Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-05-22
Gen. EchOls, Late of { Reb-
Ell Army, Addresses his Col
Ored Friends.
Same OF the CoIOred Brethren have
their Say.
Iron The American UniOn.l

hOuAu duureSS the cOlOFeQ clIlZeuS OF Au-
gusta county at the Court House, on Sat
urday evening April 9th.
Saturday evening came. At an early
hour the house was nearly full, black PEG
pie below, in the body of tho house, Whit
people in the galleries.
A few white republicans took seats be.
low. Philip Roselle (colored, one of the
delegates to the Richmond Convention,
was called to the chair. The General be-
ing introduced, proceeded to make the fol-
lowing points:
LIST. To assure his audience that they
were free men, endowed with even more
privileges than he, himself, as he was by
Congress, d~isfranchised and disqualified
for holding any Office.
md That being thus disqualified. he
could have no possible motive in speaking
to them, but 8 desire to do them good.
Sd. That as they were ignorant in pO-
~litical affairs, they should follow the ad-
vice of such men as they consulted in their
pecuniary affairs-of honest-inteIligent
men, whom they had always known, and
especially avoid the leadership of men
from other States who had selfish ends in
view.
4th. That they should avoid uniting
themselves with the Radicals, who are led
by Thad, Stevens; that if they thus com.
bined themselves against the Southern
people, who were their best friends, and
had always been, the white people will
unite against them; that they were de-
pendent upon the white people for employ
ment; that the white people had all the
money and owned all the land; that IN
less they wanted to be destroyed and van-
ish away as the Indians had done, they
had better follow the lead of the people
with whom they live.
9th. That Massachusetts, was principal
ly responsible for slavery; that their fore
fathers were stolen from Africa by the
people of Massachusetts; that neither
Massachusetts, nor any of the Northern
States ever freed their slaves; they found
that slavery was not profteble, and then
that their slaves should be free
twenty or thirty years hence, taking care
in that time te sell them all South.
These sentiments were conveyed with
than the average amolnt Of flowers
and flourish, consuming about two hours
In their delivery.
The General concluded with some very
pathetic illusions to his own intercourse
with his slaves, complimented his dear
old black nanny, told how much she
loved him, exborted the colored people to
be viItuo1s, to sustain their churches and
min isters, (ssid nothing about their teach
ers, and love and be respectful to their
~ ~ 4
The General was several times applaud
Cd by the galleries, once or twice very
by the body of the house.
After a brief silence, and a vote of
thanks to the General. several prominent
eolored men were called uron.
The first speaker, Henry Davenport,
lnegro) said that the speaker had advised
Them to act honestly and Independently.
He thanked him for it and sand he meant
follow his advice.
The second-Scott fQuadroon, said that
thought it a safe principles to praise .
The bridge that had brought you safely
over; that if the Southern people were so
they would of course tolerate
'ome difference of ~opinion. The Radicals
had made them free at great cost; had ems
,rRnchised them and he meant TO stick to
hem. (Great applause in the body of the
louse, galleries very still.)
Mr.. Dowdney, inegro,1 said the very
gentleman had said they were
rec. He was glad that he had admitted so
much. BE had also told them that the
Northern people were not their friends;
knew there was a Copperheai party IN
ne North that had no friendship for them;
that he judged men and parties by their
He reckoned that they had some
there; that they had not only
made them free, but now their ladies had
eft their homes and come down here
with Bibles and books in their hands to
each them how 70 enjoy their freedom
If the Southern people were such friends
them, why did they not manifest 1t a
little sooner.
He never had seen this friendship on
he part of the Southern people, save
when they had some interest at stake
Great applause1 @ 1 cl stt 4
The Chairman-Philip Roselle, said he1
would like TO say a word before the meet
ing closed. he might not have a chance To-
speak TO the white people again
He sand the General had talked about
Thad. Stevens Confscation measures
BE (Iioselle) did not want any of Gen.
Eehols land, would not take it if he could
get it, but there is Master CARRIER point
to a g~ood-looking young man, for
whose father he had worked, as a slave,
TX years; he wouldn't mind having a
piece Of his land. (Applause.)
About being free; he did not care much
who made him free; he was mighty glad
were free; reckoned they wouldn't
have been free if it hadn't been for the
war, his Master fought four years, but he
didn't reckon he would have done it if he
had thought 1--WE alp should get free by
that means.
Referring to the Generals advice aboat
good behavior, he hoped they would OBJ
serve it, and he thought It would be well
for some of the white people to observe
the same; didn't see why it was not as
good for white people as eolorod.
1 have only touched a few of the points
presented by the colored men. By this
time the audience Of colored people wss so
delighted with the sharp hats Of their
champions that they could scarcely be
heard.
And thus ended the evenings entertain.
ment. If those for whose special benefit
it was gotten up are satisfied we she'll not
complain. II