The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-05-01


heart and hand, and God bless us too. a
he advised, to love one another. Will
that respect to man, let us live together il
peace, harmony and quietude. Ny breth
rem; my friends Of color, my so-journer
to the bar Of God; let US return hearty
brother-likc, respectful answer to Gen
Echols. Let us live in peace and this il
to say here is my heart and hand, hoping
God may lead us to live together in peace.
Applause.
Rev. Jim Scott, (colored local preach
cry spoke next. He acknowledged he
never felt so. Gen. Echols was a gentle
man and had given good advice and rela-
ted pretty fables. He Scott would like to
relate one too, that he had learned when
a boy. It was about the ''boys and the
frog" -theJidea being that the negroes
were the frogs for many years. cloud
Applause) General Echols chad talked
about parties and how we should vote
He (scott) had always heard it was right
to apraise the bridge that carried you over
safely" the Radicals (Grcat Applause
and Laughter.) What is your interests?
To look back and rehersc and see-even a
dog knew his friends: (laughter-) He
recollected when Gov. Wise and Flournoy
ran for Governor, there were two great
parties among the whites and why not
two now? He was for going with his
friends. (Great Applause.) Gen. Ech-
OILS contends that all men North were our
enemies. He.knew some and they were
called "Copper-head they were not
colored mems friends. Actions speak
louder than words, &c, and the Republi.
cans had acted as our friends. Scott went
on to say he had no hard feelings against
the whites had been raised up kindly
and treated as one Of the family, but he
was for his rights-his friends politically.
DowNEY.
The Rev. James Downey, (colored) said:
He felt independently happy, also feels
better satisfied to speak for what had been
said tonight. He desired to give salts
faction to both parties, desired to return
his best thanks to Gen Echols, believed
he understood him and he justified him
Gen. Ed on his ground, SO far as it was
possible. He gave the best advice and
nest beautiful figures. Nevertheless we
ire men, as he says, and we must look at
which is best. Some people look at one
side Of the picture and like it, then a: the
,ther and like it-thcn not satis6ed they
want to break it open and see inside
A gain returned his best thanks to Gener- |
i Echols and thinks it is not the design
# the blacks to make war on the whites
# the South. lie had no envy, hatred or
malice in his heart. Knows the colored
people but didn't know the whites, after
living with and working for them CT years;
hey never talked politics before him Or
rled to teach him, more than enough for
heir own profit. Look at the picture,
ook at it and do the best for ourselves.
He had no prejudice against our white
people. Some are kind, some not. The
Radicals whether they set us free or the
Southern people makes little difference.
Hewon9ers why either never thought of
'reeing US before? The Radical party
las made great sacrifices for us, to give US
knowledge Of the living God; by coming
rom comfortable homes North, to teach |
IS, &c. Southern gentlemen and ladies
lever said or offered to teach a letter or a
word. Again compliments Gen. Eeho,s,
IN his good advice, but regrets he didn't
begin to give it a little sooner, that they
night have been better able to appreciate
lis advices. If the Southern white peo-
Die, during the war, left their families to
1e protected, supported and cared for by |
he blacks. as it was the blacks duty, was
t not the duty, Of the whites when they |
came back to do something for this faith /
'ulrace; to at least help to educate then
But they didn't They said the nigger
lidn't know anything-let him go-the
Eankees freed him let them feed him, &c. |
But let the past go. There had been
enough said, more than he could take in
it once, aud he didn't believe many white
men could either Let all think over what
hey had heard and pray God to give them
to act right, in friendship and
owe to all.
Wright Boiling asked to be excused, |!
le agreeing fully with Downey. Philip
aossclle, chairman, being loudly called for
aid: He had tried to be more respectful
han ever since the war. Before he be-
onged to people who he knew would not 7
ct him be imposed on, by white OF black,
md that made him feel himself. Now
lew duties made him try to be more re-
pectful and he had no complaints to
make. A heap Of folks talk about who
set us free, and some Of his own color al
most quarrelled over it; one said the yam
KEGS did it because they whipped the
South, the other the South did it, for if |
hey hadn't fit" there would have been
40 war and no freedom He believed it
vas accidently done anyway, didn't think
either party intended it, and he was for
making the best Of it Now the yankees
lidn't intend to do it, and Maj. CARRIER
here, l belonged to his folks once, didn't
intend to do it either, for if he'd have
known I'd be free-he'd never s'fit''' nor
any body else. Hoped we will all live III
peace and had no fears from gentlemen.
Men who never owned "nigger,' who
would not have owned one had slavery
lasted 400 years, cursed them on the
streets gentlemen never did. The way
was to treat every one right and not to
mind people who had no respect for them
selves Said he had heard about ssconfs-
cation" and threats to knock him on the
head for going to the Richmond Conven-
1. :. I. IL ~ j