New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-03-19

that my cause was just. How we'll that argu
was sustained, with what credit 1 &C
quilted myself, let The flattering comments o
the New York Tribune, the New York Herald
and other leading journals of the countr,
answer. Suffice 70 say, that even where
sympathy was withheld, respect was freely
accorded.
But, tellOw-cilizens, it is unnecessary FOL
me to recall at this time the incidents con
nectcd with the occasions on which had the
honor to address the Forty.Second Congress
l am admonished Of the fact that YOU arc
assembled to do me honor more particularly
for my recent effort in the present Congress
in favor Of equal civil rights. 1t is, indeed
pleasant to me to know that my remarks or
that question, on the 9th of January last
have met with the highest commentator
throughout the country. 1t is gratifying to
know that my utterances on that memorable
occasion have been endorsed, not only by
the five millions Of people that are most d.
rcctly concerned in the result of the issue
but by vast majority of the dominant race.
That pleasure is increased ten-fold by the
warm and flattcring manner in which those
whom have the honor more directly TO rep
resent have signiiied their approval. My
qualification is also increased when remcnl-
Der that IN our own Legislature the COnscrva-
two Senators and Representatives, with but
two exceptions, recorded themselves in
favor OF resolution instructing the Scna tors
and requesting the Representatives from this
State in Congress to vote in favor of the
civil rights bill, and expressing sympathy
Tor the national convention Of the cOlorcd
race. With this fact before US, who is there
among US that can fail to understand the
signs of the times? Which of us can refuse
to go forward checrcd and inspired with re-
newcd hope and confidence in the complete
triumph of true Republican principles in our
State, prominent among which are these
cardinal points: liberty, fraternity, justice,
civil and political equality?
Who among you can reasonably doubt that
the AnSlO-SaXon and Anglo-African races,
who arc here bound together by the ties of a
common destiny, on whose hearts have been
inscribed by the "Unsecn Hand'' kindred
feelings of fellowship will yet live together in
cOntentment and happiness and mutually en-
joy the victories of.peacc?
| In the recent debate Oh the civil rights
bill, the privilege of replying to the elaborate,
| legal and constitutional argument Of Mr..
Deck, OF Kentucky, and more particularly OF
Hon. Alexander II. Stephens, Of Georgia.
was, by general consent, awarded TO me
| This privilege, of course, brought with it the
highest responsibility. II was felt by all our
friends that this was an occasion On which il
became the colOred race to be represented by
one of its own members. 1t was felt, 100.
that the legal and constitutional arguments
must be fully met and answered. With a
profound sense of my responsibility TO nv
race, to my immediate constituents, and TO
my own reputation as a Representative in
| Congress, l addressed myself TO this great
task. No man could have had more cx-
citing theme, or more exciting occasion.
must speak under the eyes of crowded gal
leries, in the presence Of full house, and OF
many distinguished strangers, attracted BY
| the novel interest of such an occasion.
| may confess to you, fellow citizens, that
l tremblcd for the result, The result need
not attempt to describe. 1t has more than
filled the measure of my ambition. The
| served, have been numerous and widespread.
Friends have been delighted, and enemies
have been forced to concede that the Vice.
President Of the Southern Confederacy-a
man acknowledged to be of the greatest
| intellectual force, and long public expert.
enco--iI.is been met in debate, ana that his
sophistries have been exposed, and his con-
stitutlonal arguments overthrown, by one O
that race, which, twelve years ago, he des
cribed as fit only to be "hcwcrs OF wood ant
drawers Of water" TO the dominant white
a personal one. If it be Il triumph, it is q
triumph for you as well rs for me-a triumph
for our whole race. Aye, more than that, q
triumph for justice, which Sir James Mcintosh
has so finely said, is the common and per.
manent interest of all men in all ages.''
Let me not fail on this occasion, and al
occasions, to do full honor to my worthy col
leagues from this State on the floor Of Con
gress, as we'll as those other representatives
of our race who occupy seats in the national
Legislature. You know with what discretion
and ready zeal the Hon. j. II. Rainey ha:
entered The debates which have arisen from
time to time upon the subject Of our civi
rights. His just, though caustic, rebuke o
Mr.. Cox is fresh in your memory. The Hon
A. j. Ransier has proved himself to be you
Jealous and able champion in Congress, a
} you have long known him to be in othe
places. The effort Of Hon. II. II. Cain, ii
reply to Mr.. Robbins, Of North Carolina
has commanded The attention Of Congress
and Of the country, and has added to th
we'll earned laurels of this distinguishes
champion of our rights. Long may you b,
| represented by men Of equal ability, zeal
J prudence and fidelity. With such Reprcsen
) tativcs to sustain our cause, victory canno
; be long delayed.
| But, fellow citizens, not only have W
7 national interests and national duties, bu
we have home interests and home dutles.-
, The guarantee of the fullest measure of civ
rights by the national Congress is not a
that we mead. That will give us the oppor
tunity only to prove our fitness to posses
1 and thus use those rights.
TIE STATE ADMINISTRATORS
D 81 should fall short of MY duty on th
=, Occasion,n he said, "if did not draw you
: attention TO the immediate and commandin
y necessity of change in the character of OF
h administration of the public Affairs Of th
n State. Fellow-citizens, approach this sui
n ject from the standpoint Of a strict Republ
s can. If there be any man here, or in tn
i State, who can impeach or gainsay my II
y publican record, let him come forward.
If there be any one who can show longer,
: more, untirins or consistent service Of IL
= Republican party, challenge him to appcs
c What say tonight. l say as Republican
standing on the identical platform which Il
e Republican party solemnly put forth TO u
n world as the expression of the political fail
i of the Republican party Of South Carolin
l. on the Odd day Of August, 1872. Upon tn
/, platform still stand. If others have wal
ID dered from it, have not. The pledges CO
Is tanned in that platform are still binding
l. my conscience and honor. Those pledges
Q must and shall redeem.
;, IMPROVED CONDITION OF THE NEGRoE
s. Tellow-citizens, no man can exaggera
of or Overstate the critical character of o
he present political situation upon the forum
re of the colored race. For centuries our h
N tory has beea marked by oppression, in
A. L III