New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-05-25

Mr.. Teamoh made the following remarks be-
fore the Secretary of the Navy on Wednesday
Ma SECRSrARy OF TaE NAVY | would say
TO Your honor. that, at an unusually large meet
ing called by the citizens, mechanics, and
laborers OF the city Of Portsmouth and Norfolk
county on Friday evening 26th Of April, in.
slant, having for its object two purposes, TO
wit
lst. To reorganize the Executive Committee,
whose term Of office expired on the Sth Of last
month and
I'd. To consider what further could be done
by way of securing such favors from the Gen
eral Government as would relieve the many
hundreds and thousands among us whose pres
ent necessities are fast reducing them TO a con-
dition of restitution, want starvation and all
their concOmitants We of course put ourselves
to work
Sir, this meeting was reorganized under the
presidency of our excellent Mayor Of the city
OF Portsmouth, and whom | accompany here
he having the double honor conferred upon
him of being president Of the new committee,
and chosen by that body, backed up and en-
dorsed by loyal people, to present their case
here. Sir, you have heard these statements
made by the president Of the committee-they
are all true and occupying, as l have the
honor to occupy, the second position on that
committee, appear before your honor in COM
mon with him, humbly asking that, so far as
your honor's instrumentalities may CO. that
You will duly consider our mission by hearing
our prayer and answering our request
Sir, born and raised in that community, ssd
having spent life of nearly fifty years III Vir-
glnia slavery, sometimes in and often out Of
the navy-yard, | am perfectly familiar with
that people aud on seeing such a manifest
disposition on their part to support that Gov
eminent which freed me aud my fellow bonds.
men, 1t Is with the greater zeal | would press
the object of our mission upon your honor's
respectful consideration.
We ask no donation beyond that which, with
favoring circumstances the we'll muscled arm
Of the mechanic and laborer can hew out for
| themselves But in the absence Of these, We
shall feel doomed to pass through the ordeal
of reconstruction with no other hope than that
which leads to despair.
And l would further say-without, | hope,
being burdensOme to your hOnor's patience-that
the geographical position of our section gives it
every advantage over divisions Of our terri.
tory in point Of naval architecture navigation,
&c. Onr best floating batteries were built
! there.
The Great Eastern, 10 a direct line from
England. has safely rode at anchor there. And,
even as by fatality which the mariner cannot
resist. the very elements drive him hundreds
of miles off his line of trade TO seek protection
behind Cape Henry lighthouse. where he is
doubly safe within the iron jaws of Fortress
Monroe and the Rip Raps. Timber lands
abound in these parts. The monster Of the
ocean Merrimac was fitted there, and onqack
time.
! But do not pretend TO inform your honor
az To these advantages and facilities for in
days gone by, when they should have been
ignored the party in power secured the largest
patronage TO those who labored 10 break up
the United States Government. The God of
nature has bQuntifully spread forth his hand in
the way OF rendering this the great naval depot
| OF the country.
! We are community of hardy mechanics and
laborers. with our wives and little ones looking
/ TO us for support. We ask these fayors for the
sake OF the citizen who makes both sailor and
soldier and we urge it for all without discrim-
! mating against any. We ask it for the white
man. because our interests in this particular are
identical. And We beg ii for the black man, for
the reason that all his wages made in the Naval
| Department previous TO the rebellion have been
| turned over to his master leaving him nought
to live upon when the war broke out but the
atmosphere by which he was surrounded.
/ Bat with this, as with other matters referred
to here, | am fully persuaded your honor needs
! no information from me. But let US indulge
the hope that benign Government. through
your great influence, will stoop at last and
tOucn our complaint.
| We do not forget the zeal with which our
! Congressman has labored to this end, and to
some extent has been successful, but the de-
mand has so far exceeded the supply, that SEEM
ingly all has been unavailing.
And would say to your honor, in concld-
sion, that We are not here as advocates for any
| particular clique or party, outside of those who
have accepted the situation ; and these with US
have thrown themselves upon the progressive
side, declaring it to be their duty to repair the
damages of the past in accordance with the
! doctrine of reconstruction And, sir, it is to
be regretted that certain Government officials
and others have failed to take broad, compre-
hensive, and catholic view of this matter rather
than narrowing down the patronage of this
Government to what is known as the rings"
'clques," &c. And these the people have
denounced, by large and overwhelming MAORI
ties, as no doubt your honor may have recently
seen in the journals Of our section.
Having never doubted your honor's devotion
to those great overshadowing principles which
struck down the tyrant and gave freedom to
America, so shall we cherish the hope that you
will suggest, and have put into operation, some
plan by which the sons Of toll may obtain that
bread, for which we shall ever pray.
And now we most humbly thank your honor
for this kindly interview, indulging the hope
that your days may be many, and your admin.
istration crowned with abundant success