Year: 1865

4


plainingly obedient to all the requirements


of the Constitution, laws, and even military


orders of the United States since the war


closed, the people Of Alabama have given


every possible evidence which human action


can furnish, Of unfeigned integrity Of pur-


pose, and devoted loyalty to the General


Government. We may rightfully claim,


therefore, that our State is fully entitled TO


be placed in that position in the Union


where she viii stand as the political equal


of any other State under the Federal Consti-


tuition. In this faithful acquiescence in re-


suits, and this sincere desire for the restora-


ton of amicable and harmonious relations
| with the other States of the Union, there


are no party divisions among us. Those


who favored, and those who opposed seces-
| sion, now stand firmly and heartily together
A sudden and radical change has been


brought in cur labor system. The extinc-


ton Of slavery is one Of the inevitable re
suits Of the war. The relation heretofore
| existing between the whites and blacks has


been totally changed The negroes are now
free, and this stubborn fact is fully and I'M
equivocally recognized. How far government


tai action may be able to promote the COM


mon interest Of the two races in their sud-


denly changed conditions, is great problem


which time alone can solve.


The normal vocation of the negro is that


of cultivator of the soil. The soil and


climate of Alabama, are peculiarly adapted


to the growth Of cotton-that great staple
which wield5 most potent influence IN the
commercial world. Land owners are de
pendant upon the negroes for the labor
which is necessary to produce cotton.
Hence the negroes have but to avail them
selves of the advantages which they may
possess as cultivators of cotton lands, to
make for themselves an independent liv-
ing. In their new condition, their future
happiness or misery depends entirely upon
themselves. They will find no disposition
on the part of the whites to oppress them,
or withhold from them any of those rights
to which they are entitled as freedmen.


The recent Convention of the State,
adopted an ordinance imperatively requir-
ing the Legislature, at its present session, to
provide full protection for the persons and
property of the colored population. OF
course, it is assumed that the Legislature
will take the required action in this regard
In all this we see the evidence of firm pur-
pose to deal fairly and justly with the freed
men in his new condition. We will not
only extend to him all his legitimate rights,
but will throw around him such effective
as will secure him in their full
and complete enjoyment. More than this,
| am persuaded our Northern brethren can
not and will not ask of us At the same
time, it must be understood, that politically
and socially, ours is white mans govern
ment; in the future, as has been the case in
the past, the State affairs of Alabama must
be guided and controlled by the superior in
telljgence of the white man. The negro |
must also be made to realize that freedom
does not mean idleness or vagrancy. Eman-
cipation has but left him where he cannot |
live without work.


Let us hope that by judicious policy on
the part of the State, and prudence on the /
part of planters and others employing ne
groes, we may not experience that Interrupt
ton in the development of our industrial
which might, at first never have
been apprehended from the sudden and
radical change, to which our labor system
has been subjected. 1t may be, indeed, that
by additional energy, and bolder enterprises,
we may find ourselves, at no distant day, on
the road to higher prosperity and greatness,
han we were likely to attain under the old
system.


Allow me to say gentlemen, in conclusion,
that since the close of the war, it has evident
y been the studied purpose of our people to
move in full harmony with the avOwed
policy of the National Administration This
lttests the high confidence which is reposed
in the ability, integrity and patriotism of
President johnson. i have no hesitation in
expressing the belief that the President is
loing everything in his power to advance
he best interests of the whole country, both
North and South. in his high and response
he affairs of the Government in spirit of
airness, Justice and conservative nationali-
w. / consider it clearly our duty to give
him our cordial and earnest support in the
patriotic course he is pursuing.