Year: 1867

From the Nashville CTenn.) Banner.


The first political meeting, "without dis
tinction of race or Color" ever held in this
city, county or state, assembled at the
courthouse on yesterday. 1t was largely
attended Representatives from every
precinct of town and country were pres
ent, including many black men of standing
and influence among their class.


UnduestioEably the most notable occur
renee of the day was the speech of Joseph
E. Williams, a colored veteran who served
the cause of the union in the army, re-
ceived several wounds during the war, and
was honorably discharged On the cessation
Of hostilities. ct the close of the manly,
temperate and just appeal Of Judge Whit
worth which had visible effect on the
colored auditors, to whom much of it was
addressed, the hall rang with calls for
Williams, who stood Just within the bar
and had signifled his willingness to take
the stand. When he came forward and
was inttcdrced to the vast assembly, he
was received with cheers, and during the
half hour that he occupied tic attention Of
the multitude frequently brought down
the house Vet, though earnestly, he
spoke With great moderation ard directly
to the point.


SPEECH OF JOSEPH f. WILLIAMS COLOR
ED


He expressed his thanks fo. being al
lowed to call those present ''fellOw citi-
zens." The country had been distracted
by the curse Of slavery, but that was now
removed forever. TIE people of the south
were not to be blamed for holding colorcd
men as slaves, for the constitution under
which we live had authorized the system.
Now, however, that his race was free, he
saw no reason why those who came forward
to take part ii politics, on liberal plat
form, should be called 'rcbels," "copper"
heads" For himself, he would exercise
his own tight of free thought and opinion,
regardless of such snecrs. [Applause.1


The best plan for the colored race was
to take the course which would most
conducc to peace. There was no reason
why strife should exist between the two
races. The whites had granted and guar
teed all that the black man had asked. We
cannot possibly prosper if We do not
make your interest our interest We are
yet poor, unlearncd; you have the lands,
the riches, the education; you are better
able aud more willing to take care Of lis
than strangers. [Applause.l


This day, the first of April, 1867, begins
a new era in the southern states. Never
before have such honors been conferred
upon the colored racc-and they have not
come from the north [Cheers.] But the
true men of the north are with you, and
will support you. Let rs join hand in
hand, as those should dc who live in the
same country and have the same material
interests. Let US be one people--work for
one common good. All we as k is that you
support US in our equality before the law,
and guarantee the freedom we have sccur-
ed. indorsc' everything that has been
done here to-day, and am ready to sacri-
flee my liic for this cause. Cheers.


As for the future, he pledged himself
to do all in his power for the advancement
of the good work, not because, az had been
insinuated, he was in the pay ofrebcls, but
because he felt from the bottom of his hear
that these two races should unite in al
that would advance their common iatercs
and welfare,