The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-02-15
THE AFRICAN MEETING.
Speeches of Gov. Orr and Gen. Scott.

Speeches of Gov. Orr and Gen. Scott,
According to previous announcement, meeting
took place last night at the African Methodist
Church, in Calhoun street (Rev. Mr. Cain's)
Long before the hour appointed, the house, al
though large, was crowded with freedmen. Every
available inch OF space was occupied. Hearing
public speakers is still novelty with our colored
citizens, and they accordingly turn out en- neasSe
on the least proyocation, where there is any
chance Of a speech, sermon, lecture, address, or
harangue Of any description.
There were in the front seats, also, o number OF
white persons, mostly Northerners, who doubtless
took this method to testify their respect to the
Governor Of the State, whose speech, as was un-
derstood, was to be the chief feature Of the even-
ing.
At quarter before o'clock Generals ROBERT
SON and ScoTT entered the church, and were vel
coined with much applause. A few minutes
afterward Governor Orr made his appearance, and
was similarly cheered.
The meeting was opened with prayer by color
ed preacher named Everitt
| Parson FRENCH next explained the object of the
meeting, viz: That the Governor of South Caro-
Lima was to address the colored people this even
ing-that at some time during the evening col
lection should be taken up to defray the expenses
Of the church, etc., etc.
Gov. ORB and Gen. SooTT then assembled the
stage or pulpit, and after being duly introduced
by the Chairman Rev. Charles Smalls, q coiored
preacher, Gov. ORR said that year ago, when
passing through this city, he was called on by
some colored men and asked to address their peo-
pie. he declined doing 80 then for reasons he
deemed sufficient at that time. But having again
been invited to do 80, he now availed himself Of
the opportunity, and did so with great deal OF
pleasure. He told them that this was not the first
occasion since the great change in the social status
of the colored people that he had availed himsek
Of the opportunity Of talking to them; on the con-
trary, he had done 10 frequently, and, as he be-.
Ieved such addresses had resulted benefcally both
to the white people anC the colored. Wehave, each
Of Us, high and important duties to perform in our
several stations, which we should strive to fulfil
as men and as Christians. The new relation in
which the colored people find themselves by. the
upon them. The change in their status has been
most extraordinary one. Two years ago they
had no command over the results of their labor;
nor, on the other hand had they any serious wants
or cares Their wants were supplied, for most of
them at least, kindly and considerably.
is human nature everywhere-who were not
thus kindly cared for. Now, however, ne said,
they stood IN position where they had to think,
to act, to care and conGive for themselves
Those Of them who have enjoyed the advantages
Of education-who have lived in the city, and have
been surrounded by intelligent society-are able,
In measure, to aot for themselves, and are now IN
less dependent position than the great majority
Nof their race who have not enjoyed such adyant-
ages. Where this intelligence does not prevail, we
find collisions, sufferi 6, and, not unfrequently,
crime. But it is due 20 the colored people, and
due to truth and Justice, that We should say that
the great bulk OF the coored people OF South Caro-,
themselves with great propriety. IlnfoM5spnately M
fbandmal, when the result Of the years labor was
Sgathered, found little in his storehouse; little in
This granary, and little under his cotton shed. A
great many freedmen hence were thrown out Of
Employment, not from any fault Of planter or la
borer, but solely from inability on the part OF the
white man to meet the wants Of the latter. 4
great many freedmen have left the State.
The Governor remarked that he saw wagon
after wagon leaye different parts Of the State,
embarkihg for distant homes, and that he
sires sire that they should remain here. t is to
the interest OF the people Of South Carolina, he
said and it is to your interest," that you should re-
main here. True, you Can go where yonr labor
will be more remunratve, where you WI Wlu oesteg d
against delusive hopes and that you listen not
to designing persons, and 60 on o mere chance:
You are now thrown on your own resources. You
have no capital houses Or lands BHt there are plen
all these, there ia decree Of High Heaven that
Won should labor for it is written, BY the sweat OF
thy brow shalt thoE eat bread. Hence, II you have
land you may labor perhaps more successfully, you
may possibly secure the means 70 enable @ you 70
the world over between the man who has capital
and the man who has not. A father, by industry,
economy, and prudence, may accumulate some
substance, and give hls children sumcienty witn
often thought it doubtful linaness to place any
one beyond the necessity Of set.relanOe- above
the cor non lot of labor
In tie main, where contracts were made with
The the sS % rs s been bns 5 a
cause tor complaint and he hoped that this year
il will be still better, when both races have the
benefit OF additional experience, he had no doubt
that many Of the freedmen desired houses, Little
needed but thrift and economy, and ali these would
in time be theirs. Just 30 certain as they would
practice these virtues, these comforts would sur
round them.
In their new relations to society, he continued,
it became their duty, when they saw either man
ments Of Law, divine or human, to discountenance
such conduct and see that they are punished for
their nisdoings. II they gave encouragement,
counse1ance, Or support TO such persons, they
would would so Ss asss a.be By dong Of sv is s
their children. Therefore, by al means, let the
law be vindicated. It may be harsh, it may be un-
just; If so, represent it to your awgiyers, and it
will ere1ong be temedied.
the protection Of property. These privileges have
in 8 large measure already been accorded to the
colored people by the Legislature of South Carroll
ma. Three years ago they were altogether exclud-
om ong asses on st
own race or color, but likewise in all others. The
Legislature has provided that they shall be pro-
tecfed from violence, either from white persons or
colored In some localities it is true, the Govern
committed !; but as the Chief Executive Of the
State hewas in position to say that, as a whole,
the population Of South Carolina, 700 900 people,
compared very fayorably with any other eommuni.
ty Of the same extent. In no part of the United
large; and although this may not all be true OF
some localities Of the State, he told them that
even in all these localities there is q growing dis
position among the white men to give to the negro
AS the Executive Of the State, it becomes him to
see that no violence, no outrage, no injustice of
any kind is perpetrated on the freedman; to pre-
vent unjust conviction and unjust punishment;
that he had already had occasion to interpose bis
official shield, to protect the colored man from the
acts Of eviI-disposed white men.
Their great duty, the Governor continued, was
to work, to practice economy, to be respectful,
honest and truthful; to do their duty to God, who
rules the universe. By doing 80 they will reach a
degree Of elevation never yet reached anywhere by
their race.
They wanted schools-they wanted education.
At the next session Of the Legislature il there
present auspices, it was his design to recommend
system Of common schools for both races; both
should be taxed for this purpose, and whatever Of
taxation is collected from the black shall be de-
the white for his. It is a mistake be said, to