New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-15
Serenade to Hon. u. II. Elliott.

On Saturday night last large number Of
colored people, as we'll as white persons,
assembled in front of the house at which
Representative Elliott is boarding, and ten
derel him a serenade. After several airs by
the band, ID. A. Straker, Esq, a1dres sed
Hon. r. Ii. Elliott rs follows:
Hon. II. y. Elliott:
SIR: We, your fellow-citizens, have as
semblcd here tonight to tender you our
thanks. in the name Of more than four mill
LIONS of human beings Of the African race,
for the very excellent defense which you
made in the House of Representatives in
Congress on the 9th inst, in favor of the
Massage of the civi-rights bill, securing us
ruual protection before the law in the eXer-
Else of those rights, privileges and immune
Ties guaranteed us by the Constitution. Lam
c,lacc is impotent to characterize the elo-
oucnce. force and analysis of your speech;
and above all our joy, our pride, our graft
,ude for the same. We congratulate South
Carolina for her representatives of color in
Congress. We congratulate her for the
ability, learning, legal and general, in the
person of yourself, which i'm no small man
her is shared by your colleagues. We con-
.,rltuatc the United States Government in
iE,ying as legislator, a fearless advocate of
,uual ri"hts-an eminent debatcr of legal
principles, and a loyal son in the unfolding
al Just Government which shall know its
people only by their merit and vhtue, and not
br color. We congratulate the African race
all over the world, that, TO its catalogue of
great men, whose virtues and ability have
sl,onc in meridian splendor, it now adds the
nalne of Hon. Robert Il. Elliott.
ii has been said that the negro race is mem
Ill jnfn,inr f., tho xyhifa ropo THE copb;o-
try is now ut an end, and by the light which
you have held before Congress, your country
aud the world, men will now read your race
from The pages of merit and virtue. Others
.cf;rfc you have taught this lesson, but never
las The stubborn wrath of prejudice bowed
before the tempest as did your excellent
srerch compel il to do on the 9Th inst. Now,
.r, a. wish you health and strength and
rigor Of mind to contend with the foe. The
battle is not over. Prejudice yet stalks
abroad, and We pledge ourselves like 'Hur''
Of old Thy hand to uphold while the contest
,i,ckc:Is. We do not dictate to you your
daty, We need not tell you our wants-they
ar, S"urs-but VIC ask in the name of God
and humanity that you strive to secure us
recognition of our manhood i'm the equality
al cur rights. We thank the Republican
PARTY for the aid il has given us in the enjoy
:,..ui III such rights as we now possess. We
.Te no: .nistrustful of its further aid. 1t is
based upon The charter of our great country;
it, principles are found i'm its language,
''iai all men are created equal" and that
They possess certain inalienablc rights,
n:nsli~ which are life, liberty, and the pur-
sIii q. happiness" We cOunse! the great
HcI thiican party to fear not what men can
a" the body, but in the purity of their soul
10 ani.h their apprehensions and stand firm
{" principle. In this great party we recOg-
uizr as the great champion of human rights,
Irrespective Of color, the renowned states
man Senator, Charles Sumner. Our gratitude
io His 81 II man is as illimitablc as eternity.
~. nus: teach our children and our chill
slrcu'. children to sing his praises; and the
erca, Ctroniclcr of evepts, who records the
virtues of the great and good for the instruc-
ton of generations, shall couple with Charles
Sumner in craftsmanship, virtue and integrity
tho uame of II. Il. Elliott.
But we have another great and good
friend, who by the sword and fidelity to
,rin.i,.ie, trampled into dust the accursed
and ,ihunan institution Of slavery. mean
General Grant. Long may he live, and may
he. as a just Chief Magistrate, do right
though the heavens fall.
And now, before l close, we thank the
ether colOred Representatives In Congress
,or their manly stand in defense Of our
rights. Their constituents cannot but praise
thcn,, and their country be proud OF them.
We ask the members Of Congress, before
votin. on the ciril-rights bill, to call up by
the powerful force OF imagination the pic
,urc of our suffering on the battlefield, our
LOYALTY TO country and party in high and just
principles, as depicted by our friend, patriot
aud soldier, General Butler.
And how, Mr.. Elliott, God speed you in
all ,onr undertakings in life, and may the
blessings of high heaven always rest upon
you.
Mo. Elliott replied rs follows:
EMiIOw.CITIzENs hail this vast assem-
;iaca, these sweet and martial strains OF
musk, not so much a compliment to myself
aud colleagues, as fit and worthy demon
stration of your devotion to the cause OF civil
liberty and your earnest desire to see the
ca,,, lone triumphantly placed upon the strnc-
tune o. american freedom. AS people dis
tiu,tly marked among the American populace,
W. have been for many years subjected to
oppression, injustice, and outrage. In the
darkest period of Our history upon this con.
tirent we learned to labor and to wait, and
exhibited
That calm reliance upon God
For Justice in His own good time,