Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-01-06

our children, were compelled to send them into
other States for an education. On The passage
oil the law forbidding them to leave the State
sixty days after the passage OF the law, the
children had to be brought home. We were
denied the right TO keep fowlhg piece at our
houses. Even the church followed suit and
oppressed ns The State forbade us testifying
in our behalf. II one Of the white race used
Us roughly, aud one of them was present and
observed the treatment. our lips were scaled !;
Our testimony was Of no value. The church
followed The same regulation as the State
The church established regulation that les
lnony hot receivable in court Of Justice
should mol be received in an ecclesiastical court
When we see We are lifted out of that and put
OIL an equal footing with all men, we can an
preclate our position. II we want 10 60 10
Philadelphia or New Castle nov, instead ofgo-
| ing into. the smoking car, We pay the same fare
| as white man and ride In the same car a, he
There Is now pending in the Conrt, one of
the most important trials that ever occurred in
this State. The Democrats have always claim
ed that We have no rights that white men are
bound 10 respect. They all deny the va
| ldlty OF the amendment, which gave us
The rights We now enjoy. Governor Ponder In
hs last message denied this right The Demo-
Gratis have always denied IL. In the case refer
red to, they argue that the federal government
has no right TO go into the State and undertake
to lay hold Of the officers Of that Stale for fail
ing 10 execute federal provision of the law.
Our rights have been accorded 10 lis and they
VIII be maintained because the army and navy
OF the United States are pledged to the mainte-
nance OF our rights given US by the Government
II Is with us that these rights shall be preserved
some rights have not heen accorded to MS and
1t Is our duty to see that they are. II we are
energetic and careful, We will get thOsa rights.
We are here deprived Of school rights. have
been helping TO school white children aud build
school houses TO educate white children and at
The same time II | attempted 10 send one of
my children 10 those school houses they would
be kicked out Here Is IL right We are entitled
10, and we must mol rest ill we get it.
We must frame petitions 10 the Legislature to
strike ont the word "when from all laws, and
put us on an equal footing with whites. The
United States say We shall have the benefit of
all laws accorded TO other citizens. The white
people ought, as general necessity, go for a
general diffusion Of knowledge among all the
people, because the stability OF the Government,
depends upon the intelligence of the people.
We have been too long looking 10 sea what
somebody is going to do for MS. Let us 30 TO
work at once and see what we can do for orr
selves. II Is our business 10 he nGust rious
and energetic. Let us get our petition well
signed and presented to the Legislature. There
Is no instance know Of in history where men
have been changed Sc suddenly from the shack
less Of slavery to liberty. Get your q,laliflca-
tions to take part In government affairs, as fast
as you can.
Rev. 1ir. BrincKiey Inen spoke in reference
to the i'll treatment of colored men in the low
cr part Of Delaware in times goue by. lie said ,
that In New jersey public school houses are |
open for both black ans, while children
Mr.. Jacob Layton spoke of Col A. ii. Grim
shaw's course in the Board of Education, and
particularly about the Howard school, We
must find men and qualify men to take posi- |
tlons under the political administration af the
government of the State. Suppose The Repub- |
licans get control two years hence. We need
black men to place in some Cf The offices, or
we will los- n great opportunity.
lie was ia favor Of cectlng II Memorial Com
milee TO properly provide for The Emancipation
celebration.
Mr. IL. +. Pickles being called on, made a
speech. lie said this day was second ami
versary celebration Of independence. The State
laws should ha made 10 conform with th- re
quliemant, Of The national constitution. The
petition for The public education Of coiored
children should be signed by every man and
woman in the State, II is possible That he
city Council Committee on Education may run |
schools for the education Of coorcd children, if |
the Legislature refuses the petition. The time |
Is coming when the question of color will be |
laid aside, and the capacity Of a man to serve |
in public or private Offices will he the only test
Mr.. T. G.. Stewart said he believed In acita-
tion, especially in this free country The |
Emancipation Proclamation Of President Lin |
coin was platform upon which The people |
could rally. The Republic rests on the prnc- |
pal that there is no distinction in rights. ilar- |
mohy is necessary in agiiatng question:. Re- |
marx, Were made by Alr. Louis Henly and
other cOlored men, when the meeting adjourned
about II o'clock.