The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1867-06-13
SOUTH CAROLINA FREED
MEN.

Ncl1euDer lndC ulc StIouStu VI tuc
nation lies in the virtue, industry, 10y
atty and courage of its citizens. We
must try to vindicate the hopes of our
friends, and prove ourselves worthy of
the privileges to which we have been
admitted. We gained just praise for
our admirable conduct during the war.
Let the history which shines so bright
ly upon us as slaves, shine still bright
er upon us as freemen. We all now
have the right of voting, and this right
finds q great many Of us not prepared
for the execution. But l have no OBJ
to this right. 1t belongs to
freemen. We will be called on next
to register our names as voters.
Next will be to vote for candidates to
a State convention, to adopt a consti-
tuition for our State. The question is
now, whom are we going to electI
Now, l am going to express my views
frankly. 10 this convention we mist
send good men, and the men that we
have been raised with--because our i'll
terest is theirs. If we go down, they
90 down and if they go down, we will
go to the devil. 1t will never do in the
world to send strangers to attend to
home Business. Legislation that would
be productive in one country would be
injurious in another. Mine and your
fortune is yet in the earth, and has to
come out by its cultivation, and if we
don't keep peace and harmony it will
never come out. The white race and
the colored ace are depending on each
other. The white race is impoverish-
ed as we'll as the blacks. They can't
do anything to affect us in the least.
Give our men a trial. Now I will
show you where we can't be hurt. AT
ter the constitution has been adopted, it
will have to be laid before all voters for
ratification or rejection. Then if you
find we have not got equal rights and
justice, l will say myself that our men
will not do as a law-making party for
us. Some of our colored preachers are
going about now, doing as some OF our
white preachers did during the war
preaching more about politics than
about Christ, and you are not acting
wise to take such mems advics. We
are compelled to live in the Southern
States-we can't live in the North, and
if the South prospers we will prosper.
And to do this the white and the black
must stick together. Deal fair with
each other. DO away with all old things
and take up new relations. And let us
build up this broken down country
We must work with honest men and
deal with them. There are bad men i'll
all races.
These white people tell us they arc
our friends. Well, now IS the time to
try them, in the beginning. And il
their friendship should fail, it would
not hurt anybody. Let me advise yol
as q friend to preserTe at all times the
utmost moderation of language, TEN
per and conduct--avoid everything like
violence, and educate yourselves. Th'
prosperity of the South is associated
with the harmony and good feeling
which should exist between both races
The white race of the South is obliged
to be interested in the education, indus
try, thrift and progress of their colorot
population. In this mutual dependence
lies the security of all.
Some, talk of strangers to legislat'
for us. When you think Of that, thinl
of the tax on cotton. And who has tina
tax to pay? Why, you field hands, tina
comprise the greater portion ofthe col
ored population of the South. We ar
very poor, and we must adopt the hes
mode for our elevation. Industry ca
overcome all the evils in u way. W
must quit the plan of moving about ev
cry year. Get with some honest gen
man, and stay, until you get means @
buying yourselves little homes. Blu
will have to work night and day, le
alone whisky, and be honest.
Some say that politics is our grea'
est danger. Rut l dispute that. Tn
greatest evil that could befall us, is th
failure in a crop this year. That is on
great trouble.
We must keep on the lookout fc
sharpers, whether from the North
, the South. Several things have com
!. under my observation which l do nt
like. | will mention one. was at
meeting not long since, and q whit
preacher, and he said he was the blac
mans friend. After the sermon he tol
, the crowd if any wanted to get Marie
he could marry them, but they mu
, pay him two dollars. With me tn;
' friendship is over the left. (Lon
cheers.) (Bully for you and a har
; tack for the preacher
Some say that our old masters a
not our friends, but those men that to
us so do not give us anything. (Lor
cheers. I'VE are obliged Ito work vii
old master. And amt it better to
friendly? [Cries Of yes, yes. l wal
to see mutual kindness to all and frienC
ship to all. [CKeers. My frient
t study your interest right. Don't NAL
G a mistake. l thank you for your inv
tation. / will express my views to Iyo
: at all times when called on.
f Similar views were expressed by Il
d other speakers, and they all urged upo
their hearers the Importance OF goo
n feeling and harmony between the CO
ored people and their former master
Nelson Colclough (%colorcd) said:
Good feeling and harmony shou
d exist between both races. We have
right to our belief. indorse the pc
cy of the speaker. We must take Il
|, advice best for our elevation. God h
d been on Il side. Now We must Ia
IS self-interest.
1T Alfred Davis colored followed a
ir said:
Wesberry gives us good advice.
strangers to legislatc for me. LILO
choora