Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-08-10

.i eId1 a. -EiBg
The Senator is Serenaded at Wash
ingtOn by Leading COlOred
Citizens His Speech.
He Acknowledges the Compliment
and Refers to His Devotion
to the Cause of Civil
Rights.
NFl
His Advice to the COIOred People
in the Present Political
Campaign-Much En-
thusiasm.

WASHINGTON, August 9.-Senator
Sumner was serenaded tonight by DR..
Augusta, William A. WOrmley, and
other colored citizens; number of white
citizens were also present. In response
to repeated calls Senator Summer APP
peared at the door of his residence, and
was greeted with applause. DR.. Augusta
introduced him as Americas greatest
statesman, and the lifelong friend of
the African race. Senator Sumner then
spoke as follows: lfttEI8f ttEL
~. SUMMERS SPEECH.
FRIENDS AND FELLow-cTTIzENs-I
am touched by this voluntary expression
Of friendship, and beg leave to thank
you from my heart. In seeing you on this
occasion think of you only as per-
sOIal friends, among whom have lived
more than twenty-five years. During
this considerable period changes have
occurred of incalculable Importance to
the country, but especially to the
eff. ..l1 coLoRED PEOPLE. 81
When 1 entered upon my public du-
ties here slavery was in the ascendant,
giving law to all the usages of life The
eolored man, though not slave, was
degraded; he was not allowed to testify
in court; he was shut out from the pub
llc schools; he was excluded from public
conveyances, and thrust away from the
ballot-box. But here in the National
Capital all these
TERRIBLE WRONGS HAVE CEASED.
The courtroom, the schoolhouse, the
horse-car, the ballOt-box, one and all,
are open, never to be closed. RevOlu-
tons do not go backward; therefore you
may rest secure in what has been won.
OF this be sure: Slavery will never be
revived, nor will you be restricted or
limited in any of these rights you now
enjoy. Applause, and three cheers for
Sumner Most sincerely do congratu-
late you on these --.- #..r 1eff
SIGNAL TRIUMPHS g-L
so little to be expected when l first be-
came acquainted with you, and when we
consider the brief period in which they
have been accomplished, i am sure you
will unite with me in the hope and trust
for the future. Cries Of 1--WE wiH.nl 1t
is my duty to remind you that the work
is not yet completed, and this will be
only by the enactment of the
CIVIL RIGHTS BILL
which shall relieve the citizen, whoever
he may be, from any exclusion or dis
elimination on account of his color; only
then will be established that equity be-
fore law to which now, for the first
time in our history, all political parties
are distinctly pledged; here there can be
no question. EApplause.] 1t is in their
platforms, andof the early passage of
such law / do not doubt; then you
will have all assurances of your rights
that can be found in the
CONSTITUTION AND LAW.
But that law viii be the cspstone. Zap
plause.1 l shall Lot disguise from you
that something more will be needed.
There must be constant, watchful pub
lie opinion behind, TO see that these are
enforced in letter and spirit. There
must be no failure in awakening and
inYigorGting public opinion. You can
do much. / would almost say you can
do everything. How constantly have /
urged in public speech and in all my in
tercourse with you, that our eolored
fellOw-citizens must insist upon their
rights always,
BY PETITION, BY SPEECH, AND BY
VOTE.
Above all, never vote for any man who
is not true to you; make all allegiance
to your measure of support. (Cheers.l So
doing all parties will seek your votes.
Cheers. You will be felt, and your
cause will be irresistible. Please accept
these few words as my acknowledgment
of your kindness this evening. Cries
of I" go On."] From long acquaintance
you know something of my sympathies.
Cries Of {" we dop'l Always, from the
beginning, have sought to serve and
shall to the end; to your cause my life is
dedicated, and nothing can turnlme from
it; nothing can tempt me or drive me
from its support" The Senator then re-
tired as the crowd applauded, and the
band played several airs, and number
of white and colored persons entered the
house to shake hands with Mr.. Summer.