Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-05-03
MEETING OF FBEEDMEN.
Address OF Gen. EchOls.


Philip Roselle was called to the chair and
we were requested to act as Secretary. The
chairman then introduced Gen Echols, who
delivered very able, plain and candid adj
dress to the colored people.
We regret that we arc unable to give this
address entire, but give the main points, as
fully as We can from the hurried notes we
took on the occasion.
He commenced by returning his thanks to
1.-The .colored people for the confidence they had
reposea in him by inviting him to address
them, and said that he would be untrue to
himself and unjust to the colored people, did
he not speak to them plainly, candidly and
truthfully. He alluded to the changed
condition of whites and blacks, and said that
the history of the world contained no record
of such change in the government of any
people as had been wrought in that Of this
country A most wonderful change to be
wrought in SO short time -Four years ago
there were four millions of slaves in the
South. To-day they stand in as high grade
as any in the land. BY the result Of the war
the change has been wrought, which has
raised them from the condition of slaves to
the rights and privileges of freemen. This
change brought not only rights and privi-
leges but also responsibilities and duties
lie then proceeded to speak Of the Con-
gressional legislation, not deeming it neces-
sary at this day to speak of the issues which
led to the war. He believed his colored
friends, who knew the part he had taken
would him credit for sincerity. He had nc
regrets and came now to pour oil on the
troubled waters and counsel them for their
good. and ours and that of our common coun-
try.
He then read a portion Of the Reconstruct
ton bill and the bill supplemental thereto
and explained candidly and truthfully THEN
purport-who were voters and who were ell
igible to the offices of the State and Conven-
ton, and explained to them that this was
the act under which they were allowed to vote.
He knew that the heart of every colored
man leaped with JOY that he was no longer the
slave of another--that he was free to vote and
say who should govern him, but he came tl
impress upon them the responsibilities Of then
new position If he could go with them il
this their irst investigation of the course they
should pursue and aid in starting them on
the sure way to success and happiness il
would be one of the happiest reflections o.
his life They could vote. He was worse of
than they. He could neither vote nor hold
Office. The Government in its wisdom had
disfranchised him, and forever. He did moi
complain His colored friends, however
would thus see that he was unbiased and
would understand that, having no Office which
they could give him, that there was no reason
why he should deceive them, but that that he
came simply to aid them in finding what was
best for them. They would be called upor
to vote on the question Of a Convention. HI
explained that a majority of all those regis
tered would be required to vote on this ques
ton, and that if majority Of these voting
were in favor Of a Convention it would b.
called, otherwise it would not, (and at tn,
same time they would vote for delegates t.
Conyention.) He would advise his colorct
friends, and white friends also, Gin gooo
faith" as it is now so commonly expressed
to 90 to work and reconstruct the State Gov
eminent according to the provisions of tn,
Sherman Shellabarger bill. For himself, h
said, he accepted the "sit,ation as 1t u.s." O
course he would have preferred things other
wise. but We are all powerless and he though
it our duty, honestly and earnestly, to go tt
/ work to restore peace and quiet and prosper
ity to the country. Matters might be worse
but let us hope and at the same time wor]
for better times He would say to all then
white and colored, register and vote for
Convention Stand shoulder to shoulder il
support Of tie best men. Do not rely OF
those who promise anything and everythin!
to get your votes, but vote for men to whom
you would go for advice in any matter of in
terest to you. Go for honest men. Such a
you would 80 to if you had money to LEM
or important business to transact. Such a
you would 60 to to write your will Or t
whose care you would consign your childrel
or their interests when you are about to die
He had no vindictiveness against any one
was anxious to restore peace and would de
spise himself if he stood there and did nc
speak to them truthfully, and advise them i
regard to the course which he honestly be
lieved the best
He had heard of efforts being made to ar
ray the colored man against the whites of th
South, who had ever been his best friends
Is this polite? Y GU are told that the Northern
people emancipated you and that you shoul
be grateful to them and hostile to the Southern
people. Let US examine this. Mr. Lincoln am
Congress declared that the war was wage,
not to free the colored people, but to preserv
the Union and for three years after the wa
commenced there was no intention to eman
cipate the slaves, but the mighty result 0
the war brought it about whether desired O
not. If they had belonged to New York o
Pennsylvania they would not have beel
freed. The first slaves we're brought to thi
country by Dutchmen. Massachusetts, fol
lowed, because she could make money by it
and brought more slaves from Africa thai
any other State. No Northern State eve
emancipated its slaves without compensation
When they found them improbable the
adopted prospective emancipation and sol
their slaves to the Southern people before tn
time when their prospective emancipation
would have freed them. The reproach the
rests as much upon the North as the South
upon those who brought you here and en-