The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-03
COLUMBIA.
Friday Morning, May 8, 1867.
The Frecdmen's Meetings.

OIStTlCIS VI tu0 ObaIo. 1V ID hl6hiJ
gratifying to see the spirit manifested
at all of these meetings-that OF q
perfect accord between both white
and colored who attend them, and
take occasion to express their views.
The Intelligent colored men who
assume the leading part in these po-
itical movements, especially in this
State, all seem to be convinced that
the true policy of the newly enfran-
chised voters Is to not with the white
men of their own section; while the
latter feel equally convinced that not
only policy but interest demands
that all the rights and privileges con-
ferred upon the freedmen by the
laws of the country should not only
be respected, but sustained and pro-
tected, both in the letter and spirit
of those laws.
In Marion, as we learn from the
Star, large number of the colored
people assembled at the Court House,
on Monday last, and were addressed
by Gen. Scott, Agent of the Bureau
in this State, and the Rev. Mr..
French. The &ar says that aside
from Gen. Scott's construction of
law, his address contained much
good and no Objectionable advice.
The remarks of the Rev. Mr.. French,
the Star says, did much credit to
him as representative of the Chris
tian church, and was truthful and
well received by both white and CO.
lored citizens.
Col. w. s. Mullins, we'll known in
our State as an able member of the
Legislature, OF the request of the
colored men present, followed the
above named speakers in the same
strain of good advice which they had
given. At night, both white and
colored citizens met at the Court
House, and interchanged opinions on
the situation, freely and in friendly
manner. The best of feeling pre-
vailed, and much good is looked for
as the result.
In Sumter, General Scott also ad-
dressed the freedmen, the purport of
his remarks being much the same ,as
those he made in Marion. He ad-
vised them of the necessity of educa-
hon, in order to fit them for the pro-
per discharge of the high and
responsible duties OF citizenship.
He spoke of their anxiety to procure
homesteads as natural, but also told
them that they should look to obtain
them from the results Of their o,on
labor-they must be purchased By suo-
ings from their o,On earnings. This
meeting was also addressed by Judge
F. j. Moses, DIR. Witherspoon, J. s.
Richardson, jr.. A. A. Gilbert and
other prominent white citizens and
by several of the freedmen present.
In our sister State of North Caro-
lima, we have similar gratifying evil
dences of the existence of the right
spirit among the freedmen. At Hall
fax, in that State, one of them
James 81. Harris-addressed n large
concourse, n few days ago. His
speech is represented by the news
paper of that town to have been of a
conciliatory and conservative charac-
ter. We extract from the report of
his remarks the following paragraph:
''He said he felt it his especial
duty to tell them that confiscation
was only trap. set to catch their
votes. Excitement. That the
Dutch and Irish boys in blue
fought for their pay, and not for
negro emancipation. Who tells you
that the Government is going to give
you the lands of your former masters,
is knave and liar. If you think I
am deceiving you, the illusion will be
very soon Gspelled. Here the most
intense excitement prevailed-voices
crying out, we want you to tell us
the stark bare-footed truth.'1 [ came
here to speak the truth, and I have
spoken it. have offended some, L
am aware, and to me it is matter of
indifference. The speaker concluded
nv o1vioipcr l,o =