The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-02-15
THE AFRICAN MEETING.
Speeches Of Gov. Orr and Gen. Scott

|
Church, in Calhoun street (Rov. Mr. Cains)
Long before the hour appointed, the house, al
though largo, was crowded with freedmen. Ever,
available inch OF space was occupied. Hearing
pubic Speakers is still novelty with our coloret
citizens, and they accordingly turn out en- ,ndssc
on the least proyocation, where thore is an,
| chance OF speech, sormon lecture, address, OF
haranguo OF any description.
| There wore in tho front seats also, a number O.
white persons, mostly Nosthernors, who doubtless
took this method to testify thoir respect to the
Governor OF tho State, whose speech, as wus un.
deratood, was to be tho chief feature OF tho evon.
| ing.
| At quarter before o'clock Gonerals RopIRr.
SON and SCOTT entered tho church, and wero VOL
comod with much applause. few minutes
afterWard Governor OnR made his appearance, and
! was similarly checred.
Tho meeting was open ed with prayer By n color
cd preacher named Everitt.
Parson FRENCH next explained tho object of tho
meoting, viz: That tho Governor of South Caro-
Lima was to address tho colored people this oven
ing-that at como time during the evening COL
lection should be taken up 10 defray the oxponaes
Of the church, etc., etc.
Gov. ORR and Gen. Scorr thcn asccndcd tho
stage or pulpit, and after being duly introduced
by the Chairman, Roy. Charles Smnlls n colored
preacher, Coy. oRR said that year ago, whom
passing through this city, ho was called Oh by
some colored mon md asked to address their pco-
pie. no declined doing 30 then for reasons ho
deemed sufficient at that timo But having again
been invited to do SO, he now nvailed himself of
tho opportunity, and did go with great deal Of
pleasure. He told them that this was not the first
occasion since the groat change in the socal status
OF the cOlored people that he Ind ayEiled himsolf
OF the opportunity OF talking to them on tho con-
rary, he had done 30 frequently, and, as ho bo-
loved, such addresses had resulted benecially both
to the white people and the colored. Wehavo oacl,
OF us, high and important duties to perform in our
several stations, which wo should strive to fulfil
as mon and as Christians. Tho new relation in
which tho colored people find themselves by the
events OF tho war, has imposed now obligations
upon thom. The change in thor status has been
most extraordinary one. Two years ago they
had no command over the results Of their labor
nor on tho other hand, had they any serious wants
or carcs. Thor wants were supplied, for most Of
them OF least, kindly and CONSIDERABLY.
Some OF them there may hayo been-suoh
is m human ,I,I nature everywhore-who wero not
they stood In position whero they had to think,
to act, TO caro- and contriye for themselves.
=, Ih0so 81 1hom who have enjoyed the advantages
been surrounded by intelligent society-are able,
In measure, to act for themselves, and ara no a
- ;.
Of their race who haye not enjoyed such adyane
ages. Where this intelligence does not prevail We
lind d collisions suffering and, not nnfrequently,
due to truth and Justice. that We should say that
the great bulk of the coored people of South Caro-
lima, In since their emanoipslion, have demeaned
the past season has been unfayorsble. The hua-
bandman, when the result Of tho years labor wac
bis granaIy, and little, undor his cotton shed. 4
great many freedmen honco were thrown ont OF
employment, not from any fault Of planter OF la
white man to meet the wants Of the latter.
great many freedmen hsvo LETT tSe ESenis State
after wagon leave different parts Of tho State,
mbarhlibs Tor distant homes, and that he
fs that they should remain 5ere i is do to
said, and It is 70 your interest that you should ro-
will BIO more remunerative, where you viii better
your condition, you DO well in going; but guard
against delusiYe hopes and ace that You listen not
You arc now thrown on your G *, own % resources. You
have no capital houses OF lands, But thcre plen
* white people better or But Bas
you should labor, for It is written BY tho sweat OF
thy brow shalt thou eat bread. Hcnco, il you have
land you may labor perhaps more successfully you
indulge in more Injuries which is tho difference
the world oyor betwosn tho man who has capital
", v,
substance, and give his children suficency with
ont any personal oIertion on their part. But havo
often thought u doubtful kindness to place any
ono beyond the necessity OF selE-reliance- above
the common lot Of labor.
In tho main, whore contracts wero made with
the colored people, ho beloved, and whero thoy
had been well treated, there has been but little
cause for complaint, and no. hoped that this yenr
L will be etiil botter, when bolh races hnve the
benefit OF additional experience. He had no doubt
that many Of the freedmen desired houses, a little
land, and some stock around 1t. Very well; they
in time be theirs, Just SO Certain as they would
practice these virtues theae comforts would sur,
In their new relations to society, he continued,
IL became their duty, whom they saw either man
'of woman OF color NOT acting up to the require
ments Of lav, divine or human, to disoountenance
their misdoings. II they gave encouragement,
countenAnce, or support 70 such peraons,' they
would would aso RS sSps aS eaSs g for by doing 1 s
their children. Therefore, by all means, let the
law be yindioated, It may be harsh, it may be un-
Sf BBs ss@sdot II to your awsver and it
The object Of law is for tho security OF lfo and
the protection Of property; These privileges hayo
coored people by the Legislature Of South Caroli-
cd from tho Court House now they may give tos-
own raoe or COLOR but likewise in 81 others. Tho
Legislature has provided that they shall be pro-
tected nom violence, eithor from wlita persons or
coored. I'm Borne localities, II is true the Govern
or remarked, such whence: has sometimes been
committed |; but as the Ohief Executive OF tho
sse he Ts n to ha Ss whole
compared very fsyorably with any othor commini-
ty OF the same extent In no part OF the United
States oan less crime be shown by population go
lnrge !. and although this may not all be true Of
some localities Of the State, he told them that
oven in oil these localities there is growing dis
position among the white mon to giyo to the negro
full protection Of liie liberty, and Of property.
AS tho Executive Of the State, It becomes him to
geo that no violence, no outrage, no injustice OF
any kind Is perpetrated on tho freedman; to pro-
won't unjust conYictIDn and un)uat punishment;
that ho had already had occasion TO interposo his
official shield, to protect the colored man from tho
acts Of eyil-dfBposod whito mon.
Their great duty, the Governor continued, was
honest and truthful; to do their duty to God, who
rules the universe. BY doing 30 they will reach q
degreo OF elevation never yet reached anywhere by
their race. ~
! They wanted schools-they wanted education.
At the no1t session Of the Legislature, il there
should BIO nnother session Of this body undor the
present auapices, 1t WAS his design TO recommend
should be taxed for this purpo,e, and whatoyer of
taxation Is collected from the. Llstk ehaI be do
voted to tho purposes Of hiD education, and from
the white for hts. It La o mistake, be said to
think, rs many do, that the intelligent white man
iB opposed to the education OF the, negro. It is
not 30. To many Of the freedmen education is no
longer available. Their time Ia occupied In tho
time for this. Whenever we educate q man, It Is
generally conceded, we make him better. He said
that It Ia his dosfe that they shall interest thom-
selves In tho education Of their children. Let