Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-04-19
From the Pensacola Observer.
MASS MEETING AT PENSACOLA.
HON. II. s. MALLORY ON THE sITUA-
TTON.
THE COLORED PEOPLE AROUSED.

THE COLORED PEOPLE AROUSED.
Pursuant to a call in our issue of the
28th, q large concourse of white and col
| ored citizens assembled in the Public
Square at an early hour in the evening"
The meeting was organized, and presided
over by Hon. Chas. Fl. Gingles.
| We will not attempt to give detailed
account of the speeches, all of which ten
ded to the same point, to impress the col
ored people with the in Jury which they were
doing themselves IL separating themselves
from the old citizens by their secret poll
teal organizations. By couple of evil
disposed designing persons in our commu-
nifty they were led to believe that their
rights would not be conceded to them by
Southern men, and that it was necessary
for them to form leagues, take oaths of Sc
cresy and elect one of them. This meeting
had the effect of disabusing their minds on
that subject, and so thoroughly exposing
the contemplate objects of their white
leaders, who live in the community by the
money they Can borrow, or otherwise OBJ
tain from them, that they left with their
eyes opened, discussing among themselves
the truthful remarks which fell upon their
ears.
Mr.. Mallory being loudly and repeatedly
called upon, mounted the stand and earn
estly addressed the meeting. He briefly
adverted to our State, and her PROSTATE
condition, under the recent legislation of
Congress, and counselled submission i'll
good faith. There is no degradation in the
submission of q gallant people when further
resistance would be madness. At the
South where negroes constitute, especially
in Florida, where they will, for q long Pc
riod, constitute nearly a moiety of our pop
ulation, the ballot, qualified or otherwise,
was a natural consequence of their enfran-
chisement-a result which would not follow
their freedom in the Northern States, where,
in point of numbers, they were unimpor-
tant. As the negro was now entitled to
vote, it was the interest of the State that he
should be educated and enlightened, and
made to comprehend the priceless value
of the ballot, and the Importance to HIM
self and the State of its judicious use. The
prosperity of the State must depend upon
the virtue and intelligence of her people,
nnd no wise man will hesitate to do all in
his power to elevate and improve the char
acLcr and condition Of tho colored race, be-
tween whom and the Southern people al
lndestructible Ibond Of sympathy, based
I'upon Il thousand happy memories, exists.
Let u3 fully and franklyi acknowledge, aa
we'll by deeds rs words, their equality with
lie, before the law, and regard it as no less
Just to ourselves and them than to our
i State and her best interest to aid in their
education, elevation, and enjoyment Of al
the rights which follow their new condi.
ton.
/ He then earnestly addressed the colored
people present, pointing out to them thai
henceforth they and the white man must
tread the Same onward path, and their po
lltical and industrial interests inseparably
blended.
He counselLed them against aecret politi
cal societies, and their organization fo1
party purposes upon the basis Of race OF
color, as destructive OF the interests alike
, Of blacE and white while they were met
and treated il q spirit Of manly franknese
By their old masters, and by the Southern
people generally, such societies were only
organized by designing men to abuse then
confidence for selfish ends.
He advised them to seek tho best advice
they could as to questions at issue and the
merits of candidates, and to cast their bal
lots accordingly. Referring to their late
condition, he pointed out to them that
with their liberty they assumed the respon
sibility of supporting themselves and fami
lies, educating their children and of accu
mulating for old age, by honest industry
and that now, when the "old plantation, ,
its smoke house and crib were no longer 6
happy refuge, industry and an honest effort
to show themselves worthy to be calico
freemen, were expected of them by every
friend they had, North or South.
! The next speaker was J. D. Wolfe, Esq
who had served through the war i'll the
Federal army and was an officer in q negro
regiment. He depicted to them, in forcible
terms, the dangers of arraying themselves
as class Tor any man, OF upon any issue,
and reasoned with them upon tho good
which must result to them by their adopt
ing course which would identify them
with the community in which they resided
This, he said, could only be effected by
free and open intercourse, by consultation
upon the leading questions of the day, and
as to the fitness of the candidates who were
soliciting their suffrage.
Mr.. Wolfe was followed by Hays Satter-
white, venerable old colored man, who,
as he said, came here from old Virginia in
1927. He said he was proud OF Florida,
and Fproud of the many white folks and
gentlemen of standing whom he knew in
Tallahassee and other parts; that whether
as slave or freeman he had always been
treated well, and that he did not want his
colored brethren to do anything which
would destroy the friendly relations which
always existed. He told them he did not
want to see them form separate societies,
that they should consult the white folks
and look upon them as friends; that they
must not run into dark holes and corners
and take the advice of those they knew no.
thing about, and that if they wanted to get
along well--'' they must come out of the
shade; come out in the pure air, before the
light of Heaven, and be free men before
God; exercise the Judgment He gave them,
and be 10 slaves as before that day is
passed and gone-the light of freedom
Shines the same on the black man as the
white man-that it was the white mans in
tercst to protect the black man, and the
black mans to make friends Of the white
men, and vote fer the best man" He con-
cluded his speech amid shouts Of applause.
i Upon motion of Mr.. Anderson, the n oet-
ing was adjourned to convene on Saturday
night.
The religious community of London is
promised Il novelty in the shape of ''the
smallest Methodist preacher in the world. D
The reverend gentleman is about an inch
taller than General Tom Thumb.
/ Two men were mortally wounded i'll a
| Eroa1va, So1oon Sunday inbt