The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-04-10
Freedmen's Meeting.

4 large meeting of the colored popula.
ton of Columbia, S. G. and surrounding
district, was held a few days since, which
proved to DO q common sense and conserv-
alive affair. General Wade Hampton and
others of both colors were the speakers
AS matter of curiosity and general intent
wa publish the speech of Beverly Nash,
colored, delivered on the occasion allu-
ded to:
FELLOW CITIzENs: / have been taken
somewhat by surprise, and am not prepar-
ed to say all that / want to on this occa-
sion; but we know what we have come
here for. I'VE have come to celebrate the
right of suffrage the one thing needfal to
place us on a common platform as citizens.
The question has been asked whether we
are prepared for this condition of things or
not, ] DO not blame our people for their
doubts on this subj ct, because our former
condition was calculated to make them
doubt but whether we are prepared or not,
We are now entitled to vote under the re-
cent law. | must confess that I do not
like that law in all respects, because it dis
franchises gentlemen in, whom we have
more confidence than any body else. and
lorbids them to represent our country as
it should be represented in the councils of
the people. My doctrine is that every
man, whether ignorant or not, who is COM
PEELED to pay taxes. is entitled to,yote. 1t.
is matter Of public policy What we should
be, because there is a dscontented element
in our midst, composed of the ignorant
people Of both classes, which would be
greatly disturbed if they were prevented by
a convention of the State from exercising
the right to vote and we should have a rev.
olution in q tea-kett!e. For the purpose
ofpeace and quiet. therefore, in our State,
| want to see everybody vote except the
women. ] believe, my friends and fellow
citizens, We are not prepared for this SUI
lrage. But We can learn. Give man
tools, and let him commence to use them,
and, in time, he will learn q trade. So it
is with voting. We may not understand
it at the start, but, in time, we shall learn to
doour duty.
1t has been said that Calhoun was mas
ter of South Carolina, Clay the dictator Of
Kentucky, and Webster the emperor Of
Massachusetts. But hereafter we are to
vote for principles, not men. And we have
good men in our midst; men we can trust !;
men who are friends, and have proved, by
their acts, that they ore the friends of the
State. In these gentlemen ace mast haze
confluence, until khey haze proped Mat haeJ
do not deserve it,, / do uot beliere that
there IS d man in his district rho, if goa
wiN reason ,riM him about these things,
arW not agree qcitb wha Isay. We rscog-
mize the Southern acAite man as tie true
friend TO The black aaan. You see upon
that banner the words, United we stand,
divided we fall y and if you could see the
seal Of the society which that banner repre-
selts, you would find the white man and
the black man standing with their arms
locked together, as q type Of the friendship
and the union which we desire. We feel
that the WLite man has not understood the
black man as the black man has understood
the white man and if the citizens of
South Carolina had all acted after the close
of the war as these gentlemen have done
to-day, and spoken their kind sentiments
as freelyneur. State would not regret the
loss OF twenty Thousand colored citizens
who have gone abroad because they had not
sufficient CONFIDENCE e say
After The remarks We nave heard to-day
we believe there. Is a better time coming.
Twelve months ago Mr.. u'bhes said "Fel-
low,citizens, we are willing. to meet you
hall way ana We.afe Siaa to,say that the
represen'a W ana Ruolic men OF Rich
land district nave l'one so on the present
occasion; we feel tliat We are understood
hefe' ana we oeheve tiias coiofed men Will
hereafter enjoy inc rights and privileges
which now belong TO their race. There as
less pre14dsce mere, Jess prejudice ere,y-
tef.e''e SOME or me fosomdc against hte
cotorea mG"' M0n mere rs norm a.
| Applause, saw IN washington "a lew
days ago, men more violently opposed to
our advancement than any gentleman here
and 'ce knoD that he States Of Neu Hanap-
shire, Ohio, end perhapssoaae Others, hare
refused thai political equality achich erists
and has 6ee, accorded IN South Carolina.
1t is our duty therefore, to. identity our
selves with this soil. Here we have grown
from childhood to manhood. Many OF US,
white and black, have been brought up to-
gether; we love The people; we respect
their honor; we know their worth and l
ask whether, under these circumstances.
having the power to Go so, we ought not to
petition Congress to remove the disability
which shuts out that portion of our people
from the elective franchise in whom we
have such long-tried confidence.
! If we are to have a convention in the
State for the purpose Of changing its con-
stitution, let it be convention full Of in,
tellect and power. II the black man is to
cast q vote, let him rest that vote upon q
standard Of ability, and not be contented to
see a body Of men who are not competent
to discharge the high duties that will
be required of them., We known the old
saying, that fools rush in where angels fear
to tread, II, therefore, you elect ignorant