The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-01
FREEDgEs'S EpygaroxAl SOCIETY,".
Address by Horace Greeley TO the Coiored
Citizens of New Ynrlx

Address by Horace Greeley TO the coiored
Citizens of New York.
Either the coiored citizens of New York do not
mold Horace Greeley as an orator in very high est
nation else they particularly apatheiic on The
subject of the Freedmen's Educational Society for
II Is certain that the announcement that Mr. Greeley
the veteran champion of equal rights to ali" lie
was designated in the printed notices OF the meeting
would address the colorel citizens OF New York last
evening at the Abyssinian Baptist church In Wayer-
ley place. near Sixth avenue, thai the proceeds
would be appropriated TO the Freedmen's Educa-
tlonal Society, had the effect OF drawing together
| only very slim audience. Mr.. Greeley was,
| however, promptly in attendance, and as he
passed up the aisle to his place on the plat
form under the escort OF Mr.. James j. Spelman
the chairman, he was warmly applauded, as warmly
as such thin audience oonid well manifest. The
Chairman announced that the present was the first
OF series OF proposed lectures for the benefit OF the
Frecdmen's Educational Society, and then introduced
Mr.. Greeley, which was the signal for another out
burst OF applause.
Mr.. Greeley, whose style of oratory exhibited its
usual characteristics of a semi cony ersational
method and slowness OF utterance with an
approximation to q nasal twaug, in commenc-
Ing his address made the apoogetic explanation
thar he was not yet fully recovered from the atgues
OF very active political campaign and on this ac-
count h regretted that he had been unable 10 pre-
pare written lecture; but rs il was, he would talk
to them the best he could for a short time and talk
to them freely and frankly, on the condition OF the
colored race. He believed that the decidedly dark
race were intended for the tropical climate As for
any scheme OF colonization, he was utterly opposed
to IT, He approved OF the eYJrfs OF some to coClze
and civlize Africa, but rs to forcing colonization
ne could IN no way give u his sanction. He
opposed to anything like constralnt. He felt confident
that In future years Florida and Louisiana would
furnish wide field for settlement by the descend,
ants OF Africa, and so, too the West India Islands
This seemed to him the result OF natural laws. He
had no doubt that in the next one hundred years
many would 60 from here to Africa for industrial.
purposes for purposes OF commerce, and 10 turn to
account her natural resources The vast wealth OF
her jungles and rivers and lakes: bur he would make
such colonization spontaneous and IN no wise con-
strained. The day. d the ensiavement Of those OF
African descent had nearly arrived at its close Re.
cent results in this country had given great
impetus to the final and rrevoca5ie overthrow
OF negro slavery throughout tue worla. I. was only
seventeen years ago that Great Britain emancIpated
her slaves. federal Congress introduced mealy-
mouhed provision in the constitution on the subject
OF the extension Of slavery but the possibility OK
emancipation was shown IN this country. There
never was time when there were not anti-slayery
men in this country: but really TO William Lloyd Gar.
rson must be conceded the honor Of the consecra-
ton OF his life to the absolute adjustment OF slavery
and positive pioneer efforts looking 20 this grand
result. And yet slavery has been abolished here
much sooner than any anticipated. Unseen forces
this end. 1t died OF its own potent efforts TO
strengthen ITSELF It was always seeking to increase
strengthen their own Influences and grow more
powerful and richer by its means sought TO do tt
esewhere las As slavery had been Abolished SO the
movement towards equality OF rights with the
whites was slowly but steadily going onward There
carried on by gradual approaches. II was no tri.
umphal march, but rather uphill work. Ffna equality
Of rights was the goal, and 1t was steadily being
reached. The time was coming when the law would
not ask the color Of witness; but Justice with a
bandage on her eyes, would give the same weight to
his testimony as TO white witness. Pursuing this
topic somewhat further and giving instances OF the
hberties-in riding In street cars, for in.
stance-being gwen to coored people, he pro-
colored race lie first urged line Of conduct con-
sistent with true rnanlincss. Sefreiance was
everything to whites as well as TO colored
waiting for somebody else to do something for
them, 10 give them an education. to lend them
money or set them up IN business. Take the hum
blest positions. such as backing boots currying
horses and the strength OF sef-reance gained viii
give strength for something better. He would have
them make these meniai empoyments the stepping
stones 10 higher places. He advised them to learn
trades and TO live for the time being on coarser food
and wear coarser clothing than as servants to rich
white men Capacity always commanded place. and
gineers, pilots and all that Above everything
else he would have them strive to be
come land owners. Congress three years ago
allowed colored men 16O acres OF public land for
fifteen dollars an acre, but yet very few avnied
themselves OF the privilege thus offered oil becoming
or the colored people to become owners OF land.
lie quoted what Gerrit smith said In addressing
meeting OF coored people In Richmond. Va, that II
they would not drink any splrtuous liquors for the
next thirty years they might own half OF that state
From this he launched or into sort OF Fourier
tie discourse and unolded the general principles
ton In Europe and this country. He gave his own
experiences In connection with an association IN
buying land In New Jersey and ADVISED hts hearers
10 cooperate for buying townships. with pun or
yineland and urging his co.ored auditors 10 go and
do likewise he brought ms address. protractcd
through an hour and hall, 10 close