Evening star., 1868-05-11
Visit of the African General Conference 4,
Hon. Ihaddcu. Stey yenS.

visit Of the African General Conference to
Hon. Thaddeas Stevens.
ADDRESSES on BKKALF OF THE CoNFKRFScK
REPLY OF MR.. STEVENS
This morning, about ten o'clock, the Bishons
and delegates 10 the General Conference of the
African NJ. Z. Church, which has been in ses
sion al Israel Church, In this CITY. since Mon-
Gay last, called on Hon. Taadde1s Stevens, Al
his quarters on south Il street. The Confer.
snee was headed by the Bishops who were
severally introduced to Mr. :. by Rev. John
n Brown, who also introduced by name the
delegates, Mr.. ;. cordially grasping the hand
of each.
After the formality of Introduction was
hrouEn, Mr.. Brown addressed Mr. stevens,
ttaung that they appreciated the interest he had
nken for Suffrage and the colored race. The
delegates present represent ever two hundred
nousand persons, many of them in the Southern
states, which. through his efforts and those Of
other loyal friends, had been opened TO them.
I he bishops had expressed a desire to visit him
who had done so much for the race, well as
the Conference. They had with them Bishop
Quinn, who had presided over their delibe
tions for twenty-fou years. and Bishop Camp-
bell, who GENES from the Southwest In con.
cluslon, be begged TO express, fer the Conference
thanks for his efforts in behalf of freedom and
the improvement of the race, and he trusted that
be Mr.. s. would live to see the efforts he had
mace crowned with success, and the last yestige
Of slavery removed.
Mr.. Stevens, although very weak, remained
standing during the remarks of Mr.. Brown
and replied TO him by saying that he felt re-
Joicec that the day had at last arrived when he
could call them his fellow-citizsns He felt
grateful for the fattering remarks WHICH. had
been made; and if he did not deserve them for
deserve them In the few years he had to live
ne nation owed them, as a race, a heavy debt
For many ages they had been affi icted by griey-
zuces and innumerable wrongs We (the white
people) had called ourselves Christians and
yet IN our treatment Of the colored people we
nave not shown a yestige Of Christianity and
ciyllIzanon, bat we had most cruelty afflicted
our fellow men, In a measure through the
agency OF the Internal regions they had become
free, and were at liberty to cali Themselves
men They should forgive (the whites) for
the grieyous injuries done them and their race
in the past. They had become Joint rulers of
the government of this great and noble
country, ana they should prepare themselves to
act lntelligently. II rejoicad him TO see that
tney had commenced TO educate themselves
and their children. which was an evidence
that they would be good rulers. They should
go on then In their career of religious instruc-
uoA, put must not suppose that that is all that
IS required OF them, for they must prepare
themselves In the schools, and become fit To
rule the world, for some day the whole world
Will be governed by freemen. They should
study politics, and make themselves acquainted
with questions affecting the people and their
government, for they were to take part in all
these things. In all republics there We're two
parties, and they would be obliged TO take one
or the other. In this country one Of these par
ties In the past has been moderately addicted
~ htruOll- NneE the TlEnt OF universal
sufrage prevails, then il will be the friend of
human freedom every where. The other party
has always been the friend OF human bondage
and to-day was Just as much welded to slavery
as II was ten years ago. If they Were IN power
they would Te-eStablish the accursed institu
ton, or one kindred 10 il. After again return
ing ms thanks -pr the call and the kindly sem
timents expressed towards him, Mr. s resumed
his seat
Rev. III. NJ. Turner, delegate from Georgia.
and member OF the Legislature Of that State.
replled TO MI >, stating that II was hardly
necessary TO say that a race. they would
cherish no bitter feelings towards the white
race for the wrongs of the past, but were Will
ing 10 Oury the past, and they had been
treated as slaves when slavery existed, they
only ask now thai they be treated as fresmen
freedom having been established. They he
iieTed that If they Were 10 pay taxes for the sun
port OF the Government. and as they had fought
FOR Its preservation on the battlefield, they
should have voice with the whites They
were anxious that the nation should be built
up, as u had been kept back until this day. and
after " mas been purged of the wiCkedness of
slavery he believed that its liberal ideas would
hll the world, for finally this world will be
hlled oy freemen recognizing one common
father.