The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-05-02
not agree To that demand of the Crittenden

not agree to that demand of the Crittenden
compromise. Then we were never to abol-
ish slavery in the District of Columbia with
out asking the consent of old Virginia
Iaughter) And if we did not consent to
these things, then the Southern Congress
men were going to make farewell speeches
and withdraw from the Union. You see
what their purpose was in 1861, and why
they plunged into secession. They had a
dream somewhat of this character-to estab-
a great agricultural country down here an
nexing Cuba, Mexico, and Central America
Then they had only to say the word anu
Europe would bow its head to their man
dates. This government, my colored- fellow
citizens, was to be founded on the bruised
hearts of four and half millions OF slaves
(Yes, yes.) For this they proudly rushed INTO
rebellion-they made the colored man build
their Notifications, made them teamsters,
cooks, &c. Thus white men were kept to do
the fighting, and enabled to shoot down
greater number of the boys in blue. Then we
saw and knew that slavery was the backbone
of the rebellion-i in ten days after the proc
lamation of war, we should have declared
the slaves free. There we failed in doing our
duty. But we did this much, we passed a
law emancipating every colorcd man, cap
tured 10y our troops, who was attached to
the rebel army. That. my friends, was the
beginning. There were some men up North,
forty eight Democrats in Congress represen-
ting that party who opposed 1t and denoun-
ced it; now they say that they are your
friends, and ask you to trust them. Uaugh-
ter) The war went on until the hour OF
your deliverance came, when Abraham Lin
coin issued his proclamation which has
made his name the most illustriOus of the
10Th century. Then we put arms into the
hands of the colored people to fight for their
liberty. What did your old friends down here
do? Jefferson Davis issued a proclamation
instructing his officers to turn over all officers
of colored troops captured in arms, to the
authorities of these States to be dealt with
as they pleased.
The next thing accomplished was the pas
sage OF that great Constitutional amend
ment abolishing slavery in the United States
forever Then armed rebellion was crushed
the civil rights bill passed, giving you the
equal protection of the laws as citizens of
the United States-then the Constitutional
amendment was proposed, and rejected by
your old friends down here with Scorn and
| indignation-an amendment which further
secured your rights as freemen and citizens
of this nation. And last of all, despairing
of your ever receiving Justice at the hands
of your friends, who ask you trust them
now, Qaughter,l we have passed the
military bill, giving ample protection and
entranchisement to every loyal man, white
and black, in the late rebclious States. Gap
| plause.) Thus your right of suffrage has
been secured. Your old friends, who ask
you TO trust them, after opposing this bill,
now say they can't help it, they are conquer
! ed, and they acquiesce. They run about af-
ter your votes and plead for them-thcir
scent is keen as bloodhounds-they turn
inside out and outside in. Uaughter) y
They say they are going to accept it because
they can't help it. l desire them to welcome
it because it isright, just and proper. (Cries
of yes, yes, that's SOY
down here to dictate but to advise you
how to vote. Vote in such a manner as to
protect your rights and liberties, see to it
that the Constitutional amendment is Moor
porated in your State Constitution-glther
up and finish the work, for your own destiny
Is now placed in your own hands. From
May 1886 up to this time, have battled tor
the rights of all men-I never gave vote
without asking myself how it advanced the
cause of liberty. My advice to you is to do
the same and to be industrious and get
money You wish to own houses and
lana. ca voice, Eyes, LordrO That is
right-save your money and buy land,
for now your little huts are as sa-
cred in the eyes of the law, as the palace of
the rich man. Go We men and labor for
your wives and children, for there is now no
master to sell the baby from its cradle, or
tear the loved partner of your lives from
your bosoms. (Great sensation) Save the
proceeds of your labor and buy land Much
of these lands here must be sold The own
o,,1 ipte will ~
great plantations will be cut up. and then
you will get homcsteads. CA voice, thank
Godr) This is your first duty. and you
have as good right to live in North Carolina
as anybody. (Cheers) 1 tell you to labor,
and l tell the white man to labor-tor IN every
country labor will have possession of lands.
See to it too that the children are educa ted and
school houses built-teachers sustained and
respected. Next to liberty the most sacred
thing is the culture of the BRAIN We have
faith that you Will do this thing Freemen
must have education to fit them for the du-
ties of the life; and have always held that
to fit men for freedom they must have free
dom conferred upon them.
Senator Wilson now appealed to the poor
white laboring men-he told them that their
hour had come-for more than two genera
tions they had been oppressed and degraded
and dshonored. AS Webster said now
look up and be proud amidst your toll ~
But what has been the result of past op-
preston? Why over ten thousand of YOUR
best mechanics have emigrated to the West
your bone and sinew has gone from you to
States where it commanded money, honor
and respect. Your State is seven times
larger than ours. Yet how wonderful arc
our improvements; We take your timber,
and cotton and hides. manufacture them and
send them to you. Our rivers work for rs as
they roll along to the sea. We educated our
black children, and every man who Iabors
lives honored and respected by all. Now ele-
vate yourselves, toiling white men and black
men, Tear the shackfes of ignorance from
your limbs; be industrious, honest and
patriotic and do not try to elevate yourselves
by kicking Others down. Lift up all men
with you. Now put the control of your
State affairs in the hands of those, who will
build up mechanic arts, encourage manu-
features, foster commerce, who celebrate
the 4th day of July and love God, and
who will tax property to support schools.
say here that such taxes are necessary
INV will fartilizn vOnr soil moro thon orr