The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-05-01
SPEECH OF MIR. THos. W. CONWAY,


Before the Mass Meeting Of flee thousand per-
sons in Petersburg, Va. epYf
Mr.. Thomas w. Conway, of New York,
being called for, made his appearance and
spoke as follows, in substance:
am glad to be here, and to see such o
loyal spirit exhibited; and to see the doors
of the Courthouse are not closed against a
republican meeting, as was the theatre in
Richmond The latter was closed against
freedom, and open to those who opposed it.
congratulate Petersburg on the noble spirit
which she has shown in throwing open
these doors. 1t is by such spirit as this that
the memories of the past will be buried.
am not here to advocate radical war,
but radical peace. Men will differ, but 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 on this square
last night. There is a wide difference be-
tween the resolutions then adopted and those
passed at the Richmond Convention. Those
resolutions do not welcome the Act of Con-
gress for reconstruction; they simply &C
cept it. The fact that they do not welcome
it, shows that they are not ready to be re-
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
Shelabarger bill. When any one does a
good thing for me, am willing to thank
him for it. H -r
There was one offensive remark in the
speech of Mr. Lyon last night, which shows
that, although they have taken step in the
right direction, they are not far enough ad-
vanced yet They may be in thirty or sixty
days. He spoke of the folly and wickedness
of the situation. You do not call it so.-
This is the reason of the absence of thank
fulness. l think it will bring solid peace
and prosperity.
l recognize the fact that there is great
deal of suffering in the South. do not
come to aggravate these troubles, but to lend
my voice and my efforts to hasten the period
when it shall forever end. I 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 be meeting of conservative colored
people in the theatre. Some of the colored
republicans wanted to put it down, but I
said no; Iwant free speech. If conservative
men are ready to talk to colored men, they
have right to do so, and would fight to
maintain it.
We must have great political parties, and
those who will be most benefited by them
are the colored men. 1 do not use the term
g colored" as one of reproach, but only be-
cause it has not been yet done away with.
hope the prejudice will soon pass away, and
that slavery and all that belongs to it will be
buried forever. If all before me were black
men, 1 would say "fellow citizens" and We
are rapidly approaching that point. 1t will
not be long before you will have colored
teachers in your Schools and equal rights in
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
consider the matter before you go to the
ballot-box. You should go there in peace
and without violence. Show by your con-
duct at that time that you are worthy to vote.
Some have said that in giving you the right
to vote, that they were turning loose pack
of ravenous wolves From my acquaintance
with you, 1 can see no disposition on your
part to act as such. 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
hot ha hnnrb% Gov r,l, g
whisky, but 1 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 new party in the
South. The bill was not intended for that
purpose, but to guarantee to you your rights
and the enjoyment of them, and those who
sustain these constitute a 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. 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. 1would not in
jure the rich, for they have rights, but OBJ
ject to their having whole loaf, when there
are Others starving for the want of a crumb.
You must remember that your vote will tell
until the close of your life, so far as politi-
cal principles are concerned. You are about
to form new constitution and inaugurate
new 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.
Who will then see into all the minutie of
the laws so that you may not be oppressed
If you are not careful in your first vote your
privileges may be gone forever. You must
create 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 preju-
dice against the blacks on the part of the
poor white men of the South than among
the rich. 1 would say to them that this
party IS as much for their benefit as yours.
II they do not become Republicans, they
will never be anything but poor. Congress
has male laws to give the poor man land
All can get 100 acres to-day if be will go for
it. The Republican party is made up of
poor men who defend poor mems rights
Your hope rests upon the platform ratified
tonight, and not upon that adopted here by
the meeting last night.
You should have education. The Legis-
lature the State has kept the poor man in
ignorance. This should come to an end