Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-02-07

These gentlemen represent three organiza-
tions-the Association Of Maryland-that Of
Delaware, and stronger than these, the Gov
eminent of the United States. A new era
has dawned upon the colored race. You are
no longer things but men men having du-
ties TO perform and destined to play a re-
markablc part in the history of the United
States AS creatures of God, equal among
men, you have right to be educated and
elevated, and to take the position your in
dusiry, morality and fitness may justify.
Your position depends upon yourselves.
You work out your own destiny. Go to
work for yourselves. You will be protected.
Learn to read, and educate the heart as well
as the head, that you may be prepared for
any position to which in the order of Prov
idence you may he assigned.
Capt. McDougall, Superintendent ofSchools
for Maryland was then introduced He re-
ferred in complimentary terms TO the Della
ware troops with whom he had been briga-
ded, and to the lamented Gen. Smyth whom
he had known in the army. He (the speak
err was here as the advocate of the legiti-
mate fruits of the war. When Emancipation
was deereed the entire power of the country
was pledged to carry il out. The Govern
ment and the people were pledged to guar
antee to the colored people the enjoyment of
tuui anu nv w tiut W
self OF to the government who stands in the
way of the accomplishment of this great OBJ
ieci. Having become freemen, you must
prepare for the duties of ireemen. The ques-
ton is shall you live in this country as edu-
Gated and Intelligent or as ignorant citizens.
Every one of us is bound to give you n
fair chance to elevate yourselves II is not
for me to say what you will or will not be-
come. am not the enemy of the white man
because | want TO educate you, and make
you better citizens. We are here to help
you in this intellectual and moral improve
ment. We earnestly engage in this work
and we believe that God will be our helper.
He has said " Let there he light, and if He
is with MS, who can successfully oppose.
Richard NJ Janney, of Maryland, then
gave detailed and interesting account Of
the work in that State.
Major General Il. NJ. Gregory, of the
Freedmen's Bureau, was the next Speaker
His remarks We're OF thrilling interest to all,
recognizing AS they did the just claims OF
the colored man, honOring him because he
was true to our flag when the country was
in peril, and giving t. full account of the pro-
gress of education in the Southern States,
especially in Texas. Your future, said he,
is the study of the whole country. You are
citizens and must therefore meet the full re-
sponsibilty of your position. You are
bound to honor your government by living
as honest, industrious and sober men, and
by being more careful Of your conduct than
ever heretofore.
Thomas Kimber, ,Ir., Esq, President Of
the Delaware Association was then introdu-
ced. He said In substance that although III
felt like stranger among them yet he hoped
before the present year passed away thai
they would not feel AS strangers to eacl
other. His object was not to add anything
to what had been so well and SO truly sale
in regard to the past oppression or suffering
of the colored people in the Southern States
What seemed practically important now
was leaving the things that are behind, ant
to press forward-to organize schoo al
over the State, and for the colorcd people I,
avail themselves earnestly, pcaceably. an,
practically, Of the advantages now oilcrc,
them. With this Object he proposed to-nigh
to inauguratc the first colored school in Do
yer. A competent teacher, graduate o
the Colored Institute of Philadelphia, wa
now ready to come here at once, and as
appeared that arrangements had sufficient,
progressed, the school would he opened q
Monday, February It'll.
Mr.. Kimber desired to impress upon III
colored people here and everywhere in III
State the importance of their own efficient
earnest, and yet quiet and peaceablc co
operation in this great work. Much of on
success would now depend upon them
Their friends in this association would stan
by them in every right and reasonable posi-
ton. The enemies of the colored peopl
were saying that this effort TO educate ther
would make them arrogant and ppesuming
We did not believe il would. But, Mr.. Kin
Der said he desired to assure them that Will
we would take no reirogradc step, an
would protect our school houses and on
rights in n legal and decided manner, yet
was our conviction that inileXible resolutio
, and firmness in action were consistent wit
peaceable and gentlcmanly assertion
our views, and that such course was pr,
eminently the duty and interest of the colo
ed people themselves.
Addresses were then made by Samuel N
Harrington, Esq, and Rev. j. G. Furcl
after which II was announced that eight
scholars were ready to enter at once. Ii W,
found that the new school-house built L
the colored people would not be lare
{ enough, so that arrangements were at one
concluded to build a good two story hous
fifty feet by twenty -four, with handson
cupola and a bill for the requisite lumb,
E was at once made out and handed TO Gcl
T Gregory, of the Freedmcn's Bureau, VII
will forward it Immediately.
With reference TO the denial of the use
:, the Court House, it is fair to state that n
solution OF the Levy Court prohibits il irol
= being let for any except political meeting
q AS this was not one of that character,
of course could not he had The only in
complaint arose from the manifest want
candor in net denying ii at once, and in Il
+ semblng in large numbers to forciby pr
II vent the entrance of the colored people.
nal Il
' staff paid their respects to His Excellen,
!. Governor salisbury. and were well receive
V They had free expression OF their view
: and an unusually frank interview.
subsequently, Mr.. Kimber, us Prcsiden
Z and Mr.. Harrington, as one of the Exccuti'
l. Committee of the Association, had an e.
q tended and pleasant conversation with Il
Governor. They read the address of Il
!. Association and explained fully their pu
II poses and declared that the movement WI
:. a moral and benevolent and not polite
If one. The Governor, in reply, stated that
= was in favor Of the education of the colort
people, if it were done properly that
J. differed as to their capacity for it, but WI
e not unwilling that the experiment should
n tried that he would not only throw no O
!. staces in the way, but guarantee and secu
a to it the fullest extent of legal protection, al
II prevent any effort to interfere with ii or
infringe upon the rights of the colorcd pc
Pile, and that he was in favor of levying
tax upon the colored people TO support the
- own schools. He expressed regret that u
e house of a poor colorcd woman had bee
burned on the same evening. The gent,
men named saidthat they had investigat,
~ the matter, and were satisfied that ii w
) accidental.
e Altogether II may be said that the mov
it ment has been inaugurated under the mo
@ promising auspices, and has met with Il
, enthusiastic response of the coored peopl
= We wish it great success in these efforts
Ii elevate the poor and despiscd
If SMITH.
NEW YORK.
:, From diSpecidl Correspondent.