Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-04-26
Reconstruction in virginia.
SPEECH OF J. H. Plat, JR.

- ----N-A " - IL 4a1AA 4 snss
We have before u, III pamphlet form, a
report OF TIE speech OF JANIS II. PIATT, JR,
at a mass meeting Of Union men for tie
ratification Of the recent legislation Of Con-
gress, at Petersburgh, Virginia, April S,
1867. Published by the Union Republican
Club Of Petersburg.
Mr. Platt is well known 70 many Of our
readers as Burlington boy, who went
into the army as Captain OF company
Of the 4th Vt. Vols, had a varied experience
of the service and OF rotol prisons, was sub
sequently quartermastcr Of the 9Th CORPS,
and since the close Of the war has taken Up
his lot in Virginia. lie is row tie Trorrie-
tor of Jarretts, the best hotel in Petersburgh,
one of the chiet owners Of the Ports gold
mine in North Carolira, ard heavily inter
ested in various successful business enter
prises in that region. A few extracts will
show the tone of the speech, ard that Mr.
Platt has not forgotten, or gone back, on the
principles Of free and equal nights mstillcd
into him in Vermont 1t VIII Of course be
understood that tie meeting was mainly
composed of colored ciuzIs. After urging
on his hearers the duty Of Organization. Mr..
Plat said
We are IN the midst Of a revolution, and the
history Of the world teaches that revolutions
never 90 backward; that when the great wave
Of progress and human rights is sweeping tow |
ards the shore Of reform, it is useless to orpofe
1t; and those who try it Will he swept down into |
an eternity Of political oblivion
len years ago, who would have dared TO PIE
dict that this audience would have assembled N
this place, under these circumstances today
or that the then slaves would have placed n |
their hands the great weapon Of self protection
which you now possess through the ballot box. |
AND those who think the revolution i 10 stop
here, are mistaken. 1t will not stou until the
eniranchised slave finds himself possessed Of sll
the rights belonging TO a white man and II
Affords me great pleasure 10 testify that | be-
heve all classes now recognize tbs a. inevitable
and very few ieel any disposition TO oprose II |
But you have got TO do the work yourselves.
You ought not to ask Congress to do any more
Tor you Strive for your own salvation now.spd
correct 81 grievances at the bal u box. I h. |
ieve all those who fesr that you will at,frnrt =,
DO 1t IN any other way, have groundless fears.
lou have IN your votes an alisuffic;eut ro,yer |
Of self protection, and you can afford 10 he
msgnsrimous.
Amid the ruins Of the country and the d,s5la-
tlon CT our homes let US resolve that We viii Fc |
guided IN he future by the great priueiples OF
justice and iruih;-equal rights 10 all men mo-
lection OF al the rights dear to cur hearts, tie
eIsl'arion Of the humble the restraint If tho
raE4cTCus al -
the people TO each other by the manifold cords
OF common 81 mpathies and interests, and 10
the government by the gratitude due 10 n ;,s.
and generous guardian ,
And, sir. how are We to do this? The rro. |
cess is simple, easy and inviting. Bv ace,ri;,.-
with chlid-lke faith, and executing with frrc J
aud steady purpose, the simple priuciules which @
the founders CT cur government proclaimed 10
the world, which have oeen profsssed bv an "a
AmeTicsns-even those who strove tbrourb @
:our long years OF bloody carnage and deysst,- /,
ton Il found broad empire, the c rner stone Il
OF which Was TO he human slavery and which y,
the great TsIty which will IN the future control .
me uesunles oi TINS country, have adopted for =
'h.ir guidance ana as their leading uriuclples :,
md beliet The first aud most iuporf.rt L
II these. is the great aud glorious truth ia, u
aH men are created Tree and equal are en- j.
lowed with certain inslienabl. richie - =, I b.
hat among these are - life, hberfy -, - II
'1rsuit OF happiness" Second, that ito iBsnre az
hese rights. governments are instituted anon, r.
men, Third, that " governments derive r. r.
ust powers from the consent Of the governed =, II
D these propositions we have au all-sufi. g.
lent guide to an enduring peace and prosperity -
fin our future legislation we regard these SELF :
vident truths, our posierity shall not only en- =
y pesoe, but teach the world the way to uuI y,
ersal freedom. But if We fail to regard them. AK
cd alone in his infinite wisdom, knows Stat
sArs of agitation. war and misery, We may "a
,tail on posterity. "
Adopt for your political guidance the great &c
,inciplos which have enumerated. and these TAI
hch will Low mention as those hope to see wa
opted BY the Republican party cf this State. Col