Year: 1866

4, 1866, .....- ..--.-,


Ny friends, you have caught me al


most like a cat in astrange garret. When


I left home yesterday 1 hadn't an idea Of


talking, but thought somebody else would


do the talking and would do the work.


Since came here 1 find have to do the


work and talking too. I hardly know


how to commence. But may first make


a remark in relation to the laying Of the


corner stone. and then talk of something


else. Observation-Disclosures.


Some of yon may think its very queer


thing that Masons are invited from all
Yover the country to do what few work


men could do-in. short time.


Those who have read the history or


acts Of Masons will find that these things


have been done almost from time imme-


mortal. 1t matters not whether a corner


stone for a public building, churches,


halls of houses for legislature purposes
just so they are dedicated for public use.


We have come here to-day then, repre-


senting several blue lodge for the pur-


pose of doing what our fathers have done


year and years ago-done when the cor


ner stone of that great temple built by


Solomon was laid. Masons then laid the


corner stone. He assembled men from


all over the country. Both the Hirams


we're asked to come, being men of differ


ent tribes. Solomon asked these men to


assist one worked on the stone, the


other on wood They were collected to-


gether and they laid the corner stone of


that edifce that took seven years to build.


At which time it did'n rain in the day


time to prevent onward progress of the
work. With our ancient fathers we
initiate this day their example in laying
the corner stone of this building. The
object of which is to promulgate the
gospcl-the light given to man by his
Creator to govern him in this life This
is sufficient then. We have assembled
perhaps for other purposes together. To
celebrate the 4th of July. The day Of
Independence, the day on which this re-
public started, the day on which the ma
ton looked forth for the coming of the
great American liberty. Once the
colOred men could not celebrate this day
with any degree Of propriety because the
flag supported slavery on one side and
liberty on the other. That day has
PASSED it cannot return any more. We
as citizens ofthe United States can now
celebrate this day with pride, with rever-
ence, as it now has secured us protection
whether in this or any foreign nation
Now, my friends, we live under free
government thank God. 1t has for its
object the protection of the human race,
whether African or Indian-it excludes
none This has taken place within few
years We all started as citizens of the
United States indirectly. Now we are
bona fide sanctifed American people
because We are Independent, any consid
Grafton to the contrary. We are part Of
the nation, and the nation are looking
towards US and would see what course
we shall take in this reformation of the
American people. Looking upon this
people as they do not upon any other be-
cause they know us to be loyal in word |
and deed. When they see a man of our
color they see a man loyal in every way, |
who is willing to take up his life in his
hand for the republic that.man may in
peace sit under his own vine and fig tree
This Siz million colored are the bone and
siuea0 Of this nation. These are times of
general rejoicing We have a colored |
company here the Columbus Guards
which will be engaged by the Secretary
of the State in the service of the govern
ment when they are properly organized.
IF this had been done ten years ago every
Butternut, if you have any such person
here, every Locofoeo would have scorned
US. No10 aUs rejoice because they are the
salt Gnd savor of'this nation.


The rebels in the South said if it
hadn't been for the negro, we could have
you, and the Federalists have
not denied that fact, and I take It for
granted 1t aOaS so.


Three or four thousand colored men
without promise or anything from their
government, came to the assistance of the
American people and poured out their
sable blood and saved the American Re
public when almost gone, at the instant
of the first call for service they were
ready to rush as horses to the field of
battle, but when they offered themselves
to the Governor, he refused to receive
them. He said they could do without
US. We said: " Go on, Governor and
see what you can do" Like the man of
Africa, who went to Damascus and cried
out what shall we do to save this people,
The Government at last cried and said, qghat
is to saUe as bat this colored nation.-
We said Governor you have been con-
verted, all you have to do is to put
these men in the field and they will save
you, and the Governor said 60 for
Gods sake and save this people," You
who have read the conflict of the Ameri-
can arms with the rebellion, know chat
in almost every battle, from that of Bull
Run until the colOred men aUere pat IN the
field hey (the Federal troops) acre put
10 confusion. But when the colored men
came to the nations help, in every battle
fought by their arms they have not suf-
fered single defeat, while before that they
we're repeatedly defeated Why because
the Almighty said they could not con-
1uer until the colored man was brought
totheir help. Southern men acknowledged
it and the Federalist keep silent and
silence gives consent. I glory to know
that I belonged to the number Of those
men who have saved the country, who
vent without promise of bounty and