The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-07-17

w. L. Sims, Union.
J. NJ. Allen, Grcenville.
Remarks of Rev. B. f. Randolph.
The following are the remarks de-
livered at the celebration of the
Fourth of July, in Columbia, by
Rev. B. F. Randolph, and published
by order of Council No. 10 L. l.. A.
S. B. THOMPSON, Pres't.
P. T. ToLAND, Secretary.
My FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS: (:
In days and times that are past and
gone, L have seen the Fourth of July
welcomed and celebrated only by the
white people of the country. My
ears have been deafened by the roar
of cannon, my eyes have been daz-
zled by the brilliant and glittering
array of civil and military associa-
tions, and 1 have seen all eager lis
teners to their orators. But / am
glad to know and sec that the colored
people, as we'll as the white people,
of this country, can now, with rs
much propriety, come with beautiful
array, and patriotism yelling up in
their hearts, and celebrate this day.
Colored men did much to secure
American Independence. They fought
in both the war of the revolution and
the war of 1912, and they have done
much to preserve this day. In order
to convince you that it was the intcn-
ton of the forefathcrs that colored
men should enjoy here their liberty,
and in order that you and others may
feel that it is not mere assumption on
the part Of colored men to call this
Atheir country, and even to como and
rejoice over our national independ-
ence, and celebrate this day, let me
read to you the words of the leading
men who drafted the Declaration of
Independence, and some of whom
are the signers of the Constitution.
Said Benjamin Franklin, the greatest
philosopher that the world has ever
known:
'Were not the disadvantages of
slavery too obvious to stand in need
of it, l might enumorate and describe
the numerous train of calamities in
separablc from it. L might show
that it is fatal to religion and morali-
ty; that it tends to corrupt the noblest
springs of action and debase the
mind. [ might show that it relaxes
the sinews of industry and clips the
wings of commerce, and works mi
sery and indigencein in every shape. -
Ham,iNon's Works, VOL Q, pp. 80.
The distinguished Mr.. Gouverneur
Morris, of Pennsylvania, said:
HE never would concur in up
holding domestic slavery. It was a
nefarions institution. 1t was the
curse of Heaven on the States where
it prevailed. The admission of
slavery into representation, when
talrly explained, comes to this-that
the lnhabitant of South Carolina or
Georgia who goes to the coast of
Africa, and, in defiance of the most
sacred laws of humanity, tears away
his fellow-creatures from their dear
est connexions, and damns them to
the most cruel bondage, shall have
more votes, in a government insti-
tuted Tor the protection of the riqhks
Of monhind, than The citizen from
Pennsylvania or New JERSEY, who
views, with n laudable horror. SO ne
tarious practice. He would rather
submit himself to a tax to pay for all
the negroes than saddle posterity
with such Constitution II Deboie
on Stare Representation in he Cdnren-
ioa-0laison Papers.
quote the following from Patricl,
Henry, the greatest of American ora
tors IN his day. When the bill was
pending, which became law. to
raise colored troops for the revolu.
tion, lie said:
May not Congress enact that every
black man may fight? Did we not
see n little of this in the last war?
We were not so hard pushed us to
make emancipation general; but Acts
OF Assembly passed that every slave
who would go to the army should be
free. Another thing will contribute
to bring this event about. Slavery
is detested. We feel its fatal effects.
We deplore it with all the pity of bu-