The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-02-28

hhS"er- ioumace III 70 say, that even
where sympathy was withheld respect
was freely accorded. .tE
But, fellow citizens, it is unnecc sary
for me to recall at this time the Incl
dents connected with the other occasions
on which had the honor to address
the Forty-sccond Congress. I am
admonishcd of the fact that you arc
assembled to do mo honor more particu
larly 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 on that question, on
The 9th OF January last, have met with
the highest coinmendation throughout
the country. 1t is gratifying to know
hat my utterancos on that memorable
occasion have been endorsed, not only
by the five millions of people that are
most directly concerned in the result o.
the issue, but BY vast majority Of the
dominant race. That pleasure is in
creased tenfold by the warm aud flattcr
ing manner in which those whom have
the honor more directly to represent
have signiGed their approval. My graft
caton is also increased when I re
member that in onr own Legislature the
Conservative Senators aud Representa-
tivcs, with but two exceptions, recorded
themselves iu favor of Il resolution in
structlng the Senators 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 eau fail TO
understand the signs of the tunes {?
Which of us can refuse to 20 forward
chcered and inspired with renewed
hone and confidence IN the complete
triumph Of true Republican principles
in our State, prominent among which
are these cardinal points liberty, FRI;
tern'ty, justice, civil and political
'Tn'lity? AH
ho among ynu can reasonably
lnul't that the in.lo-Sa xon and the
,lnHio-.\ \:ricln races. who arc here
t'onnd tu.c her hy the ties IT IL c ,inmpn
e,tiny, VIII IS. hearts have been in
scribed by the '>,Tn>cen Inul" kindred
ceilings o ic!hS>'lir, will yet live to
.efher IN contc"tm.nl an happiness,
and mutually enjoy the Victories OF
peace
In the recent debate on the Civil
Rights Bill, the privilege Of replying to
the elaborate, legal and cons Litutional
argument Of Mr.. Beck, OF Kentucky,
and more particularly of the Hon.
Alexander II. Stephens, Of Georgia, was,
by general consent, accorded to me.
This privilege, of course, brought with
it tho highest responsibility. 1t was
felt by all our friends that this was an
occasion on which it became the co!ored
race to be represented uy one ofits own
members Il was felt. too that the eyal
and constitutional arguments must be
fully met and answered With a pro
found sense Of my responsibility to my
race, to my immediate cnnsti uants, and
to my own reputation as Representa-
tive in Congress, addressed myself to
this great task. No man could have
had more inspiring theme, or a more
exciting occasion. must speak under
the eyes OF crowded galres, in the pre-
sonco Of n full house and of many dis
tinguisEed strangers, attracted by the
novel interest OF such an oc casion.
| may confess to you, fellow citizens
that | trcmblcd for the result. That
result | need not attempt to describe It
has more than filled tho measure Of nv
ambition. The praises Of that effort, as
you all have observed, have been numer
Gus and wido spread Frienls have
beon delighted and enemies have been
forced to cnnccdo that the Vice prcsi
dent of the Southern Confederaoy-a
man acknowledged to DO ofthc greatest
intellectual force, aud long public
experience has been met in debate,
and tLat his sophistrics havo been cx
posed, and his constitutional arguments
ovcrthrown, by one Of that race which,
twelve years ago, he described as ft