The tri-weekly standard., 1867-04-25
creed of liberty, and gave them the ballot as

creed of liberty, and gave them the ballot as
their due. [Applause.]
am opposed to black or white mans
party, but am in favor of that party which
carries the flag of freedom and keeps step to
the music of human elevation. But, my
friends, maintain the dignity of your new
born citizenship, entertain no revenge against
any, let the past prejudices be forgotten and
deeply buried. [Good! good!] Do nothing
toalienate the races; for you have your rights,
and no power on Gods earth can deprive
you of them.
a new era is now upon us, and the great
American Republic is marching on to power
and glory, and will be the leading nation of
the world. You will be its citizens, and as
good as any of them. Your vote must be
for equal rights, liberty, education, and the
development of your resources. Discard the
curse of black and white men-the whisky
bottle. Dread it as your worst enemy. Sup
port your Government, and go where you
belong-to the great Union party If the
United States. 1t has more strength, weight,
and intelligence, than any other party which
ever existed in the United States, and nine
teen twentieths of the Christians of the North
are its strong supporters. Let me lay down
its platform, and if there are any here to- day
who. having been convinced of past errors,
are now desirous to do right, let them nobly
come forth and stand with US. If any amid
the smoke of battle have cast aside their
delusions, let them squarely come out and
march with us to victory. We are for equal
rights, unity, liberty, humanity, justice, the
development of resources, and free educa-
ton. Come then, and put the power in the
hands of progressive men, who will make
! this old Commonwealth, as it deserves to be,
Cfota A,,l
in conclusion. let me remark that the great
party which in few months will canter over
the presidential field with less resistance
than ever before. does not beg for votes. But
we know you will come right and are con-
fident that old Virginia VIII soon be foremost
in the ranks of radicalism. Don't wait for
others, but come now, if you accept these
principles. land then you will assist in the
further dissemination of the doctrines of
Peace, Humanity, Justice, and the religion
of Christ.
After Senator Wilson retired, Major J. II.
Lee advanced, and addressed the assembled
freedmen for nearly an hour, and we regret
exceedingly that the space already devoted |
to Mr.. Wilson forbids our doing justice to
the second speaker.
jor Lee said that slavery was introduced |
by the North that he did not wish to see it |
revived; he warned the colored people |
against intermeddling demagogues he said |
if contscation came oreign soldiers would |
get the lands to the exclusion of the southern
blacks he reiterated his friendship for the |
colored people, and counselled them to i'm |
prove their condition mentally and physi- |
cally.
Subsequently Mr. Wilson returned, and
assured the people that if rights were denied
colored men at the North, the guilt was upon
the Democratic party and few timorous
Another year will bring about
a change. Ohio. Michigan, and New York,
will come all right. The great principle of
equal rights must everywhere prevail. He
positively declared to the white men pres
ent that the S. S. S. bill is finality. and
that if its provisions are in good faith &C
cepted, no more will be- or could be, deman-
ded. If it is rejected, he admitted confsca-
ton might follow. Urging its acceptance,
he said that after confscation the State gov
ernments might be dissolved, and the South
divided into territories. Finally, he express {
ed the hope that water power Of our State ,
be made of service; that our mineral and
agricultural resources be developed; and
said that all would rejoice in such an event,
or it would be an evidence of the improve
nent of our common country. Pointing to ,
he hoped that by the adop-
ion of common school system Virginia
would follow her example.
The discussion was here concluded.