The Portland daily press., 1866-02-02
Speech of Gen. Hoscard.

DosToN, Feb. 1.
The lecture of Maj. Gen. o. O. Howard, in
Music Hall this evening, delivered under the
auspices of the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation, was attended by a large and apprecia-
tive audience. Gov. Bullock presided, and in
troduced the General in his usual ELOQUENT
style. Gen. Howard was received with pro-
longed enthusiasm and cheers. He said we
had a difficult problem to solve We had the
examples OF England and France before us:
but our situation differed from theirs mas
much as we had given new birth to freedom
under the worst auspices. The South were
conquered, but they let slavery 60 piece by
piece, and as general rule, would not give It
up till forced to do it by liberty ITSELF The
question in their minds was, how to keep the
negroes down and prevent them from assum-
ing their rights. The opinions of prejudiced
minds were then reviewed. There was a
thinking class in the South who believed the
freedmen should be educated, and another
class OF higher culture, not large one, how
ever, VINO had changed their views and now
advocated free labor. Time and patience was
required to improve the negroes and correct
wrong impressions. Slavery was nominally
dead, and we should so regulate our public az
fairs that the inalienable rights "Life, liberty
and the pursuits OF happiness" might be Sc
cured to all. The condition of the South at
the time of the formation of the freedmen's
bureau was then considered the state of chaos
into which the people and their affairs were
thrown. 1t we could hold a steady hand and
have the necessary help, there would be no
need or a government agency at the South in
five years, than there is now need of one in
Ohio. The demand for capital and labor in
the South was increasing. Everything was
springing into new life. The majority Of the
negroes were at work, one year would present
j a hQff0r nd Hxya, A.
material road to prosperity. 1t was disputed
in many circles, but education was absolutely
necessary to fit the negro for their duties,
and the hostility to the teachers in the South
would be but temporary. There were 10000
free colored children attending school, besides
many not reported. In addressing the color
ed people he had always commenced by telling
them they were free, and their joy was indis-
cribable. In the United States he did not be-
lieve there was a plantation where a portion
could not read and the masses were eager for
instruction.
Our hope rested in great degree upon the
negroes. The Northern associations, the in
fux of Northern men in the South, combined
with the efforts of the freedmen, would assist
greatly in adjusting this matter Education
was the vital element needed. The appropri-
alton of 100000 recommended to Congress,
1t we could get 1t. would be strong foothold
u would DE indeed wonderful, ii, under exist
ing circumstances the cry OF suffering from
the South was not heard. We should exercise
kindness, sympathy and iberality towards the
Southern people, and be magnanimous toward
the whole South without distinction of race or
color.
He had not lost sight of our brave dead, the
treatment of our prisoners, or the death OF
Lincoln. But these had been caused by slay-
cry. 1t was the purpose of our President,
Congress and the Supreme Court to do right,
and he recognized divine power in our past
moments that was still guiding us. He closed
with strong argument in favor of giving the
negroes all the rights of freedmen, and urged
all to do their duty. He also made statements
to show that he had not exaggerated the wants
of the freedmen in his report to the Govern
ment. His remarks were frequently and heart
lily applauded, and he received unanimous
vote OF thanks. a0