New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-17
Far above all price is that great boon
founded on right, justice and mercy:

l. droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven,
Upon the place beneath Iii twice blessed:
| Die sseth him that gives and MIN tnat takes'
It's mightiest of the mightiest; it becomes
The thIoned monarch better than his crewn!
They say that the streets of our heavenly
city are paved with shining gold. and that
the gates OF the city are made OF rubies and
sapphires. If this be so, it surely is in
honor Of those who, after years OF toll and
trouble in this weary world, had still kept
the faith, and were now gathered around
the throne of God and the Lamb, to shout
and sing his praise through the countless
| ages of eternity.
| 1 believe that the day of our celebration
| angels must have looked smilingly down on
that grand procession as it moved along,
| and shouted back to the very throne OF God,
| They are free! They are free! They are
| free at last! They, that you made in your
| own image and likeness, now stand up and
| walk erect in the full attitude and glory of q
man." Many Of them will ere long be here
to swell the anthem of praise and thanks
giving to you. through the great vault of
| heaven, for giving them also freedom and
equal rights during their latter days upon
| the earth.
But now about the fifteenth amendment
Some of you may not be familiar with
how an amendment to the constitution is
| made. will briefly tell you. The Con-
gress of the United States has no power to
| make an amendment to the constitution.
All that they can do is to submit the pro-
posed article of amendment to the Legisla-
| lures of the several States for adoption or
rejection, and then if three-fourths Of all
the States adopt it, il then becomes the
| supreme law of the land.
This is how the fifteenth amendment was
accomplished. More than three fourths of
all the States Of the Union die vote for 1t,
thank God; and now in that old book of the
constitution, which is the great buwark
and charter of our rights and liberties, it is
so deeply engraved and written that it can
never no. never be erased. The President
OF the United States. through his public
proclamation, proclaims to all the world that
the fifteenth amendment is adopted, and
calls upon all the citizens of the several
States to govern themselves accordingly.
II was to celebrate that grand event, equal in
justice to the Declaration of Independence
Itself, that we turned ont in grand process
sion TO show to all the world that we not
only deeply appreciate and prize this great
boon, but that We will also use the trust
conided to our care and keeping. SO faith
fully and well, that all the people of the
United States, both in the North, in the
South, in the East and in the West, will re-
Joice and be glad that so just and right
deed as that Was done, and only wonder that
1t was not done long before.
In your behalf, am proud to state that 1
know tull we'll that you will "acquit your
selves like men," You are all now part of
our glorious country in full communion and
fellowship with the vast army of voters.
Each one OF You is sovereign in his own
right, and do implore you to use the trust
with meekness and humility. but yet with a
proper degree of manhood; no crawling or
bringing now; no backing and filing but
be firm in your convictions of right, and
when you're sure you're right, then 60
ahead"
1t is said that when Charles Carroll, of
Maryland, q member of the first Congress,
was called upon to sign his name to the
Declasation of Independence, some one
said to him, after he had signed it: 20, Mr.
Carroll. You need have no fear; there are so
many Charles CAROLS in Maryland, that the
BTitishers wont know which one it is, and
you will be all safe, even if come of the rest
are hanged for treason to the British |
crown" "Give me that pen again." ex-
claimed Mr.. Carroll, in loud voice. his |
eyes flashing with indignation, and he |
wrote under his signature, ''of Carrollton," |
so that it read. Charles Carroll, OF Carroll
tom sand there it stands to this day 81
want them all to know" said he, ':who !
am, and where l am to be found, and that l !
am not afraid" That is something of the
kind of feeling that l want you all to have.
Be honest, upright, and straightforward
men, and draw yourselves up to the full
highth and attitude of a man, and make
everybody respec. you. Boldly plant your
selves on the platform "That we know our
rights, and we will have them" The Re
publican party of the country will stand by
you and help you, so be fearless and undls-
mayed, no matter how strong the waves of
prejudice against your race may beat around
YOU
We'll stand the storm: it won't be long.
Though the strained mast should culver as a reed,
And the bent canvas. huttering. strew the gale.
Still must we on
1t may be denied to many of you to live
o see the full triumph of the fifteenth
amendment, but little Thomas, William and
lanes, and Mary, Julia and Lizzie, and
our Chidren's children that are to come
.fter you, will live to see it in all its glory.
70 prejudice then, but all pulling and work
ng together for the common good of them
elves and our country.
predict that in less than ten years some
f the most prominent and wealthy mer-
lew Orleans will be colored men. There I
7ill be bank presidents and directors, and
abroad presidents and directors and all
be avenues of trade and commerce, and
terature, art and science, will have some
,ading representative cOlored men. "The
on and the lamb will lie down together" {
nd what is next to the Millennium will
1rely come. L
There will be many conflict and struggle
etore. all this is accomplished, and many {
lust fall by the wayslde, but in that |
truggle, maintained by the wisest and best I
tizens OF our common country, call upon I
Oh TO bear the part of men, heed the lofty /
and with soul serene and con- I
;ious, prepare to tread nobly in the higher 8
aths Of duty, SO shall life be to you truly f
zalted and heroic, so shall death be
ansition neither sought for nor dreaded. I
} shall thy memory, though cherished at !
rst by few humble loving hearts, linger /
ing in human remembrance q watchword | l
I'd incentive to those that shall come after +
1u.
And so, when all the glare and babble of
ire Our age has passed into fitting oblivion r
hen those who have held high places, and
'joyed rare opportunities-hav been
)rne through life on the shoulders of shout J
g multitudes-shall come at last to rest in {
lded collins, the sacred marble their only a
onument, it will be found that some y
lmble youth who, through poverty and g
ii, carved and heWed out his own Oppor- '
mites, has uttered the thoughts which | C
ave been the means of extending enlighten- t
ent and blessing to our entire race.
When Christian, on his journey to the il
In'CAAy SitJ, \oo 10 ICIaIcu III Ouuydu'S | =
Ilgrim Progress ", had reached q certain v
'int, he met Mlstrust and Timorous, who
ere turning back Said they 90! Chris G
an, don't 60 any further. You can not get fl
heaven. We are going back ;" land be- a
des," said Timorous, there is great lion b
the way" and so off they both started back ii
,wn the hill, over which they had Just 4
lmbed with great difficulty; but Christian
ew his shield about him and boldly pressed G
rward, determined to overcome all OBJ
acles, ana when ne got near the lion, a