The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-22

right arm. Must they be educated in order
to vote God deals justice 70 ALL irrespective
of race, color, or intelligence. He. had
prayed fervently for suffrage, and now, thank
God, 1t had come (Applause)
Rev. 7. g. Campbell (cOlored) was the next
speaker, who stated that words were inadequate
to express the desires of his heart-his soul was
filed with Joy. To-day his people stand upon
the same footing as white men. Congress has
declared its intention to the world 10 protect all
races, irrespective of color. (Applause). A field
too vast for contemplation was now open to
them. To succeed, he counselled love and re-
spect to God and mankind, and return OF good
for evil. To secure material prosperity they must
be judiCiOus in their selection oil representatives
to the convention, as only the best qualified, re-
gardless of color, should be chosen. The
reverend speaker concluded his remarks by a
temperate eXhoTtation to his hearers to do
right, and perform all that was expected of
them. If they did this success would inevitably
follow. and they would yet be allowed to enter
the jury-box. They must, however, convince
the white man that they did not want him for a
guide as they had raised a higher standard of
excellence than he had.
MIR. A. w. Stone was next introduced, and
was received with cheers. He began by stating
that Congress had declared them citizens and
possessed of the same rights as he was; they
must, however, prove themselves worthy OF tnis
great liberty; they had now the right TO elect
officers of the State and National Governments
They must be calm and slow in acting, and not
presume on their rights. Much was TO be
learned, for the ignorance of which they
necessary in order to prevent fraud. Com
plants had reached him that justice had not
been done the colored people in the courts. 1t
not the fault ofthe courts that they lose their
rights, but because they neglected to employ
counsel He did not allude to the subject be-
cause he was lawyer. Judicial officers we're
to give them justice, but they must make allow
ance for the preudces of the people. Be patient
ard you will soon be upon the jury. You must
educate yourselves and build churches; save
your money, economic your time, and try to
improve yourself, so that you can hurl back the
lie to those who say you are unworthy OF free
dom.
DR.. Fallgant was then introduced who stated
that he was yesterday requested TO address the
meeting and had not much time for prepara-
ton, though he held written speech in HIS
hand, from which he read:-"In the present
dark and tempestupus times, calm aud deliberate
councils were requisite. just and Impartial
men are necessary to guide your steps in the
first attempts at suffrage. Discord would bene-
fit none. This State was large enough for us
all, and as many foreigners as might choose to
come Congress gives you the privilege to
assist in restoring the country, as both races
must act together. More than six years ago he
was one of the first who raised the banner in
revolution, the first shot of which was the death
knell OF slavery. His prejudices were now
eradicated and the situation was beginning to
be appreciated. We must work In the spirit of
men VINO fear nothing from predicted evils. He
counselled his hearers to beware of demagogues
who would excite them against Northerners
Prove yourselves worthy of your future glorious
career, and worthy the confidence OF your
fellow citizens (Cheers.)
DIR, Cliff followed and emphatcally denied
any connection with the profession OF doctor
or politician The main part OF his address was
occupied in telling story, the OBJECT OF whlcn
was to show the career OF the Union army till
the close of the war, and the after changes pro-
duced by Congressional legislation. He alluded
with evident satisfaction to the recent action OF
Governors Brown and Orr who, he stated,
! favored universal suffrage. He compared the
| South to Uncle Sans legs, in which he was
! diseased. The Sherman bill he styled re
construction plaster" and the military com
| manders were the five doctors sent to hold the
plaster on. The negroes must eConomize and
place their money in the Freedmens Bank.
| He was followed in his address by several
colored men, the pith of whose arguments was
nearly the same as quoted above. After the
speaking had ended the following resolutions
were adopted when the assemblage quietly dis
| persed:-
Whereas The Congress OF the United States
has recently passed an act called the SHERMAN
Military BILL" wherein it is enacted that all
male persons above the age OF twenty-one
have resided for one year in the State, except
such persons as, previous to the war, took an
oath to support the Constitution and Govern
ment of the United States, and subsequently
swore allegiance to the so-called Confederate
Government or have been convicted OF felony,
shall have the right to vote. at any election OF
delegates to state conventions, or city, county,
State, or United States officers which may be
held at any time hereafter and whereas, this
act has caused profound sensation throughout
the country, and will result in great and i'm
portant changes in the political status of a
large portion of the Southern people; there
fore we, the people of Savannah in mass meet
ing assembled TO consider the situation of the
country, and being fully impressed with our
duties and responsibilities at the present
| crisis, do
ResolUed, That we will accept the situation,
and do all in our power to aid in the recon
, struction OF the country in the form and man
ner prescribed by Congress-.
, Resolred That while loyal men and no others
; shall receive our support for public offices Of
trust or profit, we will also endeavor, as far as
, possible, to Danish from the minds and hearts
OF the people all prejudices and animosites en-
gendered by the late unhappy war, to the end
that peace, harmony. and prosperity may again
bless every section of our common country.
. ReSolJed That it is the duty of the colored
, people to receive instruction, advice, and as
sastance from all loyal persons who are willing
| TO impart the same, but especially those who
| have proved themselves the true and tried
7 friends of their race. And that we will, be-
D.. heVing 1T to be the duty of every good citizen,
r encourage in every possible manner any person
, | or persons establishing and conducting schools
s TO educate, elevate, and enlighten them, and we
I pledge 10 such Institutions our hearty co-opera-
l | ton and support.
y Resolved, That we are the friends of law and
= order, and counsel cheerful obedience to con.
sututed authority; that we possess in the ballot.
o box constitutional and effectual remedy for
i | oppression, unjust legislation, and corrupt
administration, andwill guard with the utmost
care the sacred rights and inestima ole priyi.
leges OF every American citizen,
ReSOtCed, That we invite labor and cRpital In
all parts OF the world to come to our assstan CO
= in the great work of developing the 'immenSt
- resources OF our state. pledging them a cordia
welcome, and our hearty cooperation and pro
lection; condemning all legislation tending Il
q discourage their Introduction.
% heSoVed Ihat our faith in the future pros
II perlty and stability of this great republic il
unshaken, and that we to-day swear anew b
" support the Government of the United States
ana pledge ourselves to maintain the honor o
y the dear old flag. - :
IT turOe Ont hot O,,oos. NJ. a--.-,-,