Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-04-12
ArE IouRNAL AND WILMINGTON

our State Government and in
maintaining the national unity Of the United
States zone and inseparable.
ReSolved, Sd, That the education Of the
whole people Is of the highest Importance
to the prosperity and perpetuity Of free re-
publican government, and that we will hence
forth earnestly labor for the education Of
every citizen in our State
ResoIUsd, 4th, That we respectfully and
earnestly request the military commander of
the Third District, Major General John III.
Pope, to order registration and election at
the earliest practicable moment for a Con-
vention 10 reorganize the State Of Georgia
in accordance with the plan of Congress.
ResclUsd, 5th, That copy of the proceed
ings of this meeting be forwarded by the
Secretary to his Excelleucy the President of
the United States, and 10 Major General John |
H. Pope.
On motion of Colonel Charles II. Hopkins,
the resolutions were adopted unanimously.
Colonel A. W. Stone was then introduced,
who spoke in effect as follows:
Ftllow- citifens-This Is the first mass meet
luk III luo Ltu uuIcCOuhllbIlpu DlhAbh VI thS
South in which the white and black men
have assembled upon the same platform.
There have been meetings Of the colored
citizens, and meetings of the white citizens.
Chatham county is the first to lead of in
union of the white and black. It is proper
that we thus should rest on common plat
form. All alike are entitled to vote, and If
we can go to the polls together for the good
of our common country, we should thus
meet together. There Is but one course to
pursue Congress has dictated that course,
If wise, we should follow II. While we may
admire the courage Of the bull that attempt
ed to fight the locomotive, we cannot praise
his Judgment. If we fight against the pre-
sent Reconstruction bill, we shall be destroy
ed. What we want Is reconstruction--to
have a voice in the councils of the nation.
We all desire to make money, Veal desire
to see the State Of Georgia advanced in ma
terial wealth and influence. We wapt 10 see
her commercially and agriculturally what
she has been, the Empire State of the South.
To that end we want emigration, the men OF
capital and the labor, for capital is labor, and
every man who brings his industry or his
money in our midst adds to the material
wealth of the State Our climate Ia unequal.
led and soil unsurpassed in any part OF the
! world. Open wide the doors to all of every
cline and nation, and welcome them will
, open arms, receive them as brothers of tht
same family, and thus rebuild our shattered
fortunes.
Instead of standing outside and quarrellini
T. with the acts of Congress, let us accept then
: and have a voice in the councils ofthe nation
:, and get back where we properly belong.
!, You have heard of General Longstreet
and he accepts the situation, and advises tn
acceptance of the measures proposed by Cor
n gress.
Il General Lee-sOme Of you may have hear
= hina-is converted, and accepts the situation
y y. Come in and let US work together for th
a good of our common country. To my co
~ ored friends, call upon you to prove you
~ selves worthy the great privileges conterre
II upon you. Educate yourselves, your CHI
ii dren, and your influence for good will be ie
40 and sought after.
:, Colonel Charles Hopkins, on being intr
" duoed to the meeting, addressed them in
:, speech of considerable eloquence and feelin
-, Every one was apparently sympathiz
~ with him, as he told his tale of devotion
-, the Union amidst the storm and opposite
~, ~ OF his fellow citizens. Every one listen
to his graphic description of the scenes
1851, and his subsequent experience in 1s'
is' and how, through evil and good report,
had upheld the integrity of the Union
nu these States. His speech was effective,
ny cause he is no political aspirant. HoneI
u breathed through It, and good sense mark
Vi his counsels to his colored fellow citizens.
ION Rev. Mr.. Sims (colored) being loudly CT
% Os' ed for, appeared and said:
'ne This was great gathering; the like
GIG never been known before in the history
on the State of Georgia. You have heard d
OV- tors, and lawyers, and gentlemen of the
n.y. standing, and they all appeared to be
ing tonished at this political revolution VIII
'ar- had taken place. He was gratihed, but
NO astonished, for God knew that he had loo
for it for the past twenty years, and as 81
ON ly expected 1t as that the spring had clot
8 OF with green the treeR that surround this sta
ives The white race had never understood
lge, known us perfectly, because we have aiw
fol- dissimulated. This was q natural result
ave tyranny--of the tyranny Of slavery.
, eff are now free, but we are under no
peel CATION to any man or set of men Mort
ious South. To God We owe our deliverai
,riul and to Him bs all the praise. We will
&c Is port good men. We will elect men in
municipal, State and Federal relations
arks are loyal, true and tined. On short pr
en- ton we will trust the Mayor and policer
full. for we want 1t TO be understood here
God, now that we want no bigoted Mayor an
you brutal policemen; but we mean to have
has aldermen and white aldermen, black pc
trod, men and white policemen, and we will
will the color up like "rum and 'lasacs."
and will send no man to Congress who Is not
afely and who 10 not blind to color. When
rest 20 to the polls to vote, be sure that
your squad Ia commanded by colored corp
r en- and one who can call the roll.
The Rev. Mr.. Campbell (colored),
war introduced, said:
,eace; FsEIoto.eitisens--I will NOT attempt to
new q speeoh-hrst, because l have not time
nmon secondly, because you haye heard so
already that II would be superfous.
reeted have had line upon line, precept upon
nbled cept, here little, and there g great
'yne" We have met under the glorious flag {
United States, and 1t becomes our du
N that saat, the oood of all. would saw this