Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-08-06

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the breeze. backed up by the declaration OF
independence. One saws that all men are
born equal with certain inaIienable rights.
The declaration of independence backs up
the constitution which says that no man snail
be deprived of those rights without due pro-
cess of law. My friends, yo1 are holding ont
truth to the world and praciicing falsehOod
There has been wonderful change in this
country, and also in our condition. And let
me say that there are some noble hearted
white men and women in this country. And
again let me say to those negro-haters who
are continually abusing the colored people
without cause, there is a day coming when
those wrongs will all receive redress. You
reed not think you can hate all and he net
| hated by those whom you abuse. III you
show love and mercy, you may receive The
same in return. We are very docile. But
our docility can't last always under contIn-
ual abuse Now, my friends, there has been
n great change in our condition III this cOun-
| try, and, hope. for the best i can applaud
Won with those words, i" Well done. good and
/ faithful servants"
Now my white friends. have been some.
what harsh upon you and have given you
/ side wipe. Now l will give my people
| broad-side There are forty millions of peo-
pie in this country. about five millions of
| whom are blacks But we have not done as
we'll as we might. from the very fact that we
/ have not had the long experience OF taking
| care of ourselves and the advantage of an ed
ucational training that you have had.
So the duty and responsibility still rest upon
YOU white people. Now my friends, want
10 come right TO the point What use can
four million slaves be to this commonwealth,
scattered about the country in towns and vii
lagos, scarcely making comfortable living
| for themselves. l want TO impress upon the
minds of You people the necessity of becom-
ing farmers and mechanics and tradesmen
To be of use TO this commonwealth, we want
to 90 put and take up lands and go to farming.
| When YOU do this you will commence gain
| ing ground. Can you not see that when you
commence farming there will be chance for
all kinds of trade among yourselves. In
doing this we arc not separating ourselves
from the rest OF mankind. We will then be
taking a stop like the white people. Where
| ever German settles in the country, he will
make himself a stool-pigeon. and the rest will
all. or as many as can, settle around him.
There they will monoplize that part of the
country. And SO it is with every other class
of peopl'. We settle together too. but not
in the right places. This is because we have
not the right kind of stoOl-pigeon. We as
newly made citizens, ought to move in di-
reciion for the elevation of our people. Now
my friends, there is but one way for us to
consummate any thing and that is to be
united. and as many as can, go out and take
up homesteads and go to farming.
Senator w. J. Corr followed with a
brief and earnest address. replete with
sound advice which if followed will lead
to happy and prosperous future. His
remarks were received with loud cheers.
ADJOURNMENT TO DINNER
After the Senator's remarks the conven-
ton adjourned to an adjoining hall where
was spread a rich and bountiful repast.
and all hands &" fell to- with gusto in
a united effort, to make less the display
of tempting viands.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon proceedings were mag
urated by prayer by Mr.. L. WAsHINGToN,
of this city. and music by the band, after
which Mr.. Books again addressed the
assembly, and advocated the idea of the
colored people becoming farmers and
mechanics more extensively. Tie speech
was we'll received, elciting hearty ap-
pause.
Resolutions were adopted, pledgiug a
united effort On the part of the members
of the society towards securing an educa
ton, or trade for every man, woman and
child among them, and favoring equa
rights and universal suffrage without re
gard to color, race or nationality.
Mr.. p. V. WISE, was then introl uced
and delivered happy and entertainin G
speech. Bas;ng his remarks on the res
olutions jrst introduced, he dilated on
the gittering gereralities of the Declare
ton of Independence, claiming the sam {
rights for men and women, regardless
of color or nationality. He horted the
Ethiopians not to be ashamed to labor
and not to be satisfied with small and
precarious gains; to be Industrious, hon
est and yirtuous, and happiness would
surely be their portion. Mr.. WISE con.
fessad to indirect completely with slavery
by having voted for bad men, and said
if the little blood he shed during the
war would wipe out his sins in this re-
spect, the sacrifice would be considered
light. Again invoking thrift, labor and
virtue, and quoting Shakespeare, the
Apostles and Solomon, he closed amid
deafening applause.
EVENING SESSION.
The evening session was occupied by
speeches from Mr.. l.. WASHINGTON and
others, and the transaction of business
pertaining to the society. A collection
was taken for the benefit of Mr.. SUDAN,
who was injured while firing the cannon
in the morning. All the business having
been transacted, the convention adjourned
10 meet at Hastings on Friday the 9th
inst,
Napoleon and Grant.
II