Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-12-29

work that is without "a parallel IN history
was done IN the southern plantations-a
work that was BEGUN by snch men as
Bishop Capers, of South Cirolia. Lovick
Pierce, and Bishop Andrew. of Georgia,
and by men like minded with them-a
work whose expenses were met ~ the
slave holders themselves-a work that
resulted in the Christlanizing of full
half million of the African people who
became COMMITMENTS of our churches,
and of nearly the whole four or hive
millions who were brought Ergely under
the influence of our holy religion,
have nothing to say at this time oil
the particular "war measure' that brought
about their immediate and unconditional
Acknowledgement, only that it Is history,
and that it is done for once and for all.
am not called on, in order to justify my
position, to approve the political unwis-
dom of suddenly placing the ballot in the
hands of. nearly million of unqualified
men-only that, since i, is done, this also
is history that we 49, the south should
accept, and that our - v-cltlzens oil Inc
north should never dl-,u'0. But all these
things, bad as they may have been, and
and unfortunate rs they may yet be, are
only identical to the one great historic
fact, MH Sdtrery EXISTS no more. FOR
this fact | devoutly thank God this day
And on many accouts:
l. For the negroes themselves. While
they have suffered and will suffer many
things in their struggle for existence, do.
nevertheless, believe that in the long run
j, is hest for them. How soon they shall
realize the possibilities of their new
relations depends largely, perhaps most.
on themselves. Much depends on these
who under God, set them free. BY every
token This whole nation should undertake
the problem of their education. That
problem will have to he worked out on tn"
basis of 60 operation; that Is, they must
he helped TO help themselves. 10 make
heir education an absolute gratulty viii
IN rpetutte many OF the misconceptions
and weaknesse, of chtracer which now
pmblrrass and hinder their progress
Much also denends Upon the southern
white people their sympathy. their JUS
lice. their wise and helpful corporation.
rbis we should give them, not reluctantly,
Int gladly, for their good and for the
srfety of all, for their elevation ana Tor
the glory of God Ii wv we may do TINS
NAV be matter for discussion hereafter.
9 | am grateful that slavery no longer
exists, because it is better TOR the whi'"
| p.ople of the south, 1t Is better Tor III
| industries and our business, rs proved ny
the crops that free labor makes. But IN
rminence it is better for our social and
ethical development We will now begin
10 axe our right place among oolh "u'
conservative and aggressive forces OF the
civilized and Christian world.
am grateful because it is unspchk
nbIy better for our children and children :
children. 1t is better for them in II thou
sand ways. have not time for 'il-cnsslon
in detail now. Bat this, if nothing else,
proves the truth OF my position; there are
more white children ut work III the south
to.duy than even helOle. Aud this goes
far to account for he SIX milton Dale, ol
lection. Oar children are growing up Il
lbeljeye that idlenes- is va4ahondage. Ono
tuh.r thinu [ wish to say before lrav'n.
mis- point. We hear much about thu
disadvantages to our children of lcav'n
hem among several uilnns of free Im"n
tecouuiz4 them, and feet them; hut
wouM ratnrr te,ve NV ohl'i'rn am NJ
several millions t nee n"groc> THAI
among several millions of ne9roes II
slavery.
DOES any one say tn me this day: Ym
have got new light; you have ch'ngr'
the o. iniohs you entertained twenty year
,uop" | answer humbll, hut gratefully
aud without qualifications, htce 90 new
uuht do nov believe miny things tn It
dill no, believe twenty years ago. More
over. if 1t please God To spare me in lhl
world ~ enty years longer. l hope Il
nave, ON m my difficult problems, mon
new light. expect, if | see the dawn q
the wear 1900, To believe some thihS
hat now reject, and to reject som
Lhings that | now believe. And l va
no. be alone.
In conclusion. ask you to indulge IN
| IN "A few reflections that are, believe, ap
propriate 10 this occasion.
And first, rs u people, let us of tn
, south frankly recognize some OF our fault
:, md lacks, and try to improve. kno
THIS is II hard task. And II is all III
5, harder because we are the subjects of :
y much Remuneration and misrepresentation
nv our critics of the northern states an
OF other countries. Much of this com,
- through sincere ignorance; much of
through the necessities of party politics
- some of it, fear, through sinful hatred
II and much of it through habit. Many ia,
50 long thrown stone, at US that ii hi
-. become habit to do so. The rath,
~ Pharlsaic attitude that many public me
:, al the north have assumed toward Us ht
= greatly embarrassed and arrested o,
- efforts to discover our faults and to amen
:, hem. But all this only furnishes II reasC
for beginning the soon and trying II
~ harder What is really good-tnd the
~ Is much that is good let us stand by, al
;. make ii better il we can.
:. These are some unpleasant things tn
=, ought 10 BIZ said They are ON my consc
, ence.
y, First, then, let us endeavor to overcon
,s our intense provincialIsm. We are TOO VT
in satisfied with ourselves. We think hett,
Of ourselves than the facts OF our hlstol
ID and our present State oi progress Juslii
~ Some OF lis are nearly OF The same oplnlt
n that the words ''Ihe south' is synony
ii for universe. AS II people we have n
r enough felt the heartbeat of the wor
a, outside of u.s. We have been largely sh
90 OFT from that world. Slavery dld tins, NJ
nj This suggests another reason for glatllu'
n ! -
to provincial, less shut in ny and with o.
an own ideas, had we known the world bette
in we would have known ourselves bellt
r. and there would have been no war
s 1861.
M. Secondly, there is II vast mass of illite
q. acy among us. There is II Wine MS w
of rs black llIiteracy. There are multpll
r.. thous .nds who can neither read or wri
nv They must be- Taught.
err Thirdly, let us recognize our want of
40. literature. We have not done much
mt this line of things. 1t is too obvious
he dispute abont, 1T is too painful to DIV
III upon.
nd Fuurthly, let us wake up to our want
". educational facilities. Oar puoIc Sch
nd system Is painfully inadequate. Our c
mr. leges and universities are uneuduwed, :,
,n they struggle against fearful oil Is in tn
mi effort 10 Ito their work We are one hu
ire dred years behind the cas- crn and md,
an states. We are also behind many OF /
.lv new states OF the west.
h. Filthy, consider how behind hand
iii are with our manufacturing interests.
I'm provnclalism, our want OF literature, [
il lack of educ ttlonal facilities and {
mr. manufactures, like our lack of Populate