Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-04-26

and has been gradually sinking under the
waight of years
'SGen. Saunders was, in his palmy days,
one of the ablest political speakers, as well
as one of the best criminal lawyers that
the State has produced. He was gentle
man of great force of character and much
native kindness of heart. In private life
he was exemplary and above reproach. In
his death the State has lost another of those
distinguished sons, the loss of SO many of
whom, within a few years past she has
been called upon to mourn
The COlored Meeting in Raleigh.
We devote much space to the full and
complete report of the speeches before the
colored meeting in Raleigh, on Monday
last, copied from the Sentinel. These adj
dresses were delivered at the invitation of
the colored people of that city, who, it
seems, were not satisfied with the teach
ings of the patriots who have constituted
themselves the special friends of the blacks
AS we predicted, the attempt to place the
colored population of the State under the
ford, who has been most wonderfully con-
sistent in his opposition to everything
looking to the eleva ton Of the negro, and
to such men as Messrs. Taylor and Rich
ardson, of Raleigh, has resulted in most
miserable failure. These men have forced
their views and urged their friendship up
on the newly enfranchised citizens wi thout
invitation and without acceptance. We
felt sure that the more thoughtful would
soon desire and ask instruction, and seek
aid and encouragement from a source
which would inspire confidence and re-
spect.
We have published these speeches, not
only for the views they inculcate, but to
let our people of both colors see what is
the feeling and regard entertained for each
other by the two races. Such meetings are
indeed whitening rebukes to the agitators
who are trying to add to the troubles of the
South, by sowing the seeds Of discord be-
tween those whose interests are thesame, and
who are warned by every consideration of
policy, humanity, political and social in
terest, to live together il peace and friend
ship. A different course must inevitably
lead to injury and danger to both classes,
and common ruin. We hope the example
set in Raleigh will be followed throughout
the State
SEXTON GALES, Esq who spoke first. said
F'ieItGS and FetLO10- Citizens My friends you
have always been, and my teUOlC-citizenS YOU now
nnIOr wonderful change which
wrought III your political cOndition,--a change
which, few short years ago, would never have
entered the head Of the widest dreamer,-a
change which opens before you great future, if
you arc but true to yourselves and your country.
When | received your invitation to address you
on this occasion, did not hesitate one moment
about complying and this for several reasons
Born and raised among you, can recall not one
single instance i'll the past when have had other
than kind and respectful treatment at your hands.
So far as ney relations with the institution of
slavery were concerned, they have always been
pleasant and agreeable, though it was my for
tune to own but two slaves, both OF whom in a
ripe and good old age, loved aud respected l am
sure, by all who knew them, have long since gone
to rest They nursed my infancy, and IN Neei old
age tried to do my duty by them, so far as was
able. They sleep III yor.,er graveyard, and [
honor and revere their memories.
But apart from such private reasons, recognize
1t as binding on every white man III the conmu-
nifty to feel and express Oh all proper occasions,
warm interest III the welfare OF the cOlored pop
nlation He who does not feel such nl interest,
| and express it, too, when called upon TO 60 SO, is
greatly lacking, conceive, in a plain duty. TO
live side by side iii the same country, under the
| same government, ana to be ruled by the
laws Is our fate, which we cannot escape il We
would. How evident then that the worst enemy
to both races is the wretchod demagogue, be he
white or black, who would endeavor to excite dis
sension and discord among ourselves, and to ar
| ray the classes against each other! What reason
can there be for strife? What sense can there
be in strife? Or rather, what Wickedness and
folly there is III strife Are not all citizens of
tached to her and character, and vitality in
terested i'll her ortunes-in one word, are we not
all brethren, bound together by COMMON interests
and common hopes?
You have asked me, my friends to advise you in
! relation to the great public questions OF the day.
You are now a free people, made so by the power
of the sword though I am not one Of those who
believe that the Southern people fought in the
late war to pcrpetuate slavery, I E3lOW, taking
the solemn declarations Of Congress, Of Mr.. Lin
con and Of the press and leaders Of the North
as the evidence that it not the purpose Of the
Federal government, until it was found necessary
as war measure to overthrow the white ress-
lance to the constituted authorities, to abolish
slavery. But waiving the discussion Of that ques-
| ton, as out Of place and unnecessary, you have
been made, and you are treemen. | should de-
spise, from the bottom OF my soul, the white man
who felt any enmlty towards you on that account,
or who could not feel that it was natural and
praseworthy, that you should rejoice in your
emancipation. feel and know that [ speak
the sentiments of nine-tenths of the white peo-
pie of the South, when I declare that it is their
desire to elevate you in t scale of manhood and
to make you everyway worthy of the great privi-
legos which have been conferred upon YOU and
everyway equal to the grave and serious respon-
slbllltlcs which you now have to assume. We can
never forget your long years OF faithful service,-
we can never forget that we have grown up to-
gether, and the associations of d life time, and,
above all, we never forget your quiet, patient
orderly and peaceful course during the four ter
rbe years Of war, from which have Just
emerged.
Well, then, first, to what lies immediately be-
| fore new government Is to be made and
you are to participate in its formation. Certainly
the building up system of government for
great people, which is intended to last for ages is
a great and solemn work 1t should not be ap-
preached with passion or prejudice. 1t should not
| be committed to bad weak men. If you will
listen to me for few moments, l will try to tell
you how think SO great duty should be per-
| formed. certainly have no personal interest to
advance. [ have no ambition to crafty. [ am
not striving for your votes for myself or any one
not for myself Tor the reason that
| the same law which confers the boon Of suffrage
upon you takes it away from and deprives me
Of the privilege of holding Office. Perhaps you
would like to know why am disfranchised will
| tell you. never was secessionist the con-
| trary, fought that doctrine for years. But even
| il had been, that would not have DISTINGUISHED
me, for | know good many secessiensts who
| n 6isfra nphjSa1 nd know too q fou