The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1868-06-11
EEWe continue this week the pub
lication of some of the speeches made
at Chicago during the recent National
Convention:

Convention:
SPEECH OF JOHN NJ. LANGsToN (cOLoRED).
Mr.. Langston said he deemed himself more
than fortunate that he had the pleasure of ap-
pearing before the audience The only reason
his friend had introducing him, and for ithe al-
dience calling upon him, was That he would give
colcring to the proceedings. The time was when
they loved to court the voice and vote of the
ITishman and when they loved to draw on the
vote of the German citizens; but, thanks to God
and Grant, they nov called on the negro for his.
In appearing before them he was not unmindful
Of the fact that he represented four millions of
people who never produced traitor. Rebels in
America were not clothed IN America, and II they
had curly hair, owed 1t to the barber He also
represented 800. 900 negro voters who knew no
rel igion but Christ, and in politics, Grant and
the Republican party. Wherever the negro
voted, he gave his ballot as he did his voice for
the party that stood on the Bible the COnstitu-
ton and the Chicago platform. Again, be rep
resented more than 200, 900 black men, who, in
the hour of peril, in the battle between North
and South, Joined the Union army to yindcate
justice and liberty against slavery. II there was
o man In that country who could represent a
constituency with record more honorable than
his, he would like to see him. Though black,
his constituency was In all things American.
They a II stood upon the Bible and the COnstitu-
JlOl, lOI bIuNCIl uGNCT bOuBlb III VIC LNCW
Testament of love. Slavery leaps the barriers
Its asylum is its sepulchre-from heat into the
devOuring flame, and from the voice Of God into
the thickest Of its thunders. In the District of
Columbia there is no slavery; In no State Is there
slavery TO Interfere. And he had the honor to
hear General Palmer when he announced that
slavery was dead in the State of Kentucky. He
wanted, to-day, in the Convention. to get up and
tell how he told the people OF Kentucky that
slavery was abolished. He held cigar In his
hand aud said It cost fifteen cents, and he would
not give fifteen cents for the cause Of slavery In
that State.
He rendered. in the name Of all the negroes,
| to General Palmer, their acknOWe Judgements for
the freedom of Kentucky. The chains that were
put round the limbs Of the negro, were, in the
! proVidence Of God, put around the limbs Of the
whites. He rejoiced to-day that all men have
| free speech free thought and free lOcOmOtiOn.
The moment, formerly, that black men arrived
in Charleston, they were sold. Massachusetts
was annoyed at this indignity TO It's citizens, and
seut MIR, HOar to look after Its rights there; but
the Southern people told him to leave or they
would ride him on rail. What ought he to
have done? He ought to have told them
that he was an American citizen and in the
name of his God and country, he would deny
| their right TO drive him away. But he told them
| very pOlitely he would obey their orders. If YOU
|
isana, you will llnd: mo man shall use in any
! place any word tending TO create rebellion
among the slaves" The preacher, under this
law, could not preach the doctrines of the bible
nor the politician quote the glorious words ol
the Declaration Of Independence. The lawyer
In that State wore q paddock on his lips Now
/ he rcloleed IN The emancipation of his brother
attorneys In Louisiana aud il they would elect
! Grant such padlOcks would never be Heard OF
ugln Tic negroes naturally took the cOnslitu-
tlOn and DECLARATION OF Independence as they did
the Bible. If he could gather from those doeu-
ments u legal Interpretation he would ask for no
! change In IL, for they were made wide enough
10 cover tho liberty Of every man, white and
black. He could bring In opinions from scores
| OF Judges, and among them that of a man once
u stakeholder, Judge Gaston. Some day the
American people. as represented by the great
| Republican party would accept that doctrine.
The negro desired to see the great American
heart beating in unison with the spirit of the
fathers That they might see H. they Joined the
Republican party and pledged IL al their power
aud influence IN the South to secure the election
OF Grant and ColIax, and make the country q
| pure and holy democracy. He would ask white
nlrum ali quarters 10 be as true, and earnest,
and interchangeable us the negroes. II they were,
when November came they would ratify the
action of the country, Ii not, God preserve
thc negroes. He llad been introduced as coming
IrOm Louisiana, but h0 was q Virginau, de-
scendent VI the II. +. VS., but an adopted citi-
zen OF Ohio, where the dead political carcase Oi
the Democratic party weighed them down, aud
where he, and Others Of lis color, were now dc.
niod the privilege Of voting because they did moi
vote Tor the DeulOerats. The courts, though,
would declare IL unconstitutional.