Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-05-28
A Reply to Senator Wilson.

AT Montgomery, Ala Senator Wilson was
replied to by Gen. CIanton, formerly a Con-
tederate officer, as follows:
"The gentleman from Massachusetts, saws
you (the colOred people) ought to identity
yourselves with the radical parry of the North,
because they have wadGd through a bloody
war OF four years to set you free, to give you
the right to sit upon juries, ride on rIIroads,
testify as witnesses in courts, and much else.
deny every assertion he has made On those
points, aud challenge him to the proof. lie
1sU'saJs tirus tlli1 ,z,r WAS com men ced by the
North TO set you free aud coufer on YOU the
rights which you now enjoy, lfaIsifes the his
tory of the country net Intentionally, hope
The government, during the late war, again
and again declared most solemnly that this
war was not commenced or being waged for
conquest, or with a view of interfering with
our properly in slaves in the States.
Mr. Lincoln urged us to return to the
Union. pIedglng the government to receive
us most cordially. aud give slavery its pro
lection in the States. We we're threatened
with emancipation il we did not come back
In one hand the government offered us
union and slavery aud in the other was re
belHom and emancipation Having gone to
war on principle the South chose the latter
AAAAA
Senator. Nor will he or Gen Swavne. who
Is on the stand, deny the assertion / am now
going t" make, that we could have gone back
IN the Union and held you as our slaves tn
day. You are not indebted to the North or
the South for your freedom. but to God In
Stead II abusing us. you ought to remember
that this rebellion, winch you are taught To-
deSPISe. by your enemies and ours, who only
come amongst you for your votes, Was an in.
strument in the hands of God for vorr de.
iiverance, SO far as mortal eye can devise the
purposes of the Creator.
Tine Southern people DO not envy YOU
your freedom. They would not restore ynu
TO bondage if they could. They have your
well being at heart. did not fire Gun for
slavery. More than half the Southern army
never owned slave. Hnrdce, Cleburne, and
many others, signed petition long before the
war closed, for your freedom, and to afford
you AN opportunity to volunteer and assis,
your white friends OF the South in achieving
Southern independence.
Mr.. Davis recommended this course and
l, III the theatre, III this city, endorsed his
Policy,in the presence of a very large assem-
bly,, and stated that | would take pleasure in
commanding c"lored troops You acted well
your part during that unfortunate struggle,
Tor which you deserve. and have. the graft
tude Of every Southern man and woman in
our midst. gain to bow you became
free: The North aided to free YOU with bay
onet and by military prOc!amutions only as
they believed it would injure US and raise up
hostile element in our midst, and seeming
ly making your welfare a secondary consid-
erLiiOn. TO render this act of theirs valid
and constitutional it was necessary that we
should act. We called together our convcn-
tlonS. and without hesitation made you con.
sti'utionally free forever We also gave you
the right to testify where you are interested,
nnd advocated, in this State House. vour
right to testify in all cases
His party is in power and he is here
aiding to keep them SO. He is here to form
a politicri alliance with you, and what few
whites can he induced to join him They
want Office, they want spoils, and they want
t" retain power. 1t is quite pleasant aud
probable to them. 1t is not because they
love yOu better than other people. warn
you against him and all like him, at home or
from abroad"