The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-06-22
GOV. DAVIS ON EMANCIPATION.

The Houston Post gives the following
synopsis of Gov. Davis speech at the eman-
!. cPaton celebration at Houston:
Governor Davis said he appeared there as
a lr1snd and adviser rather than to make them
an grafton. He wished to discuss with them
.her progress IN the past and consult with
mem thelr plans for future progress and de-
veloPment When, seventeen wears apo. their
enfranchisement was proclaimed II was
tnought dangerous experiment, and those
VINO proposed giving them all the privileges
OF ciuzenship were thought to be wild theo-
nS!s. nose who opposed such measures
Poih'ed 10 the result of emancipation in
lamalca as an unanswerable argument against
the safety OF such course, looking onlv to
tne good OF the newly emancipated. But the
irienos OF the movement claimed that the real
cause OF inc Slow progress of civilization in
jamaica was caused in the very fact that half
way measures were there adopted; that the
neeomen ana women were there kept in a
state OF werdship; were not fully enfranchised.
but were kept in state OF qualified slaveTv
mat opened to chance of Improvement. and
TENDED to discourage efforts and restrain en-
terPrise. 1t was insisted, and fortunately with
success, that here these black men and women
should be fully trusted should be put unon
their honor and good behavior, with all the
privileges accorded to citizens of anv other
color or race.
Inc speaker was aware that some persons
were stlli to be found lamenting this conces-
sion OF rights, but for his part he saw nothing
IN the recult to cause regret. He could speak
OF this matter as one probably, at least as
n i!.S! responsible tor it as any other person
within the state of Texas, as he had at an
early date, urged it and worked for if as tn.
true solution of the difficult question that wa.
then presented of the proper disposition to be
made OF 1000, COO of human beings, who-and
their descendants for numerous generations to
come-had to remain with US and of us as a
part OF the community. The sight before him
OF tne upturned faces of the intelligent and
well dressed people who were his hearers, in
contrast with an assemblage similar in num-
Ders but none similar in another respect) of
the newly emancpated at which he was pres
ent IN the year 1865 was sufficient proof that
ne nad not been in error. And the speaker
was glad TO be able to say that the doubters
were among those most strenuously op-
becoming fewer. The speaker referred at
length to the work the colored people still
had before them and the duties
they owed to themselves and to the state
That there yet were unreasonable preiudices
affecting them and their comfort be conceded
and stated that as far as laws were concerned
great deal had been done to obviate these
troubles; perhaps all had been done that was
possible to expect from the laws, and now thew
must trust to time and their own good conduct
to secure the balance. Among the complaints
mat ne had heard was that of an UNEQUAL
treatment on the railroads, and, indeed, the
PreJudice shown against them in that regard
was one OF the most unreasonable and absurd.
nf1nn n
has seen colored men and women riding in
close contact alongside of whites in the STAGE
coaches for days and nights, yet, when a rail-
road was reached, those colored people, how
ever Clearly or we'll dressed, could not be toll
erated nearer their late companions of VOYAGE
1hah a distant and separate car. All that sort
Oh nonsense will disappear in time, and in the
meantime the colored people could do much
themselves to alleviate the wrong in addition
to enforcing such provisions of law as can be
applied, the colored people ought not to pat
ronlze any road that is managed so unfairly.
Inc speaker thought respect for any woman
forbaoe her being compelled to ride in a car
where drinking, smoking and indecent Ian
guage could be heard, as is usually the case
~ cars "here the colored people are COM
PEELED to ride.
The speaker added that true friend would
blame as we'll as praise where blame was to be
ound, and IN that spirit, while he found more
place for praise than for blame, yet, in some
matters. he thought the colored people. who
desired the color line to be forgotten, were at
east making mistake. He had heard of
;all made from among them for colored teach
RS Tor the colored people. Now, this was a
evival OF the color line. He thought that
should be the object of the colored people to
procure the best educators, without regard to
olor. A man cannot teach more than he
nows himself, or to do anything better or
nore skillfully. If you have ignorant or ipef-
cient teachers, your education must necessa-
arliy be detective. and you can never learn by
aving such teachers. Put yourselves m
plane with the general intelligence of the
Ountry. OF course, there are coiored teachers
mo are very competent, and who are entitled
special credit under the circumstances. he
ause they have thus fitted themselves. and
ach teachers. as an encouragement to others.
1ould ever have preference, but this should
OF be claimed or allowed on the ground of
The Speaker particularly urged that the COL
'ed people themselves must first FORGET that
sunctlon OF color if they want of her people
forget 1t. They are Americans lust as well
we all are Americans. whether we or opr
refathers came from Asia or Europe. It ought
be their proud boast that they are Americans
ID are now responsible for and fixed part
TINS great republic. Responsible for its
od government and psrmanency. and equal