The Van Buren press., 1867-06-14
GOOD ADVICE.

! La the Little Rock Gazette vi the ith, We
lind a synopsis Of the remarks Of Bishop
CAMrBELI, (colorcd) OF Pennsylvania to the
colorcd citizens of that city, on the 81 inst
The counses Of such men as the Bishop at
this time can do much good among the Freed
men of the South, and we trust his efforts will
be extended TO all parts Of the State. The
Freedmen, well informed. will act his part
well the only fear i, that he will be dnped
by designing men. Every effort should be
made to give them information on all subjects
of general interes. TO them, not leave them to
be led cStray and there minds embittered
against the larger class OF the people OF the
country in which their lot is east.
Shortly before eleven o'clock, L. ). district
attorney WhytOck called the gathering to or
der from the steps of the main building, and
nominated Il. +. Rice rs chairman, and A. W.
Bishop, and Mace Warren (colored) as secre-
taries who were selected. The president then
introduced the bishop, who, AFTER salnting his
:" friends and fellow-citizens of Arkansas,
said lac never forgot that he has been mem
Der of the Gle ical order for thirty years, and
that politics was not his appropriate sphere, as
was the pulpit. True christians, however are
true patriots After long deliberation, he had
been firmly convinced that a mans religion
was no better than his politics: for ifthc lat
ter i bad the former has rotten spot IN it,
He did not come hither as a political orator,
he liked to hear them speak sometimes, as he
had been voter for thirty years, in Rhode
Island and New York.
lie would make some historical statements
which he wished TO be remembered. He had
81. tln
time he first learned their character by study
ing late at night in his masters garret; be-
cause they have always been on the side OF
liberty. chatcl slavery being the only excep-
ton. The heart of the American people,
from the time OF the landing of the Pilgrim
fathers, had been for liberty and one of the
indictments against the King of England
drawn By the colonies was that he had forced
the slave trade upon them. Mr. Jefferson,
himself southern man, had saia that AL
men are created free and equal etc At the
time the declaration of independence was
signed. all the States allowed slavery, even
Massachusetts, excepting Vermont. In spite
OF their love for universal liberty, from va
rvus caHac- II had not been granted the ne
gro. The Yankee was early to discovp, thai
free and slave labor could not bot,.i exist and
had been shrcwd enough 20 sell his slaves
Their freedom ha1. been brought about by
GOD, Tor W....io the north and south were quar-
reilng about other matters, the negro had
slipped out from slavery.
lie admired the people of the south. and
would not see them humiliated or punished
and did not think the Congressional plan o
reconstruction was intended for that purpose
The negro bad behaved well during the wal
rs Il soldier in the northern and southern ar
mics, and as servant for the women ant
children who were left at home in the south
For their conduct they had been enfranchis
ed, and, of course they would ever thank Goo
/ and Congress for it, There was no need fol
alarm about conliscation if the people woult
reconstruct in good faith; if they did not
what would next be done the people of til,
south could tell as well as he.
The bureau will be removed in July, 1868
and the army would not be here to back then
after the State reconstructed therefore they
must make friends with those who would pre-
serve them the rights they now enjoy, whel
both of these agencies were gone. They hav,
more liberty to-day than he enjoyed at hi
home in Philadelphia. Only five northern
States permitted a negro to vote, and three o
of these impose property qualification ant
other restret'S9EAstu stu register ana vote tor sucl
men rs delegates to u convention who woulC
secure them equal rights before the law. Nc
Ill VIII should be cherished towards their ole
masters; many ofthem were their best friends
1t is bad men only who stir up mobs and dis
order. OF such, they should beware. Trea
your old master with respect, as they were no
entirely responsible for the effects of slavery
it having been entaied upon them. Congress,
expects good behavior from YOU.
lie urged them to save their money, buy
| lands from their old masters, and not spenl
IL foolshly in putting on airs. but better sticl
to their old habits and save their money. III,
prayed tor the south equally with any othel
district and hoped that she would grow richer
than ever by free labor. He advised them t,
work for those who paid them best, and re-
cited several instances where large numbers
of his race found it to their advantage to re.
main with their old masters. lie eXhortet
them to educate themselves, that knowlcdg,
would bring them peacefully many thing,
that are now denied them