The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-28

Georgia Yankee as he squeezes pure olive oil out
of his cotton seed, against any down Easter
that ever snapped wooden nutmegs for flannel
sausaees in the valleys of Vermont. Above all,
we know that We have achieved III these piping
times of peace fuller independence for the
South than that which our fathers sought to win
iI the forum By their eioqqence or compel on
the field by their swords. Loud applause.
1t is rare privilege. sir, to have had part,
however humble, in this work. Never was no
bier duty confded TO human hands than the mp
lifting and up-buildinc of the PROSTATE and
bleeding South-misguided, perhaps. but beauti-
full in her suffering, and honest, brave and gen
erous always Applause. In the record OF
her social industrial and political restoration
we await with confidence the verdict of the
world
But what of the negrol Have we solved tho
problem he presents, or progressed in honor and
equity toward its Solutiong Let the record
speak to this point. No section shows a more
prosperous laboring population than the negroes
of the South, none in fuller sympathy with the
employing and land-ownng class. He shares
our school fund has the fullest protection OF our
laws and the friendship of our people. Self-in-
terest as we'll as honor demand that he should
have this. Our future, our very existence do
pend upon our working out this problem in
full and exact justice. We understand that
when Lincoln signed the Emancipation Procla-
nation your victory was assured for he then
committed you to the cause of human liberty
against which the arms of man cannot prevail
Applause while those of our statesmen who
made slavery the cornerstone of the Confeder-
acy doomed US to defeat. committing us TO q
cause that reason could not defend or the sword
maintain in the light of advancing civilization
Renewed applause.l Had Mr.. Toombs said.
which he did not saw, that he would call the roll
of his slaves at the foot of Bunker HILL he would
have been foolish, for he might have known that
whenever slavery became entangled in war il
must perish, and that the chattel in human flesh
ended forever in New England when your faith
ers-not TO be blamed for parting with what
didn't pay-sold their slaves to our fathers-not
to be praised for knowing paying thing when
they saw 1t. daughter. The relations of the
Southern people with the negro close
and cordial. We remember with what
fidelity for four years he guarded our defense.
less women and children, whose husbands and
fathers were fighting against his freedom. To
his eternal credit DO it said that whenever he
struck blow for his own liberty he fought IN
open battle, and when at last he raised his black
and humble hands that the shackles might be
struck off, those hands were innocent of wrong
against his helpless charges, and worthy to be
taken in loving grasp by every man who honors
loyalty and devotion. Applause. Rufians
have maltreated him, rascals have misled him,
philanthropists established bank for him, but
the South with the North protests against in
justice to this simple and sincere people To
liberty AID acknowledgements is as far as law can
carry the negro The rest must be left to con-
science and common sense 1t should be left to
those among whom his lot is cast with whom he
depends upon their possessing his intelligent
sympathy and confidence. Faith has baen kept
with him in spite of calumnious assertions to
tho contrary, by those who assume to speak for
or by frank opponents. Faith will be kept
with him in the future if the South holds her
reason and integrity. Applause.
But have we kept faith with youl In the
fullest sense, yes. When Lee surrendered-I
don't say when Johnston surrendered, because
understand he still aludes to the time when he
met General Sherman last as the time when he
determined to abandon anv further prosecu.
ton of the struggle'-when Lee surrendered,
say, and Johnston quit, the South became. and
has been since, loyal to this Union. We fought
hard enough TO know that we were whipped and
in perfect frankness accepted as final the arbi
trament of the sword to which we had appealed
The South found her jewel in a toad's head.
The shackles that had held her in narrow lirni
tations foil forever when the shac.les of the
negro slave were broken. Applause. T. Under
the old regime the negroes were slaves to thas~
South the South was slave to the system
Thus was gathered in the hands of splsnd Il
and chivalric oligarchy the substance that should
have been difused among the people, as the
rich blood is gathered at the heart filling that
with af1uent rapture, but leaving the body
chill and colorless. Applause.
The old South rested everything on slavery
and agriculture. unconscious that these could
neither give nor maintain healthy growth The
new South presents perfect democracy the
oligarchs leading into the popular movements
splendid on the surface but stronger at the core;
hundred farms for every plantation, fifty homes
for every palace-and a diversified industry that
meets the complex needs OF this complex age.
The new South is enamored of her new work
Her soul is stirred with the breath of a new life.
The light of grander day is falling fair OH her
face. She is thrilling sir. with the conscious
ness of growing power and prosperity. AS she
stands full -statured and equal among the people
OF the earth, breathing the keen air and looking
out upon an expanding horizon, she understands
that her emancipation came because in the In.
scrutahle wisdom of God her honest purpose was
crossed and her brave armies were beaten.
Applause. This is said in no epirit of
time serving and apology should be
unjust to the South If did not make this plain
in this presence. The South has nothing to
take back; nothing for which she has excuses to
make. In my native town of Athens is a monu.
ment that crowns its central hills-a plain white
shaft Deep cut into its shining sides is a name
dear to me above tho names of men that of a
brave and simple who died in brave and
simple faith Not for all the glores of New
England. from Plymouth Rock all the way.
would exchange the heritage he left me in his
patriots death. To the foot of that shaft shall
send my childrens children to reverence him
who ennobled their name with his heroic blood
But, SIR speaking from the shadow of that mem
DRY, which honor as do nothing else on earth,
l say that the cause in which he suffered. and
for which he gave his life. was adiudged by
higher and fuller wisdom than his mine, and
am glad that the omnscent God held the bal
ance of battle in His Almighty hand, and that
the American Union saved from the wreck
of war. Loud applause
This message. Mr. President, comes to You
from consecrated ground Every foot Of the
soil about the city in which live is sacred as
battle ground of the Republic Every hill that
invests it is hallowed to you by the blood OF
your brothers who died for your victory, and
doubly hallowed to us by the blood of those who
died hopeless, but undaunted, in defeat-sacred
soil to all of us-rich with memories that make
us purer, and stronger, and bet.er-silent, but
stanch witness in its rich desoation of the
matchless valor of American hearts and the
deathless glory of American arms-speaking
and eloquent witness in its white peace and pros.
perty to the indissoluble union of the American
States, and the imperishable brotherhood Of the
American people Immense cheering.
Ex-Banker Charged with Grand Larceny.