The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-08
Conservative Meeting in Tennessee,

The Nashville Dispatch contains the proceedings O
recent meeting of whites and blacks in that city
The meeting addressed by white and black men
The Dispatch SAYS:
After the conclusion Of Judge Whitworh's speech
loud calls were made for Joseph Williams who came
forward to the stand amid the cheers and applause OF
the multitude. He commenced by saying You have
gwen ne the right to call you fellow citizens. We
live in distracted country desolated by one of the
most sangunary wars Of history growing out of the
question Of slavery The is aud peace reigns
throughout the land. Slavery has been abolished by
the s"f rd and its abolition has been made part Of
the organic law of the land. do not blame any man
.or having owned slaves The Southerncr who owned
slaves was not to blame for it, as the government of
his country recognised his right to them as property
The constitution, which the great leaders gave as the
model OF good government, gave any the right to
own slaves. But the war has settled this question for
ever. have no fear has any sensible man fear
that any effort will ever be made to restore slavery
l see no reason why colored men should not belong
to the various political parties without being called
rebels or copperheads We know the political record
of those now in power here and when the proper time
comes we intend to unmask them to the gaze of be-
rayed people 1t is best to unite with those who were
ou" iorme: oppressors They acting in obedience
to law in keeping US in bondage, and they are now
just ready to obey the law which has stricken the
yoke from our necks. There cause for strife be-
tween white and black. They propose to give us all
the rights guaranteed by the organic law of the land
Why should we split up? What are we, my colored
friends? We have been made poor and destitute by
the curse of slavery. We cannot prosper without we
stand by our white friends. They have the land and
wealth, and do for than the stranger who
has come among They want our labor and we
want their money. Their interest is our interest The
ore is necessary to the other. To-day opens new
and brighter era i'll the Southern States. The great
honor OF being recognised political equality is to-
day accorded us. 1t is highly appropriate that it
should come here in this land where slavery was once
cherished. The true men of the North are with YOU
heart and soul. The New York Tribune heartily en-
dorses the meeting at Columbia This meeting is on
the same basis.
If you and cannot live here together, what will
become OF us? We must be political family
All we ask is for you to sustain in our rights am
ready to sacrifice my life to yiudicate your rights The
Radicals tell us that they are friends because they
liberated US. Emancipation the result of the war
but was not thought of till the republic was in its
death throe and then the shackles were stricken from
our limbs not to benefit but to weaken the rebels
II the rebellion could have been crushed without Civ
ing freedom to the blacks, would to day have been
slaves. The best thing for all is to cultivate good
feelings towards white friends aud 90 with them
to the polls and vote with them against those who are
rushing our Government fast as possible to destruc-
lion. [ endorse heartily the speech of Judge Went
WORTH who has just preceded NE. Accept my thanks
or the honor you have conferred on me by inviting
ne to address you.