The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-28
from the Charlotte Cuardian.1

the Guardian:
from the Charlotte Guardian.1
Several speakers for the occasion, arrived in
our city on Sunday night, among whom was Mr.
JOS. w Holden Of Wake county, Mr. Wm. 4.
Coleman of Cabarrus, (whites,) and Jas. II.
Harris, colored, of Wake. .---.
Just before the hour designated for the speak
ing to commence, the Union League of America,
(colored,) of Charlotte, having procession of
az least half mile in length, passed down our
principal street tc the ground allotted to the
speakers. After arrival, and the vast concourse
had been arranged around the speakers stand,
and they having their seats on the platform
erected for them, the meeting called to
order by DR.. VIM. Sloan, who made few pre-
paratcry remarks, explaining the object of the
meeting, and who moved that the meeting be
organized by calling DR.. Ii. Nj. Prtchard to the
Chair, and the appointment of the following
Vice Presidents Messrs Saml Berryhill, Robt
r Rea, DIR. W NJ Kerr, (whites,) John David
son, Armistead Brown aad Julius Phillips,
(colored,) and MIR Chas Frazier, (white,) and
john Davidson, (colored,) marshals of the
day, and Mr. J + Britton, (white,) and Francis
Capers, (colored,) as secretaries, which was
unanimously done.
DR.. Pritchard, upon taking the chair, pro-
ceeded to address the meeting, 10 which he said
ferred upon him. That this was neD 10
the history of man in this vicinity, that affairs
were erected 10 the name of the ancestors Of
40 600 human beings That God, in His To-
finite wisdom, had made America free institu-
ton, and that We are here upon equality under
the law, as American ctizens-and offered three
cheers for the glorious old flag which hung
above us, which were cordially given.
After Dr. Pritchard's remarks, the meeting
was opened with prayer by Chaplain Moore,
(colored.)
Upon motion, the chair appointed COM
mlttee of SIX to prepare resolutions for the ac-
ton OF the meeting, consisting Of DR.. VIM.
Sloan, Messrs, Frazier, aud E Fullnes,
(whites,) aud j. f. ScheDck, r Smith and Lee
Dunlap, (colored.)
While the committee on resolutions retired
to prepare them for the action of the meeting,
MIR Jos W Holden was called upon, who
favored those present with short talk in which
he said that the meeting to day merely to
learn our political duty, and he trusted that by
this time next year all the States would be liz
the Union-that we had organized in North
Carolina a Republican Party, and that do
not propose to repei any one, but invite all to
join with US to establish the Government Of the
United States upon firm foundation. Tha:
the issue bad been between freedom and slavery
that the Northern people demanded freedom,
and the Southern -slavery-but they were all
free now, thank God; that in this State there
were lO0,0 900 white voters and so 600 colored
| that meetings had been gotten up to passify
| elements, not for strife. That he wanted the
cooperation of every man-that liberty aud
equality the greatest plaEks in the plat
form of the Republican party-that We wanted
good feeling and harmony, and we wanted to
| &c: back into the Union. That we don't want
any uukind feelings, that we want all to coue
up cheerfuy and 90 the work. He appealed
to the colored persons present to go to work and:
educate themselves, and wound up in very.
happy style.
! The Committee on resolutions not being ready
to report, Jas. Ii. Harris, (colored,) being called
upon made speech of telling effect upon the
multitude assembled. He told the blacks that
he didn't think freedom meant idleness or child
ishness-that to be free means to an honest
living, &c, &c. In reference to the Govern
meut giving lands to the freedmen, he showed
very clearly and to the point, and assured those
before him that all the land they would get
would be that allotted for burial purposes-that
con6scation huge bug boo, aud that
there Was intelligent man, N orth or South,
who believed that any such thing could or
would be brought about. He went and told
the blacks that what was their interest was the
white ans-that in Tennessee, Louisiana and
| Virginia there had been rlOtous proceedings,
! but that there had been no such thing in North
Carolina, and he was proud of his native State.
That political equality was one thing and social
equality another, and very forcbly illustrated
ANAL gamation, and showed that no such thing
could be brought about He advised all to lay
| up money and educate their children, and i'm.
pressed upon them the idea to throw away the
whisky bottle He advised the black man to
staod by the Republican party, just SO long as
the Republican party would do highland that
was lis patform-he was willing to take all in
to its folds. 1t was, indeed, good speech, and
embraced good advice to all.
The Committee on Resolutions having made
their report, they were handed to the Secretary,
who was instructed to read them. They are as
! follows:
WHEREAS, A cruel and bloody war was inau-
gurated in Charleston harbor. in the Spring of
SCI. against the government ofthe United States,
in fragrant violation Of listing constitutional com
promises. and, in fact, for the perpetuation of
! African slavery; and, whereas, in tie Providence
of God, to the great JOY Of enlightened Philan-
thropi>ts of all nations it eventuated in the bene-
fcient emancipation of four millions of human be-
! ings; now therefore, he it
/ Resolved That all of US here this day-a day
] hallowed by its associations. and consecrated to
liberty and the political equality Of man with his
feow-urite in one accord, for the achievement
of the great ends in view, viz cheerful allegiance
! and obedience to the government and laws of the
| United States early reconsruction-the adj
vancenent Of the races-the moral and ntelec-
tual culture Of the masses of all mankind, and