The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-08-27
]. B. BEEBE, Sec'Y.
For the Standard.
MIR, JAMES IT, HARRIS In STOKES COUNTY.

-~ASS,
For the Standard.
MIR. JAMES H. HARRIS In STOKES COUNTY.
Pursuant to previous notice, Mr. Jas. H.
Harris addressed the people at Piedmont
Springs on the 18th Aug. Notwithstanding
the heavy rain in the forenoon, Il respectable
number of the people from the neighborhood
and the visitors at the place, assembled and
listened to a short address from MIR. Harris
with marked attention while many present
were opposed to his political views, expressed
themselves as being we'll pleased with his
remarks.
1t was then announced that Mr.. Harris
would address the people at Danbury, two
and half miles from the Springs, on Satur-
day the 18th, the notice being but two days,
yet large number of both races OF more
than one thousand persons assembled to hear
the distinguished orator. He was lntrodu-
ced to the audience by j. j. Martin, Esq,
who made a few appropriate remarks, speak
ing of him as a man Of excellent character,
of high standing in the community where he
lives, and famed over the land for his talents
and gentlemanlv dcmcanor. Mr. Harris de-
livered one of the most chaste and eloquent
speeches ever made in the County. bespoke
of the former and present condition of the
races in this country, that while living to-
gether for more than two centuries were in
many respects unacquainted that it now be-
came necessary for the white and colored to
understand their rights, politically and be-
fore the law, and suggested the propriety OF
their coming closer together, but not to touch,
in order that more friendly feeling might
be produced; spoke ofthe absurdity ofsocial
equality, and against violating the establish
ed customs of the country in regard to the
social relations; that in all instances OF break
ing over the supposed line marked out by
demagogues, the whites would break ground
first; that negro would not thrust himself
into parlor where white ladies and gentle
men were assembled, but it was frequently
the case that white persons would be found
at negro parties. That white men would
often declare they never would vote for or
associate with black men, would stultity
themselves by taking drink of liquor with Il
negro and go to meetings OF colored people of
both sexes and be hail fellow well met" with
them. Spoke in glowing terms OF the prin-
ciples and measures of the great Union Re
publican party; the Southern States could
only hope for restoration to their places in
the Union by relying upon the generous and
liberal policy of this party of progress; that
the piebald factions North and South could
effect nothing towards reconstructing the
government; that all their acts were calcu-
lated to do great mischief; that the Northern
Copperheads were hollow hearted, selfish and
faithless-had deceived the Southerners into
the belief that they would assist them in
forming separate government and then de-
serted their cause-were the enemies of the
colored race-opposed to liberal course to-
wards these people and against extending to
them the right of suffrage; that the Conser-
vatives South had no platform of principles,
but were disposed to act in concert with
Northern Democrats and suffered themselves
to be governed too much by their prejudices;
advised all men to bury the past-discard
their preiudices; to rally under the great and
glorious banner of the Republican party, to
march forward, guided by its principles, to
effect a reconstruction of the States coun
seled the loyal people to attach themselves
to the Union Leagues or some other good
order which would be great helpers in the
work of reconstruction and the success of
the party. Urged the people to register and
vote for members toa Convention who would
form such Constitution that would be &C
ceptablc to the loyal people of the State and
to Congress. Told the colored people to
labor more now than when slaves; not to
expect lands to be given them but to save
their money and buy homes; exhorted them
to be sober, industrious and economical and
build up name for honesty, sobriety and
good behavior; that il the confscation act
should be enforced, it would be the fault of
the Southern property holders, by rejecting
the mild and generous terms offered by Con-
gress, and by acting in an overDearing man
ner towards tenants and hired men, by tyran-
nically removing them from their cabin
homes and discharging men from employ
ment for opinions sake. Said when man
hired his time, the employer had no right to
control his vote
The audience was remarkably quiet and
orderly, and listened with profound atten-
ton; all seemed we'll pleased with the eS
ception of a few sullen, sulky Copperheads,
who hung upon the outskirts of the crowd
and "sat nursing their wrath to keep it
warm" and as Sut Lovengood was wont to
say of certain bird that would fly up the
creek and perch himself on the limb of a dead
tree and draw his head in, "just went to
studyin," but said nothing. All passed off
we'll, the loyal people went home delighted.
The Republicans will carry the County in
the next election for a member to the Con-
vention by tremendous majority. M.
For the Standard.
REPUBLICAN MEETING AT WILMINGTON.