The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-06-05


going from committee room to committee
room, and losing rest, for seldom came
home until and 8 in the morning. l had
but little money to defray my expenses and
you sent me no more. raised some from
friends in that City and elsewhere. While
there friend wrote me to come homc-that
the colored people were calling meetings
and heedlessly plunging into political mat
tiers. wrote him that could not do SO,
that never would come home until Con-
gress adjourned or passed bill like the one
which is now the law of the land. l went
to the committee rooms and fought for my
rights against white men and black men,
for know We that some negro men from
Mississippi were there who opposed universal
suffrage-inen, who argued that it was
dangerous, for said they the former masters
would control the VOTES OF our people.
told the committee to draft law to that
effect for Mississippi if they wished to, but
to give us all the right to vote here in North
Carolina. (Applause.) Never, never could
we be controlled in that manner Then MIR.
Stevens, that "old man eloquent" said
young man you are right; | will do all in
my power to help you. (Cheers.) So |
staid and labored in Washington, and raised
money there at the same time to pay my
doctors bill; and 1 think that those, who
are now pursuing me, should hush their
ISLANDERS and let me alone hereafter.
Here Mr.. Harris attempted to close his
address, but loud cries were made for him
to 60 on.
Well what shall 1 talk to you about
What more shall say about the Republican
7 b,r hot 1r,pr
by the principles of Union, Liberty and
Equality, of truth, humanity and justice, !
would stand by it, for in so doing would
What more shall say2 Oh, yes, there is
my Holly Springs speech, of which have
heard something said. 1t is charged that
told the colored people in that section that
they were still in slavery Oaughter.) I
am sorry for the man that started that rumor,
which is so entirely untrue. Now what did
1 say9 1 told them to stand up to their
contracts-to work, and then expect their
pay. That after they had DISCHARGED their
duty to their employers, then they could de-
mand pay, and it would certainly have to
come told them that rather than lose too
much time and money at public meetings,
perhaps they could hold them on Sunday
evenings, upon the principle that there is
never too good day in which to do good
work. Is that the reason why some of the
people and the preachers are down on me
Then let me beseech you all, in the name of
our common country, to lay aside these little
chickering's, and unite your strength in one
grand effort on that platform of principles
which are so dear to our hearts. Our enemies
are striving to SOW The seeds of discord
Whenever they divide us, it is just what they
wish, and it will be happy day for them,
though II sorrowfnl one to each and every
colored man. Then will the ballot prove
curse to our race, and not before. Yes. my
friends, cast aside these little bones of con-
tention. When you have anything to say
against me come to my face and say it. Let
no man go about and belittle another be-
hind his back. There are some, who do 50,
that ought to know better. There is one in
particular. Voices, whats his name -
"call him out.'o No, / will not call his name,
for he is not here But such men are verse
than timber jacks in all their doublings and
twistings. They cast insinuations and in
nuendoes in the vain hope of throwing 9th
ers down that they may rise. Now, let as
dismiss such useless contentious. have
travelled North and South and East and
West and find the people ready. Then let
us continue thus united, and consequently
powerful, until the day arrives when we
shall march to the polls and make our enc
mics knees tremble and knock together for
fear. (Applause)
There has been some complaint also that
I had used figure of speech about ringing a.
bell, &c. Well, now what did mean It
was figure of speech, but meant that,
when the time came for voting for members
of the Convention, that would warn our
people against their enemies and point out
our friends. That was my intention, and
while never expose my plans can tell you
that much at least, trust without exposure.
Then there is the anecdote about the lem
ons. What meant by that was this. that
we would 90 with those who had been our
friends, who had been most generous to US,
but we would squeeze all we could get out of
the week kneed Conservatives. Uaughter(
am radical. hope the Republican party
is radical enough for any one. But do not
wish to abuse the mass of the Southern peo-
pile. The great work to be done is in the
back country-in such counties as Greene IF
I am abusive like some men, who win hear
me in such localities and who can protect
me from violence9 But l will speak my
principles and if in so doing l shall hare to
die, in what better cause can lay down my
life? intend to go to all these dangerous
places, and to speak freely as do here to-
night, and only wish some of the SolomoBs,
who criticise my conduct, would go with me
and talk their sentiments as freely as [ do
NINE l can gain nothing by abusing any
one If rebels will repent, let them step up
on the platform of the Republican party and
Take a back seat. Qaughter.) Now when I
60 down the country, will some of my accu-
sers go with me? (Cries ef no, no.) No,
they will stay at home. But shall go and
labor as have ever done, and I trust your
good wishes and prayers will accompany me-
Great applause.)
Mr.. Brodie then addressed the audience in
fine style, appealing for harmony, and ex-
pressing his qualification at the happy man
ner in which the meeting had passed Off
He knew that Mr.. Harris was square on the
Republican platform, and the people should
allow him to address his audiences as he
pleased.
After some further remarks. Mr.. B. read
the following resolutions, which were unani-
mously adopted:
WHEREAS, The well known services of j. H.
Harris in the cause of freedom and the rights of
man, have made him prominent light in the
State of North Carolina; and whereas, we, the
colored citizens of the City of Raleigh, have be-
held his generous sacrifice of time and means in
our behalf, and witnessed his perseverance, amid
sunshine and storm, in the hour OF prosperity as
well as the days of personal peril; and whereas,
we deem this fitting occasion to render q trib-