The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-13

4 proclamation itself did not make free, or
declare free, all fhe coiored race. It was
only to operate III those parts which were
notin resistance to the Government. Had
i resistance ceased that would have been oil.
4 Ii emancipation OF the colored race bega
boon TO that race land Providence has yet
/ to determine that, It depends much on
themselves. TT It is, I, representing the
southern States here, may claim In tneir
| behalf that freedom was never finally
consummated until the southern States
sanctioned the thirteenth amendment,
which they did, every one OF them,
| They, coming to the conclusion that that
ed the position, and by their acts, and by
the adoption OF the thirteenth amendment
to the Constitution, Mr.. Lincofn's idea was
consummated. Now, as to that institution
which was called slavery, many errors were
INDUCED in and many preiudices. Oh!
that the people of the United States could
divest themselves Of prejudice, that moral
distorting Of the mind; what mischief has
| it.nOt done? What ills has it not caused !?
| What advancement would not the world
have made il it had not been for this thing,
prejudice
OF all the grand expressions Of that
greatest OF American orators, Daniel
Webster, the grandest was that in
which he told the people OF Massachusetts
(when Faneuil. Hall was refused to him(
/" You have conquered the seq, you have
conquered sterile soil, you have conquered
the elements; but you must yet conquer
your prejudice"
Indulge me moment on this subject Of
so-called slavery. 1t was not an unmiti-
gated event; it was not without its ccm-
pensatlon. It is my purpose now, how
ever, to bury, not to praise, nor aught OF
evil to eXtenuate it. II it was not the best
relation for the happiness and welfare OF
both races, morally, physically, intellectu-
ally, and politically, it was wrong, and it
ought to have been abolished. This said
years before secession, and l repeat it yet.
But there is no time now to discuss this
question. Let it go. I have seen some
thing OF the world; I have travelled some
what, and have never yet found on earth
q paradise. The southern States were. no
exception. Wherever have been I have
witnessed the truth of the lines
Mans inhumanity to man makes countless thou
sands MOURN" g
It. was 80 with us. It is so the world over,
so far asSF know. The question Of the rela-
tions Of the races was one OF the most diff
cult problems that statesmen or philan-
thropists, legislators or jurymen, ever had
to solve. 1t is past with us. do not think
it inappropriate on this occasion to in
dulge in some remarks on this subject.
Since the South has been released from all
her responsibility about it, it has been
common to speak Of the colored people
as the wards OF the nation. May I
not say with appropriateness and with due
reverence, in the language Of Georsia's
greatest intellect, that they are rather the
wards of the Almighty They are com.
mitteG now, under the new state Of things,
| to the rulers, the lawmakers, the law-cX-
Founders, and the law-eXecutors, through
| this broad land, within their respective con-
stitutional spheres, to take care OF and to
provide for them in the complicated sys-
| tenn of government under the Constitution
which we live. am so inclined to regard
them. speak OF them not in exceptional
cases, but rs mass. Why in the provi-
dence OF God they were permitted to come
here it is not for us to say, but they have q
| location here; and I can say for myself and
for those OF my Immediate circle OF ac-
ouaintance.. and for the whole southern
people, that there is not one who would
now change the condition OF things,
resubjugate the colored man, OR put him in
the condition he was in before. If there is
one in all thesSouth who would desire such
change am not aware OF it. Men OF the
| North, of the South, OF the East, OF the
West, want to-day, on this commemorate
ing occasion, to say, let us, one and ali,
within our sphere OF duty, whether IN
public or private life, sec to it that
we do not violate that divine trust.
We live in a new era. During the
conflict of arms I frequently almost de-
SPARED of the liberty Of our country. Wars
always menace liberty and often result in
slavery. have always thought that the
union of the States at first was founded on
the assumption that it was the best policy OF
| all to remain united.
What shall we do in the future? Down
South we are doing the best that we can for
the colored people, hoping earnestly that
they will tit themselves for higher cvill-
cation. The flag no longer floats over pro-
yinces, but over States; no longer over
subjects, but over citiZens-white and
black. Why can we not look hopefully TO
the.future?
Mr.. President and Mr.. Speaker, is it a
delusion, is it fancy which l have in
dulged in, that there is another and a
erander future for these United States
than anything they have yet attained
Tt may be a deusion, but it is one OF
which do not wish to divest my mind
while l linger on this stage. Let all
parties and all sections do justice to
the component legends OF our country
everywhere, according to our constitutional
power and right; let harmony and peace
prevail; let sectional strife be done away
with, and then there is higher and grandel
future for US. But il the embers OF the
last and most Iamented war are left and
little additional fuel comes to flame them
up again; if the conflict OF classes.
the conflict of labor and capital, the
conflict of race that profound chronological
question which we have all got to settle
and the most difficult one ever committee
to the consideration of statesmen or philan'
thropists) shall break out, and sefanser
Gus elements be again aroused, sreati,
fear that the recent troubles and disaster
which we have just passed will prove to b.
but the shadow Of deeper and more dread
full eclipse which will come upon this cont
nent, blighting and blasting the highest ant
; best hopes of mankind. Should that be SO
then some future bard may sing: