Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-03-27
THE OOLORED MEETING IN CO.
LUMBIA, s. O.
Speeches OF Wade Hampton, Hon
w. +. Desaussuro. Hon. u. ].
Arthur, and Others.

lumOiht oouth OhIoinai rum tno "'N"sA
of that city, Of the 10Th instant:
In pursuance Of notice published Ia
Sundays PhGRir, the colored citizens oil
the district assembled in large numbers
at the African Methodist Episcopal
church, yesterday morning at 3 o'clock,
and after forming procession OF their
various societies, marched through the
principal streets, headed by band Of
music, to the vacant square on Plain
street, just beyond Nickerson's Hotel,
where addresses were delivered by Gen.
Wade Hampton, w. +. DeSaussure, Col.
VIM. II. Talley, L. ]. Arthur and James
G. Gibbes (who had been specially in
vited by the committee TO address the
colored peopla), and Beverly Nash and
Rev. ID. Pickett (freedmen).
The proceedings we're opened with
prayer by the Rev. Simon Miller Greed
mani.
SPEECH or WADE HAMPTON (wHITE).
General Hampton spoke Of the vast
Importance of the present movement,
not only TO the colored, but to the white
man. He advised the freedmen TO give
their friends at the South fair trial,
aud if they we're found wanting, it was
then time enough to 20 abroad for sym
patty. II was TO their interest TO build
up the South, for as tho country pros
pered, so would they prosper. The
present state of affairs was not brought
about by the action of the Southern
people, white or black; therefore, neither
was responsible for it.
SPEECH OF HON. y. J. ARTHUR, (wHITE.)
Hon. L. j. Arthur said he was unable
to deliver lengthy address, as he was
not prepared for such an undertaking.
He was surprised at being called on for
a speech, and could only give few
words of counsel. The occasion Of this
celebration is one in which you have had
no agency. 1t is not the act of the white
men of your country. 1t has been con-
ferred upon you by the Northern Con-
press, and he hoped it would be the
means of enlightening and improving
their mental and moral condition. He,
in conjunction with the white citizens of
the South, would endeavor to assist them
by all by the means in their power to &C.
complsh that end. They had the right
of franchise, and he advised them to
exercise it with good judgment To
learn to fully appreciate these great
privileges which are being conferred
upon them, they should educate them
selves and their children. 1t is the
duty and the interest of the white men
to help the eolored men in their educa-
tional and moral training. If we were
actuated by interest alone, we should
rather contribute to than retard their ad-
vancement They are politically the
equals of the whites, and education will
90 far to make them morally and men,
tally so. Let there be no war of races
among us-let us look to each others
welfare. 1t is true that many of the
whites are deprived of the political rights
which the colored men will enjoy, but
that should not and will not create en-
yious and unkind feelings. He concluded
by advising them to regard the white
men who have been born and reared
among them as friends. Let no harsh
feelings exist between us; look to each
others welfare and happiness; and last,
though not least, look to your educa-
tional and moral improvement
SPEECH OF WIN. II. TALLEY (wHITE)
Mr.. William Fl. Talley said he fully
appreciated the confidence and respect
manifested in the invitation to address
his colored friends in relation to the |
condition of the country, and would,
under other circumstances, have at
tempted full discussion of the subject.
But the subject itself was one so vast in
Importance, and the notice of such a
meeting so brief, that he did not propose |
to do more than indicate his hearts con.
currence in some OF the views already !
presented, intending thereby to add his
testimony Of their correctness. He said |
that they had heard that the interests Of |
the white man and the colored man Of
the South were one and the same. They |
are parts of the same society inhabiting
the same land,P under the same sun,
the same atmosphere,
and, if the lessons Of history
and reason taught anything, they
Taught that, under such circumstances
The two races must prosper or perish to-
gether. Differences of soil, climate and
government are the principal causes Of
difference, and consequent conflict Of
interest In vast country, with wide
range of climate and almost infinite va
-iety of soil, there must naturally, per-
laps necessarily, arise such conflict
Legislstion, which may be productive of
rood results to one portion OF such a
may be utterly disastrous to an
,ther. But, with the same soil and eli
nate, and surrounded by circumstances
he same in all essential particulars, the
White man and the ooloFsd man of the
,outh have the same interest, the same
lestisy. 1t was impossible at this time
o mark out and recommend any par
ocular line of policy. Everything was
n doubt and confusion.
Trade, the mechanic arts, every de-
,artment Of industry we're palsied by
he uncertain, unsettled condition of
fairs. The country can know no pros
erty without peace, and that end can
e attained only by discarding all ele-
1ents Of strife, and promoting harmony
nd concert Of action. The advice which
ommon sense gives to the oolored pop
laton of the South in the present emer-
ency is, to try those of the community
hon you have known-those who hith-
rto proved themselves worthy of conf
enee--those who have the same in
crest Unite with those. If these
eceive you, il will then be time
noagh to experiment on the sympathies
{ strangers. He said be knew he ex-
ressed the feeling Of the intelligent
-hite men Of the South when he said
nat they cherished no semblance of hos.
lily to the colored man on account Of
is altered circumstances The enemies
{ the South will endeavor to foment dis