Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-23

OF this nrti0n have paccdthem. Ihcyappeai
t. You and 20 me, to see that they receive that
protection which alone will enable them 10
pursue their daily avOcatiOns with success,
and ENJOY the liberties of citizenship on the
same footing with their white ncighbors and
friends do not desire simply to defend my
own race from unjust and unmerited charges,
but also desire TO place upon record the ex-
preston OF my full and entire confidence IN
the integrity OF purpose with which believe
the President Congress and the Republican
party Will meet these questions so prolific of
veal or woe. not only to my own people, but
to the whole South They have been, so far
As can read the history of the times, infiamed
by no spirit Of petty tyranny. The poet has
well said, 20, it is excellent to have "A giant.
strength hut IT is tyrannous to use it like n
giant. And how have they used that power
lodged in them by the people? In acts of
cruelty and oppression toward those who
sought to rend in twain this goodly fabric of
our fathcrs-priceless heritage Of so much
hardship and endurance in revolutionary
times? Let reconstruction enactmcnts answer
the interrogation. If certain class of the
South had accepted in good faith the boncvo-
lent ovcrtures which were offered To them
with no niggard hand to-day would not find
our land still harrusscd with tcud> and Contrn
tons. | remarked, Mr.. Pres dent, that rose
10 Fltau LOT pTOtSctl'n LOT Il utItUCtItsS pth-
pie who now send their delegation to the seat
OF Government to sue for that which this Con
gress atone can secure 10 them. And here.
let me say further, that the people of the North
owe TO the colored race deep obligations.
which il is no easy matter to fulfill When
the Federal armies were Trimmed by death and
disaster, and sombre clouds overhung the
length and breadth of the Republic, and the
very air was pregnant with rumor OF foreign
iutcrtcrcncc--in those dark days of defeat
whose memories yet haunt Us as ugly dreams.
from what source did our nation. III It's SEEM
ing death throes. gain add tional and new found
power: 1t was the sable sons of the South that
voluntarily rushed To the rescue; and but for
their intrcpidty and ardent darling many
Northern trecholds would miss to-day patcr
nal counsel or a brothers love. Sir, repeat
the fact that the colOrcd race saved to the noble
women OF New England and the Middle States
many whom they lean upon to-day for security
and safety. Many of my race. the rrprescn-
tativrs of these men on the field of battle sleep
IN countless graves ut the South. If those
quiet resting places of our honorcd dead could
speak to-day. what a mighty voice, like To
the rushing of mighty wind would come mp
from those >cpuchral homes. Could We resist
the eloquent plradingS of their appeal Oh, si-.
| think that this question of immediate and
! ample protection for the loyal people of Gror-
gid would lose Ms legal technicalitcs, and we
would cease to hesitate in our provisions for
+ their instant relief Mr.. Rcvcl> then view, d
the history OF the reconstruction of Georgia.
and proceeded to speak against Mr.. Bingham
amendment, which he said would lcgaliLe the
organization OF Legislature in ISIS. and the
/ appointment of the Judge who had decided in
favor of class distinction in the State. As a
means of future protection for loyal Gcorgian>.
tI,.,. "a