New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-03
4 SPEECH BY CADET WHITAKER.

A SPEECH BY CADET WHITAKER.
MEETING OF COIORrD VOTERS IN THE IsT ASSEM-
BLY, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF TIE AUDIENCE
WHAT THE CADET SAID.
The Young Mems Republican Union composed OF
the colored voters of the Ist Assembly District met
last nigut at No. 1872 Franklin-St. There was a
large attendance of cOlored men, and there were
also many white residents OF that neGhborhoOd
present The meeting opened by the president
c. w. Mckee who spoke at some length. Hesolu-
hons were then passed approving the nominations
of CART Id and Arthur. The hrst speaker was e1-
Alderman Matthew Stewart.
BY the side OF the president sat quiet. modest
looking Young colored man. His face was intelli-
gent and pleasant. He was dressed in quiet black,
and his whole bearing was gentlemanly. After Ar
Stewart had finished his remarks. the president
arose. and turning to the young man at
his side. said that he considered it
great honor to introduce to the
association personal and esteemed friend, Cadet
Whitaker. As Whitaker rose to speak he was
loudly cbeered, ana the applause continuing, he
was obliged to wait several minutes for the enthu-
siasn of the audience to suoside. Then he spoke
for nearly an hour. his remarks being loudly cheered
He made no reference to West Point He said in
substance
As SO der IL would behoOve me- doubt, 10 be non
partisan. But as patriot cannot refrain from adj
as race we are tehuhg duu Wn"t are we ~ uo III
ourselves II Is truly pleasure for me to address you
aud am embarrassed because feel how lDadequaiey
must treat the subject trust. however. that You
Will bear In mind that am oniy youth and that my
TRUST however that whatever errors may fall into.
will be attributed TO my head and not to my neart:
Whatever words OF counsel advice. or warming shall
fall my lips will come. however from the heart OF
who Considers himself one Of yourselves ana whose
greatest is the coored people IF America
Occupying higher level than that ON which they now
Stand.
with cargo If slaves TO the day when Abraham Lin
n @ ms 6soy has een wr
ten tears OF blood. Shame to TINS iree government
that compelled TO say that from the day Lincoln
issued proclamation to this that history is still beng
written blood auG tears, and America, Boosting 40
much of her freedom lives lie by guaranteeing equal
rights To all her citizen aud yet only partially protect
ing the negro. Applause While wouid re2rei 10
the las one to picture 20 you the hearbroken mother
as her babe torn from her arms and held up as
chatiel tor sale; while my heart wouId snudder 10
point 10 the whipping post with its breeding and dyiug
Victims: while would hide from the gaze OF the young
the picture OF the lash falling upon bleeding quveihg
living human flesh; yet We must turn TO te past 10 see
whenc. came We what previous condition, aud
by con pairing the present with tue past, judge how
much progress We have maze.
Ohcr look TO te past Tor the orious deeds
OF their ancestors and read Of t1eir generous,
manly ac:s IN war and peace u tables OF marble ana
bronze When look back nothing greets US save the
bones our forefahers mCulderng In thousand dis
fani Ips. blackenlug upon thousand hiitops.
their feIOeous bloodhounis Their names stand ON
tables; they wear no earthly h snrss oar
chains ard slavery in foreign country They
slaves without nope and without future; me most
was a widow tomorrow the mother OF one Gay was
chdlesS on the next morning. ana these msiosl9hes
were brought upon them the injustice OF their fellow
OneT can give ns mi Ions OF Voumts hahoeu
down TO them from their ioieatheIs. our ahoeetols
taem VII beautiful thong its Tor which heir uniaught
could Mud no expression Many dark bu, brave
form. whose SOU could not brook the disgrace
OF bow, was struck down by lis cruel master
Like The Indian. the negro has been much abused
but unlike the Indian he loves TO live near cvliz Itlon
Wnile Ire thoughtful man predc.s the oylng out oil the
Iudan The negro keeps tack with CIVILIZATION rev Of
the Indians willing 10 exchange their hunting ponies
fer the ploug and the reaper; the savage flies
before school bell but hing Delights the negro so
much The call which opens 10 am the doors OF le hins
What need, as race Is more cduc1,loh. more r.
lg1on love for each oihef "a people, ana more
readness to open our hearts ana nrsos 10 our nceny
brethrcu Let US stand together; We must shaie our
own d-stines. Whether We are 20 1--we az an ILdepen
cent people ourselves must determine We must ac-
Quro more wealth, more Influence AS pe0Dlc we are
not occupying the position which noble ana ndepend
against ignorance and prejudice.
Years ago colored man was not permitted TO ride
bapusrd ia white church and VI ils IS now done al
thons II may som nr e ,,e t. e. a. nb
negro: NeWY0Tk opens her schools 10 him while Yale
a aoams hITs ~ lights now in the Army Of The
United states as private soldier. and TIE day
graves attest his bravery. and tell that he not
spared by traitors bullets ben the advocates 81 state
Rights rose III rebellion against ms country. Zap
pause . - .. A., , , IT,.
The Constitution OF our country Is TOO Oicn inter
preed Tor fit Of the white man. aud Justice is
100 often bought the Government u not
white mans government Dut a eoFernmcnI o.
the people; aud I1rt or the people, W"
should claim fair share OF the representation oar
mast a. / have SAID dark aud cbreress bu in Tue
future another generation VIII look back 10 us WIN
pflde ana yeneraton. They Wi admire The works OF
fdmonia Lewis; they viii Woniier AT the elOQucnce Of
Douglas; they viii revere that great and good man.
Henry Garrett lApplause.I few days ago received a
note from "A former classiuatc OF mine. d" ] con
eecraea /" he said body mind and soul 10 tie Work ~
lifting up cOlorcd race, aud OF teaching ali men.
white churchmcn and white sinners, that u prescribe
because he is blacks insult to the God that made
him." Applause. snake hands with tins young man
this sentiment, aud advise every young man OF
our 10 endeavOr to be something. TO know some
thing and 10 do something The cOloIcd longs for
tie when It's members shall be citizens ia something
more than name