The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-25

is saving Alabama. 1t works like charm,
The colored people feel at home in it, and
when they are ignorant of any of the duties
or responsibilities of the citizens they are
well trained in its councils. hope it may
have foothold in every town and county In
| the State, and so far as can properly aid it
to that end 1 will do so with cheerfulness."
In North Alabama nearly all the working
men, black and white, are members OF the
League, and all are enthusiastic in its praise
Judge Smith, of Montgomery; Rev. c. w:
Buckley, of the same city Major Horton, OF
Mobile, and many Others whom l met in the
State, and who are known to the country as
| friends of the Union and of equal rights, beg
ged that no efforts be spared to have the
League we'll extended through the State. In
no State in the South are the friends of the
Union more vigorous than in Alabama. The
League is established in nearly every coun-
| ty. General Pope did not see, but ascer
tanned that his views accord with those ex-
pressed by Generals Schofield, Brown, and
Swayne.
In Louisiana met the gallant Sheridan,
who gave me most cordial welcome, and
offered me any service that he could proper
ly render in the promotion of what he term
ed 1.-THE good and glorious work of this pa
triotic organization" General Mower of the
Frcedmen's Bureau General Tartsuff, Colo
mel Forsyth Rev. DR.. Newman. Major Heath,
Governor Flanders, General j. d. Brown, A.
Mary, ESQ.,, Rev. j. B. Smith, General Cyrus
Hamlin. and others in Louisiana, were all
free to express the conviction that this or
ganization, above all others, was peculiarly
adapted to heal the wounds of the South,
and to secure for the States of that section
an early restoration to their proper relations
within the Union and on the basis of justice
to all. From the lips of others in Mississip-
pi and Tennessee the testimony as to the
worth of the League was equally conclusive.
II. EAGERNEss OF THE CoLORED PEOPLE TO
LEARN.
No feature my work was more interest
ing than that of addressing audiences of
colored people. These would come many
miles on foot in order to hear me. I have
met some who had travelled in that way a
hundred miles, and Others fifty, forty, and
thirty miles. 1t was a common thing to wit
ness hundreds filling the roads leading to the
place of meeting after having started from
points ten or twenty miles away.
Their plan of operating is this: The hands
employed on plantation, hearing that there
is to be meeting Gin town." each contri-
butte something toward defraying the expen-
ses OF their best man, who is chosen for the
purpose, and sent off, instructed to pay par
ticular attention and bring back faithful
report of all that transpires. This person,
after learning all he can, returns to the plan
tation. Soon meeting is called and the
messenger makes his report, which is usually
very correct. In all places where came in
them into the League and fitted them to re-
turn to their homes enabled to organize
councils of the League.
have never Witnessed an much aDyiatv
to learn what their duties are as is manifest
ed by this people. They attended all the
meetings that / addressed in such vast
crowds, and behaved themselves so remark
akly well, as to increase my appreciation of
them to considerable degree beyond that
which had previously exercised toward
them.
Ill CONDUCT OF THE WHITE CITIZENS
FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
The conduct of the whites was far better
than had expected. Throughout my en-
tire trip met none of the former rebels or
shareholders who offered me any insults or
any threats of personal violence. Many of
these attended our meetings and behaved
themselves very we'll. Though they offered
no marks of approval of the sentiments
which 1 uttered, am glad to say they offer
ed none of disapproval They listened
quietly and respectfully. In New Orleans
and Mobile, where two years ago was both
disturbed and personally insulted and fore
ed to suffer violence for the utterance of Re-
publican sentiments, this time spoke freely
and openly, with none to modest me or make
me afraid.
do not desire to convey the idea that
this respect for the right of free speech was
entirely voluntary. 1 know very well that
llnt for fear Of hoHi IF
tigation appointed by Congress 1 should
have been moles.ed, if not killed, before
proceeding further south than Richmond |
What do mean to show is that Congress
has by firm purpose and q wise policy, |
inaugurated period when, through fear,
men can speak their sentiments freely in
the South.
~. THE WORK ACCOMPLISHED.
In some of the States of the South
through which 1 passed found State and |
subordinate councils already in full opera
ton, with extensive and well-devised plans |
for future operations In them 1 tarried |
only long enough to acquaint myself with |
their situation, their method of working,
and their plans for the future In some |
instances l was enabled to bring about |
harmony among contending elements, and |
in Others to correct errors in the method |
of organizing and working the order, SO
as to have the machinery of loyal recon-
struction marked with the beauty of har-
mony.
In Virginia, Louisiana, and Mississippi
I found no State organizations of the
League in existence. I went to work and |
established State councils, which proceed
ed at once with the work of establishing
subordinate councils,and now, in each Of
those States, as we'll as Texas, the good
work moves along with most encouraging
speed. Between one and two hundred |
subordinate organizations have been put
under way in these States within the last
three months.
With suitable assistance from our loyal
friends in the North we will have in
less than four months more, five hundred |
councils of the League IN these three
States.
From the best sources of information
within my reach, and from my own OBJ
servation, should judge that in all the
States of the South there are at this time
2 and hundred thousand members Some
of the councils in the South have, to my