Year: 1867

SIrtngers Needed-A Failure OF the


Crop the Greatest Danger. Etc.


At meeting Of the colored people of
Sumter district, South Carolina, recently,
J. w. Wesberry, colored man, delivered
the following excellent views:


Remember that the strength of the nation
lies in the virtue, industry, loyalty and
courage of its citizens We must try to
yindicate the hopes of our friends, and
prove ourselves worthy of the privileges to
which we have been admitted. We gained
lust praise for our admirable conduct during
the war Let the history which shines so
brightly upon us az slaves, shine still
brighter upon us az freemen. We all now
have the right of voting and this right
finds a great many of US not prepared for
the execution. But / have no objection to
this right. 1t belongs to freemen. We will
be called on next month to register our
names As voters. Next will be to vote for
candidates to a State convention, to adopt
4 constitution for our State. The question
is now, whom are we going TO elect? Now,
| am going 10 express my views frankly.
To this convention we must send good men,
and the men that we have been raised with
because our interest IL theirs. Ii we go
down, they go down; and if they go down,
we will 20 to the devil. 1t will never do in
the world to send strangers to attend to
home business. Legislation that would be
productive in one country would be injuri-
Gus in another. Mine and your fortune is
yet in the earth, and has 10 come out by its
cultivation, and if we don't keep peace and
harmony it will never come cut. The white
race and the colored race are depending oh
each other. The white race is impoyer-
ished as well as the blacks. They can't do
anything to affect us in the least


Give our mea a trial. Now will show
you where we can't be hurt. Afler the
constitution has been adopted, it will have
to be laid before all voters for ratification
or rejection. Then if you find we have not
got equal rights and justice, will say my
self that our men win not do as a law
making party for US. Some of our colored
preachers are going about now, doing as
some Of our white preachers did during
the War-preaching more about politics
than about Christ, and you are not acting
wise 10 take such meme advice. We are
compelled to live in the Southern States
we can't live in the North, and if the South
prOspers we will prosper. And TO do this
the white and the black must stick to-
gether Deal fair with each other. Do
away with all old things and take up new
relations. And let US build up this broken
down country. We must work with honest
men and deal with them. There are bad
men in all races.


These white people tell us they are our
friends. Well, now is the time to try them,
in the beginning. And if their friendship
should fail, it wonld not hurt anybody.
Let me advise you as friend 10 preserve
at all times the utmost moderation of Ian
guage, temper and conduct-avoid every
thing like violence, and educate yourselves.
The prosperity of the South is associated
with the harmony and good feeling which
shouldexis between both races. The white
race Of the South is obliged to be interested
in the education, industry, thrih and pro
gress Of their colored population. In this
mutual dependence lies the security Of all.


Some, talk of strangers to legislate for
us. When you think of that, think ofthe
tax on cotton. Aud who has thattax to paw?
Why, You field hands, that comprise the
greater portion of the colored population of
the South. We are very poor, and we
must adopt the best mode for our elevation.
Industry can overcome all the evils in our
way. We must quit this plan of moving
about every year. Get with some honest
gentleman, and stay, until you get means
of buying yourselves little homes. But
will have to work night and day, let
alone whisky, and be honest


Some say that politics is our greatest
danger But ! dispute that. The greatest
evil that could befall us, is the failure in a
crop this year. That is our great trouble.


We must keep on the lookout for sharp
ers, whether from the North or the Sonth.
Several things have come under my obser-
walton which do not like. | will men
tion one. ! was at a meeting not long
since, and a white preacher, and he said he
was the black mans friend After the SER
mon he told the crowd if any wanted to get
married he could marry them, but they
must pay him two dollars With me that
friendship is over the left. Long cheers.)
bully for you and hard tack for the
preacher.)


Some say that our old masters are net
our friends, but those men that tell us so do
not give us anything. Long cheers) We
are obliged to work with old master And
amt il better to be friendly? (Cries of yes,
yes.) want 10 seee mutual kindness to
all and friendship to all. (Cheers) My
friends study your interest right. Don't
make a mistake. ! thank You for your in
vitation. | will express my views 10 YOU
at all times when called ON.


Similar views were expressed by
other speakers, and they all urged upon
their hearers the importance of good feel
ing and harmony between the colored peo-
pie and their former masters.


Nelson Colclough (colored) said:


Good feeling and harmony should exist
between both races. We have a right 70
our belief. / indorse the policy Of the
speaker. We must take the advice best
for our elevation. God has been on our
side. Now we must take self-interest.


Alfred Davis (colored) followed and
ssid


Wesberry gives us good advice. No
strangers TO legisIate for me. long
cheers


Isaac Mclaughlin lcolored) was also
called out. lie said


We must cast our votes Tight--so as not
10 impair our home interest. We must be
good loyal citizens, educate our children
and keep peace with all. We must not
stroll about Make our own corn at home.
No strangers to legislate for me.


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SCENE AT REGISTRY OFFICE.-The
following is said to have been an actual oc-