The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-10-05
The 8rdfora 6azette.
M IS EG EN- NATION!
Negro Suffrage and Negro E.
quality Fairly and Flatly En-
d0rSed.
SPEECH OF JOEES HICKMAN AT WEST
CfE ESTER.
WEST CHESTER, Sept. a. 1866.


the regular County Mass Meeting. 1t
was addressed by Curtin and Geary
was smaller than usual, and devoid of
enthusiasm. The latter. was ostensibly
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 (color-
ed, of Washington, d. c., and the
Hon. John Hickman lwhitel. 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 were several thousand present.
The parade was then formed and. head
ed by c0l0red brass band from Phil
adelphia, marched through the princi-
pal streets Of the borough, and out to
the Agricultural Fair Grounds. Along
the march handkerchiefs were waved
and cheers given by many of our aChite
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 Emanci-
patton Proclamation was then read,
and after the singing of "John Browns
Soul is Marching On" by the colored
population, the Rev. Highland Garnett
was introduced as orator for the occa-
sion. He 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 tOthe right0f suffrage, and warn
ed the whites to beware, should they
stand intheir way of obtaining it. Af-
ter abusing the copperheads and rebels,
he wound up with a glowing descrip-
ton 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 subsidized and
the band having played "Rally Round
the Flag" the Hon. John Hickmauap-
peared upon the platform, surrounded
by negroes, and was introduced as the
next speaker. The following is the
substance Of his speech;
Mr.. CHIRAGAN: 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. would
like to cali you 'JchOJc-citize7S,o but
the Supreme Court has said that you
are not citizens. | should like to call
you tcY0c-UOtcrs, 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, l believe, is no longer ques
toned; it is now conceded by every
one that you beIongto the human fam
lily. And, haditn0t been that Andrew
Johnson is controlled by bad and wick
ed counseliors, you would to-day en-
JOY the right Of suffrage to which you
are entitled. | am i'll 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
decreed that justice must be done to all
men. Many of the coIored people
here before me have a better right to
vote than | have; for have but given
of my money to sustain the govern
mcnt, whilst they pcriled 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 1t.
Stand up brother Garnett. Brother
G. stood up amid greatapplause. Show
me where there is any trace Of white
blood in him, (patting brother q. on
the shoulder There is none; he Is a
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 lrar comes, you actH be
cailed upon 10 .fgbt, and mark me! y
then you do not obtain your right to rote,
IpiU ncre,' again exercise mime.
But | did not come here to make a
speech: | came here to show you that
| am in favor Of equality before the
law. and | now boldly declare that |
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