Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-10-04
THURMAN THE NEGRO.
The Old Roman Addresses a Delegation
of Colored Voters.


of Colored Voters.
A few days ago Judge Thurman re-
| ceived delegation of colored Demo-
Gratis, who, through w. H. Farbush, of
Arkansas, presented an address ex-
| pressing their thankfulness for favors
from the Democratic party, expressing
a belief in the division of the colored
vote as for their best interest, and
stating firm belief in the election of
/ Cleveland and Thurman. Judge Thur
man greeted them warmly and spoke
as follows:
GENTLEMEN: am greatly obliged to you for
this call, and still more for the kind and just
sentiments TT at have just been read here I
know well that have been described and am
! described as an enemy OF the colored people.
There never was any thing more unjust in the
world. I don't come from a family that is un-
just. When my family came to this State my
grandfather brought with him all his property,
which consisted chiefly of slaves, and he set
them all free. My father never owned a slave:
my mother never owned a slave: never owned
a slave, and would not If could Now might
also say was raised among coIored people,
One of the most intimate companions of my
childhood, and one whom I took care OF
till he died, was q boy of about my own
age, who had been given to me by my grand
father, not as slave, but as playmate and
companion to take care of me. being older. II
ever one child loved another that boy loved me
and loved him, and never were more sincere
tears shed than I shed over him. But we can
not expect justice in political campaign, and
have been denounced as enemy of the col
ored race. deny nothing that is true but this
charge is untrue. No man can point to a law
that had any thing to do with the making of,
or to decision OF mine while on the bench,
that was more unjust to the colored people
than to the white, or unjust in any description,
and defy any one to show any thing to the
contrary.
1t Is true that in 1867, before the suffrage for
your people had been adopted, when the ques-
ton was in Ohio and in Ohio alone, whether
the word white should be struck from the
constitution, L together with a large majority.
voted against striking it out. The reasons
were plainly stated and honestly maintained.
It was not right for Ohio TO take such action
when nearly all the other States were acting
otherwise That reason urged against suct
action, but from the moment the amendment te
the Federal constitution was adopted which
gave suffrage to the colored people. from that
moment they became citizens, and man can
say ever treated them otherwise than as Cit
liens. rApplause.1 No man can say with
truth that have denied the equality before
the law OF the co!ored people. I stand. and
Grover Cleveland stands, on the platform OF
the Democratic party, which pronounces for
equal rights for all, without regard to race or
CCiOI. Iuat pidLOIIu uSStDS buab every mdu-
whether by birth, by naturalization, or by the
amendments to the constitution is q citizen
is equal to any one before the law. Applause
White and black stand On the same founda-
ton, and all are equal before the law.
Now, you have studied the platform OF the
Democratic rarity. You have seen the pledges
made. No President has ever done more ample
justice to the colored people than Grover
Cleveland, and, II reelected. he will contin ne
to do justice TO them. know him we'll In his
srk4 t. - hi orvr11 s1 fr.ct
and upright man. When he says any thing he
means II, and when he has said it he stands
to 1t.
am greatly pleased to see that the colored
vote is no longer a unit. have said repeated
ly, in public and in private, have said every
where, that since suffrage was conferred on the
colored people, the Republican managers seek
to make political bondsmen OF the colored
race. When they ceased to be labor bondsmen
the Republican leaders intended they should
become political bondsmen, and they knew
that was impossible in human nature without
bitterness among the whites; it was an impos-
sibility in human nature without miracle.
Although slavery in the South was to be
found in Wing as well as in Democratic States,
and 1t has been called Democratic instttu-
tion vet the truth IL the principle OF Jefferson
was und ermining 1t and it was brought to she
grave. Now, say whatever you may think.
write whatever you may think. there Is
liberty to all II any people more than an
other have reason to be thankful for this
declaration it is those who have lately been
set free don't underrate the men who helped
know well the unjust claims that have been
made. / know well that it Was said il was not
to be fight of abolition. know that it was
said that il the Union could be preserved with
out freeing q slave they would preserve 1t on
that condition. know that Mr.. Lincoln,a great
and good man. said so; but also know that
when the idea entered the brain Of the radical
leaders that by emancipating the slSwe and CIV
ing HIM the suffrage the South might be made
solid radical South then there was sudden
and wonderful growth OF philanthropy. and the
men who but lately had been willing to see
slavery indefinitely prolonged became the
earnest advocates OF abolition. In word.
party interests governed political action, and
If it had not been supposed by the radical lead
ers that the political bondage Of the negro
could he made to take the place OF the ancient
bondage. you would have heard nothing OF the
Republican party having freed the slave.
The Democratic party is the
party of the plain people. It's mission