Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-06-26
RECONSTRUCTION In AR
KANSAS.
Speech of a COlOred Man at
the Late Citizens Meeting
at Helena.

--- - q =
Speech of a COlOred Man at
the Late Citizens Meeting
at Helena.
Editors Post I'm an editorial article
published in the Helena Clarion of the
10th, my remarks at the mass meeting
of the 28th, were characterized as
most incendiary speech" and also as o
''diabolical mulatto speech, in which
the passions and prejudices of his race
were appealed to, strikes encouraged,
and was in other respects mischieEous
IN its tendency" Will you permit me
through your columns to reply to these
charges by giving the substance of
what said on that occasion. -.
1t is well known by the citizens of
Helena, that was called for several
times before appeared on the stage.
l rose and said to the audience that ''I
would not attempt to make speech,
as I am a minister of the Gospel, and
have given most of my attention to re.
ligious instead of political affairs. If
the nation were sin-sick could tell
them what to do; repent, believe. and
70 PAA1C6y aAe b24Cy DC save
1 want to hear, first, of the rebellious
portion of these United States, that
they are sorry for the crimes they have
committed against the best government
ever instituted; second that they have
faith that such men as Charles Summer,
Thad. Stevens, Wilson, Kelley, and the
leaders of the Republican party, can
save them from their deplorable con-
dition if they win put their trust in
them; and, third, that they are willing
to be baptized into the Union-that is,
covered up in it all over, head and
ears; no sprinkling in the case.
This meeting gives US encourage |
ment to believe that Phillips county is |
alive to its interest in the reconstruction |
of the State. But, fellow-citizens, this |
is an important work in which the in |
terest of above four hundred thousand !
people are at stake, large portion of
whom mean my own raee) are al
most as helpless as women and children,
and need the protection of the law to
secure them in any of their rights.-t
Then, with this great issue at stake, to
whom shall the work of reconstruction
be committed? This, Mr.. Chairman,
is the great question at issue, and my
opinion is, that the speakers of the day
are too mealy-mouthed on this subject.
They speak as though they had their
mouths full of hot mush. My honest
conviction is, thatthe men who fought,
bled-yes, and with their great leader,
Abraham Lincoln, DIED to save the ma
ton from disgrace and ruin, are the
men to reconstruct Arkansas.
at is not enough that man should
be simply q Union man, since even
those who were formerly rebels are now
Union men. Our condition calls for
the best material of the Black Repub-
lican party to advocate our cause, and
to secure our rights. Why, then,
should Union men be silent when such
as those introduced by the
party of this city, at their
meeting May %, are pending adoption
oy this meeting?
Mr.. Chairman, find the Republican
party advocating those principles of {
universal suffrage, and education for 1
which my heart, as q black man, has 6
10 long been painting, therefore l will {
sal upon my people to sustain that |
party just as far as your influence ex-
ENDS. We, as people, are, l believe, c
ust as firmly fixed upon the Republi- I
;an form of government as the Pilgrim l
Fathers were upon the rock of PIym- c
,uth IN the days of DID, War made q
riends will not do to trust, with so {
yreat cause at stake. 1t is an newt q
Ible rule of human nature, TO trust
nen just SO far as they prove them G
elves worthy. The old Ship of State t
5 anchored hard by the shore of old 2
Arkansas, and the reason she does not
all is because we cannot find true blue t
men at the helm. g. - e ta.l o
again, Mr.. Chairman, l am under i
he honest conviction that the world l
8 looking down upon the colored peo- g
Die OF this country to see to what use q
hey will put their liberty; and if we g
upport our former masters in a con- v
ervatiye course, we will, believe, for J.
cit our right to freedom. Then, with q
he watchword, ''Who is my friend 2" 81
ct US turn our eye to the flag of our v
lniOn. One of my friends bishop II
has said, Give US an equal u
hance in the race of life, and we will Il
'e content" But my honest eonYic- d
ion is, that we ought to have a LITTLE c.
he advantage, for you have held US a
ack for two hundred years in this race. b
'ut, above all things, deal with US hon. "
silly, for the great mass Of our people n
an neither read nor write. The negro 81
ignorant but, thank God he will b
OF have to answer for that; but the Il
urse, if curse it be, will fall upon your OF
wn heads. b.
"When you hire US, pay US what you = =;
romise and not try to seek the ad- q!
antage of our ignorance for Just so III
ertain as you live, if you swindle one
Olored man out of one or two hundred y,
ollars this year, you cannot get him - -
} work for you next year, and 1 will ~
OF blame him. We must learn to do -
ke the Irish-iStrike if you will not N N
sy US. If you do not deal right with "
;, in few years your cotton fields nf f
i'll become wilderness inhabited by -
lid beasts. This say in a whisper -
ut l would to God my voice were loud -, -
lough to be heard by the nations ~ ~
"" co
Ny remarks being extemporaneous, a.
can not give my precise words, but - ~
ave reported it as nearly correct as -
'ssible to do for memory. Tony sur. y ~
Use, the next day after the meeting
tried Union man presented me with 10 10
,ty dollars for expressing his senti- ne ne
ents. Yours respectfully, tprC
-u ]. I. WHITE. ar
Fan