The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-07-11
SPEECH OF Hon. B. F. MOORE,
TO the Colored People Of Raleigh and eicinits
doIinorod T,,I,, dth 1904

AAOAs'
TO the Colorsd People Of Raleigh and sicinity,
delicered July 4ta, 1868.
MY CoLoRED CoUNTRYMEN IL have re-
ceived your invitation to address you on this
day-the Fourth day of July, 1856.
This day is the second Fourth of July
which ever shone on your emancipation
And though it was effected through most
terrible shock of arms, and gave you liberty
on sudden, take pleasure in bearing wit
ness TO your general good behavior both du-
ring the war and on the great event of your
emancipation. say good behavior, with
reference to the extraordinary circumstances
claimed. And am glad also to hear that
many of you are engaged in industrious pur-
suits throughout the South.
Although you have assembled to celebrate
the Fourth day of July, 1 shall not entertain
you with recital of the causes which led to
the grand event which has made that day
immortal. The revolution, however, was
undertaken to separate nations and not to
emancipate slavery. Besides, it would be
very inappropriate, on this day and before
you, to deal harshly with Great Britain for
that great country freely emancipated all her
slaves thirty years ago-I shall address you
on matters which more practically concern
you.
The change in the condition of yourselves
and your former masters both, is radical
and the danger is, that, like all radical
changes, it may be injurious if not destruc-
tive to both Let us both, then, he warned
by the examples of the past Let US survey
our respective conditions: the white man
now is the owner of the land and other pro-
perty of the country, and MUST still continue
the owner till he may consent to dispose oft.
1t is admitted that now the war has closed
no power can change the rights of property.
The proprietor whether white or black
must be protected in his acquisitions, and
every laborer must be allowed to acquire
and hold, under one common safe guard
the law of the land This privilege belongs
to every class of men within the State, and
embraces you as fully as myself: Industry,
therefore, among the citizens of this State,
is the only known road to the acquisition of
property. And to every man among you the
road is open and inviting. When the early
settlers of the country came here they had
no property, except their industry and will
ingness to work. The resolute heart and
uduSi ibfO up
cities, and they Can do as much for you in
the course of time. Despair not, but do not
think that you can rise from obscurity and
poverty, and overtake at once the consolida-
ted wealth of hard industry, which has been
accumulating and concentrating for ages.
Your position, as was that of our white
fathers, is to rise by degrees and by the
sweat of your brow There was, for our
torefathers, and there is for you, no other
path to respectfully and independence than
that of labor.
If you have ever been blinded by the op-
preston of servitude, you are not so now
Any one of you may see whether there is any
thriving white man in your midst, who
prospers without labor.
Labor is the foundation of all wealth and
honesty. A laboring man lives on the fruits
of his industry, and is very rarely known to
steal; therefore a laboring man becomes an
honest man. The idle alone become thieves.
Now, it is the first duty of the white man
to encourage you to industry by employing
and giving you fair wages, and paying you
according to contract. And it is equally
your duty to perform your contract. One
bad example, on either side, will create dis
trust and idleness in multitude. Let each,
therefore, beware that he be not the offender.
Do not. for moment, suppose, that you
can live without labor Every man has been
doomed ky Heaven to get his bread by the
sweat of his brow. 1t is the fate of man.
Do not aspire to political privileges before
YOU are versed in the Constitution.and laws
of your Government Those even can hardly
maintain them. who are both educated and
conversant with them.
Labor is primary necessity; education
is its best friend and assistant. l am pleas
ed to see that many of you duly appreciate
the advantages of education, and from what
1 have observed, your race, appears to be
delighted at the opportunity afforded for
mental improvement.
In few years hope to see you duly esti-
mating the great advantages Of the culture
of the mind, as well as that of the earth.
The Courts of justice are now as open to
you as to the whites. Remember to cultivate
the virtue ftruth. The vice offalsehood does
not belong peculiarly to any race. 1t is not
a native vice, but vice of habit. Races,
white and black, have occasionally. been ad-
dicted to 1t. 1t springs peculiarly out OF
slavery, and should be crushed with that
No people can become truthful, who are &C
customed to do unlawful acts, or will avoid
their bargains. 1t should be the duty OF
those around you, who have good characters,
to use their best influence over all Others. Set
the example yourselves. and in time its effects
will be visible over all your race. And now,
in conclusion, let me remind you that new
era has opened on both races.
Each must be kind and honest towards the
other, else both must suffer. and one or the
other eventually pass away.
Providence, in its wisdom, in ages past
transplanted you as slaves from land OF
heather barbarism, into land of civilization
and christianity. After centuries of servi
tude, it has rendered. you liberty. l pray
Heaven to teach you how to secure the bles
sings of its priceless gift.
A SUeeEsrIoN.-One of our most benevo
lent and patriotic citizens suggests the ap
pointnent of committee for the collection
| of contributors to erect monument to the