The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-04
From the Charleston Courier.1
Gen. Sickles' Address to the Freedmen

An immense concourse of colored people.
assembled in front of Major General D. E.
Sickles' quarters on Tuesday night, to offer
him the compliment of a serenade. After
the band had performed several airs, in res
ponse to the loud and repeated calls of the
assemblage, General Sickles presented HIM
self. His appearance was the signal for the
most enthusiastic demonstrations He said ::
My friends, 1 thank you for your visit
Although unexpected it is none the less graf
flying. 1t is your privilege, not mine, to
take part as a partisan in the political action
of the day. My duty is to see that every
citizen of North and South Carolina has a
full and fair opportunity to vote as his judy
ment and conscience may dictate This du-
ty l shall endeavor to perform. The colored
race in this country have gained just praise
for their admirable conduct during the war
and pending the recent agitation of their
civil and political acknowledgements In nv
department I can truly bear testimony to
your patient forbearance When sorely pro-
vol>ed to retaliate by cruel acts of violence
and humiliation you have borne yourselves
with untaltering confidence. The day of
your deliverance was not distant. Cheers. I
Let me enjoin upon you all in this hour of
your success, perseverance in well-doing
You are now citizens CT the republic. Re-
member that the strength of the nation lies
in the virtue, industry, loyalty and courage
of its citizens. You must try and vindicate
the hopes of your friends and repel the fore
bodings of the sceptical by proving your
selves worthy of the privileges to which you
have been admitted. [Applause.l
Whenever any large addition has been
made to the voters of State the same ap-
prehensions have been expressed that are
now heard with reference to yourselves
Those already enfranchsed arc easily alarm
ed at any considerable change in the estab-
l1shed order of things. So far, in this coun
try, experience has shown that union, liberty
and power are safe in the hands of those who
earn their bread by the sweat Of their brows.
[Applause.] None love the land of their
birth more fondly; none will defend it with
more constancy and valor than those whose
labor make up the sum of a nations wealth.
[Applause. So long as the destinies of this
country are in the hands of those whose
homes are made sacred by justice; whose
liberties depend on the courage with which
they are maintained; the old flag may defy
all enemies, whether from without or within.
iGreat applause.
1t would be difficult, under the most ia
vorable circumstances, for any race of men
to engage, as you have now to do, in the
most interesting political events, without
being deeply moved by their Importance and
novelty. Let me advise you as friend, and
AS one not without experience in public
affairs, to preserve at all times the utmost
moderation of language, temper and con-
duct. Avoid everything like violence, i'm
patience or indecorum. Do not give even
your Anniversaries just occasion to complain
of the least disrespect shown to them in
your discussions, private or public. And
beware of those who would endeavor to ex-
cite animosities between the white and black
races.
The prosperity of the South, the welfare
of the country, are intimately associated with
the harmony and good feeling which should
exist between the people of bothIraces and
the South. Whatever seriously impairs the
interests of one race, must result seriously to
the other. Intelligence, culture, capital.
1and are not less essential than labor and
yet without labor these can have no solid
and enduring foundation. You have al
ready shown your appreciation of these adj
van tages by the eagerness with which you
have employed the opportunities lately given
to you to educate yourselves. It will not be
long before the white race in the South will
see how deeply they are interested in the
education, industry, thrift and progress of
their colored population. In this mutual
dependence lies the security of all.
Abundant time and opportunity will be
afforded, and ample notice will be given of
all the successive steps to be taken III the
organization of the State Governments within
my command. 1t will not be necessary, nor
can it be otherwise than injurious to your
selves for you to neglect your regular en-
ployment and associations to attend to po-
litical affairs. Ipromise you that without
any such sacrifice on your part, every man in
the Carolinas entitled to voice in the decis-
ion of the great question to be passed upon
under my supervision, shall have fair
chance to act his part without let or him
drance from any one. Ny friends wish you
all good night. [Enthusiastic cheers.l