The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-25
pEEcH OF MR. THos, W. CONWAY,

OF NEW YORK, ...
Before the Mass Meeting o. joe '"o0'''"" per-
sons in Petersburg, Va
Mr. Thomas W. Conway, OF New YORK,
.;nr called for made his appearance and
nc as follows, in substance:
an, Glad to he here, and TO see such a
,-oI shirt exhibited; and to sec the doors
the Court house are not closed against
,,hIican meeting as was the theatre in
e!hmond The latter was closed against
raedom. and open to those who opposed it.
CONGRATULATE Petersburg on the noble spirit
uhich she has shown in throwing open
Fhese doors. It is by such spirit as this that
he memories of the past will be buried.
am not here to advocate a radical war,
but radical peace. Men will differ, hut that
need not lead to enmity. The Richmond
press keeps alive the flames of the rebellion;
[ know not how it is with the papers here,
but hope they have better spirit-such as
Will conduce to peace and bind our hearts
together
differ with Mr. Platte in regard to the
action of the meeting held this square
last aiz.ht There is wide difference be-
tween the resolutions then adopted and those
i Dassed at the Richmond Convention. Those
resolutions do not welcome the Act of Con
syess far reconstruction; they simply &C
i cent it. The fact that hey do not welcome
4 it, shows that they are not ready to be re-
4 ceived into the republican fold. see no
resolution of thanks to Congress for their
action. The republicans of Petersburg are
ready to thank Congress for the Sherman
She]abarrer bill. When any one does
good thing for me- am willing to thank
him fo7 it
There was one offensive remark in the
speech of Mr.. Lyon last night, which shows
shat, although they have taken a step in the
RIGHT direction. they are not far enough ad-
vanced vet. They may be in thirty or sixty
4 DAYS. He spoke of the folly and wiekedness
4 of the situation. You do not caR it So
8 This is the veason of the absence of thank
fulness. l think it will bring solid peace
and prosperity.
4 recognize the fact that there is a great
deal of suffering in the South l do not
! come to aggravate these troubles, but to lend
nv voice and my efforts to hasten the period
w!en it shall forever end. [ come, also, to
enjoy the right of free speech When we
were celebrating the death of Mr. Lincoln. in
Richmond. the other day, heard that there
was to he meeting of conservative colored
people in the theatre Some of the colored
republicans wanted to put it down, but 1
said no; Iwant free speech. If conservative
men are ready to talk to coiored men, they
have right to do SO, and would fight to
maintain it,
We must have great political parties, and
those who will he most benefited ny them
are tiae coiorcd men. 1 do not use the term
colored" as one of reproach, but only be-
cause it has not been yet done away with. l
hope the prejudice will soon pass away, and
that slavery and all that t'eiungs to it will he
buried forever. If all before me were black
nen, l would say fellow citizens" and we
are rapidly approaching that point. 1t will
not he long before you will have cGlored
teachers in your schools, and equal rights ia
the courts, liberty and equality for all alike,
regardless of race.
When you are called upon to vote it is i'm
portant that you should know what you are
about and how YOU are to vote On the
first occasion when you will be called upon
to exercise this right, you should carefully
i consider the matter before you go to the
4 balIot-box. You should go there ia peace
and without violence. Show by your con
duct at that time that you worthy to vote.
Some have said that in giving you the right
to vote, that they were turning loose pack
8 of ravenous wolves. From my acquaintance
with yeu Can see no disposition on your
part to act as SUCH 1 would not utter
syllable to lead to violence. Act like men,
as am certain you will. Your first vote
will be the greatest vote of your life. Some
say that you may be bought for a glass of
whisky, but l do not believe it. Some of
you may love it, but you love franchise and
all your civil rights better Learn that this
right is not purchasable commodity.
You are to vote as a rev party in the
South. The hill was not intended for that
and the enjoyment Of them. and those who
sustain these constitute new party, and
the prevailing class need not be alarmed at
this. We have two parties in the North.
and you had two in the South, and the new
party is on you-it cannot be avoided-it is
a fixed fact. Its platform is just and broad,
and all are invited TO stand on it, 1t is par
ticularly adapted to the poor man, for it
guarantees all his rights. l am aware that
there are prejudices in the South against
classes. The rich look upon the poor with
contempt. This ought not to be the case,
for the Lord Jesus loved the poor When
the election comes on, let me advise you to
vote for those principles which give encour-
agement to the poor man. l would not in
Jure the rich, tor they have rights, but I OBJ
Ject to their having whole loaf when there
Il ARE Others starving for the want of crumh
W va Hlu9I lelHcutDef that your vote VIII tell
until the close of your life, so far as politi-
cal principles are concerned. You are about
20 form new constitution and inaugurate
pc" order of things When Congress shall
have accepted the Constitution, and received
your Representatives, those elected under it
will have the power to make your laws to
SUIT themselves, so they are not inconsistent !
with the Constitution of the United States. |
81 VINO will then see into all the minutia of |
sne laws so that you may not he oppressed |
Ii you are not careful in your first vote your
privileges may be gone forever. You must
4create Republican party, embracing all the
loyal men, regardless Of race and color-ex-
Actly such party as We have at the North.
have heard that there is greater preiu
8 dice against the blacks ON the part of the
poor white men of the South than amopo
the rich l would say to them that this
party IS as much for their benefit as yours
If they do not become Republicans, thew
will never be anything but poor Congress
has male laws to give the poer man land
All can get 100 acres to-day if he will 90 for
1t. The Republican party is made up of
poor men who defend poor mems rights
i0ur hope rests upon the platform ratified
Tonight, and not upon that adopted here bv
fhe meeting last nj ght.
L