read
mission to participation in the political powe
: of the country. The Congress of the Unite
States has offered its terms, and will take tn
liberty here to say that think more generous
a more magnanimous proposition was neve
submitted to people who have been in rebe
lion than the amendment which has been pre-
posed by Congress. (Applause.)
II those communities who have been in re0e
hon against the Government have anything
propose-if they think there is better mode,
more generous MODE, better calculated to secul
the peace and harmony, and prosperity of tn
great land let them come forward ana propos
1t, and the people will listen and Judge In tn
country it IS, thank God, the people who llste
and Judge every proposition which is submitted
(Applause.) Ihope for the best. know wht
nation OF passion and prejudice Is; 1t Is VloleI
and unreasonable, butt is translent-lt speedl
passes away.
Everything connected with this great que
ton of restoration should be calmly considered
and | trust that the people will never consent
any arrangement which does not insure the Pc
manent peace, tranquility, union, and prosperit
of this land. (Applause.) This is all, N
fellow citizens and friends, that think is nece
sary to say this evening. j could not say les
and misunderstood. (Long continued a
plause.)
There are three things which the South nee
to-day. First educatiOn; second, polltlcal l
construction; and third, pure religion: In
which is fundamental and essential to all the
is popular education. The South always III
ahnr Rtt Nuh fp naaAnd tc educational