The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-20


tion of the blacks it was insisted they
were not capable of learning-their
heads were too thick, and their brains
too small: loud laughter.) Now 1
hear that so many free schools for COL
ored children are filed with colored
pupils, taught by colored teachers, that
public opinion is aroused to the impor-
tance of providing for the education of
the poor whites Nay, more in some
places the school houses for the colored
race need the protection of my bayo-
nets and am assured if colored people
could not learn, society would not hate
their teachers, nor fear their schools,
and mobs would not attack and de-
stroy their school houses. (Sensation.)
1 was told, also, that it would be alb
surd to make citizens of freed people,
because they would never know any
thing about politics that they would
be led to the ballot box like sheep to
pasture, without caring whether they
were voting for friends or foes. Now
I hear that the colored people divide
their spare time about equally between
religion and politics; and that they are
almost as particular about the politi-
clan they trust as they are about the
preacher they choose to pray for them.
Applause and laughter. .-.
Here, my friends, is the lesson [
wish to impress upon your minds. You
have to prove, that your race is capa-
able of progress and then you will
have the right to share, in all that be-
longs to civilization. And to those
who look with distrust and fear upon
your advancement, let me say to
them that education to you, as to
them and to all, is more than power
it is security-it is wealth it is re-
fnement it is virtue, it is peace
(Cheers.)
1t is useless to tell me that. J Jamaica,
and Hayti, and st. Domingo, and Mar
Unique, prove anything else than that
the French, the Spaniards, and the En-
glish failed in their colonial administra-
tion. These United States, Spanish
America, Algeria, and the Indies, are
amplifed illustrations of the same his
torical example. AS we'll might it be
said that the pale races Of Mexico, and
Paraguay, and New Granada, are unfit
for civilization, because their political
systems are in constant ferment and
turmoil. You will succeed because you
are Americans. Enthusiasm
1t may be the destiny of your race to
carry back to the unknown tributaries
of the Nile the amenities of civiliza-
ton better than that which tolerated
the barbarism of the bandits who tore
your fathers from their country, and
bamered them for gold. Itseems that nei-
ther servitude nor freedom, neither cru
city or wrong, war or want, time or
separation, have any more changed the
elements of your oriental character,
than the climate of the temperate zone
has altered the native hue Of your AT.
rican complexion. To-day, the colored
race of the South are the same confid-
ing, faithful, and contented people that
would rather bear than resist, that
would rather trust and wait, than to
hasten and compel. Your patience and
faith have been rewarded. Still have
patience, never waver in the faith that
the same gracious Providence that has
borne you harmless and in triumph out
of bondage, will, in good time. lead you
to the promised land of fregeneration.-
loud eheers.1
Political events are near at hand in
which, for the first time, you will exer-
else the high privilege of American Cit
izens. You must try to discriminate
well and choose wisely between the
good and the bad examples you see.
Remember tlIat in politics, as in all
things, an even temper and respectful
demeanor towards our adversaries de-
tract nothing from the ardor of our con-
victions, nor from the tenacity with
which we press our purposes ; equan-
unity and courtesy always tribute to
the success of our undertakings.
Do you remember Abraham Lincoln /?
(Cries of YES" "Yes.') Will you
ever forget him? loud shouts of
" Nc" )" No." "No, never, never."0-.
You must not cease to cherish and
heed the teachings of that genial nature,
those simple methods, the noble heart,
and the guileless example of your gift
ed and lamented champion. Let us all
remember and believe the last words of
his last address to the people he loved
and served so we'll and for whom his
almost sacred life was sacrifice. He
said: "The time will come when the
mystic cords of memeEy, stretching
from every battlefield, and every patri-
OF grave, to every living heart and
touched again as they will
surely b, by the better angels of our
shall swell the chorus of the
Union throughout the land" lGreat
applause.)