Year: 1867

trine of State sovereignty had been the
cause Of the war. That doctrine had
many advocates in the North. But thai
was not the cause of the war. Slavery
was the cause Of the war. He was man
of extreme views, and he had never held
to any laws that could make slavery law.
Slavery was not law. What father would
not rather see his child in his grave than to
see him under the yoke Of slavery?


The North was as responsible as the
South for slavery. He had contended for
this in the North. He had been chased by
many mobs in his lifetime, but never by q
southern mob. They were all northern
ro-slavery mobs. Judicial annals of the
northern States showed that slavery was
countenanced by decisions in the courts
upholding the slave law.


The northern people, cunningly as Yam
KEGS are wont to do, gave to their schools
and colleges q pro-slavery character.
Slavery in the South helped the North a
great deal. In fact, the North derived
more benefit from slavery than the South
did.


"You," said he, "orly held the COW
while we MIXED her." [Great laughter


Here John Oliver, colored, proposed
three cheers for Gerritt Smith, which were
given heartily.l


He had said that there was common
responsibility between the North and
South for the war. Let them both mingle
their tears of repentance, and let neither
Of them say, "I am innocent"


He then spoke of the charity he would
gladly extend to the southern people to
relieve their wants, and if he could, he
would for half-dozen years relieve them
from direct Federal tax.


The speaker next took up the subject of
the relation of the whites and blacks to-
wards each other. Why should not the
whites love the blacks? Think of them
for generations toiling for you patiently
and earnestly. Think of this, and love
them, for such is Gods will. He agreed
with Mr.. Greeley that much gratitude was
due the colored people by those who had
left them during the war in charge of their
property and families, and in no instance
was it known that they had violated their
trust.


He then urged the white landholders
to facilitate the blacks in getting homes
for when they had home they wonld be
better citizens. He enjoined upon them
not to be unwilling to sell lands to the
blacks for if you do, they will judge you
to be their prosecutors. Sell them cheap,
and give them long payday. Don't
grudge them their newborn freedom
and their newly acquired right of the bal
lot. Acquiesce in this new state of affairs.
They have got these rights, and they are
due them. He would also caution the
whites against impartial legislation.


The blacks he asked, why could they
not love the whtesl THE colored portion
of the audience here shouted almost to a
man, We do love them." This drew
out applause from the whites, which was
responded to by the blacks, and very good
feeling was evinced.) The speaker was
pleased at this. He said it was the best
thing he had heard during the evening.


He then said that though our common
Father had seen fit to color his children
differently, he does not hold them in diff
ferent regard. The speaker continued to
sneak in terms of praise of the gontleness,
patience, and goodness of the colored peo-
pie.


The Anglo-Saxon of the present day
doubtless surpassed them in vigor and in
tellect, and might for some time; but he
believed that the time would come when
the African would delight to lead us. He
was opposed to confscation, and would say
nothing on that point after the extended
and clear arguments of Mr.. Greeley.


He was also opposed to the disfran-
chisement of those who had been cut off.
1t had been urged that the so-caled
rebel leaders could exert bad inhuence
if not disfranchised. He argued that they
could yield more influence if disfranchised,
and would be more likely to make it bad
than if allowed to vote or hold office.
They could always appeal to the crowds
from an appearance Of pure motives, as
they could hold no Office. He was in
favor of universal suffrage.


He then said that he wanted to make a
proposition. He wanted the whites to
make a petition to Congress to restore the
South to its position in the Union. Such
a petition would melt the heart of the
veriest rebel, Congress would not refuse
it, and the blacks would never again grum-
BILE about the bad conduct of the whites.


He then cautioned the black man not to
trust in any man who was decidedly OPP
posed to slavery and did not rejoice that
the right of suffrage had been given the
black man.


The speaker next referred to his having
heard of negro riots in Richmond, Charles
ton, and New Orleans. He was saddened
beyond measure at the bare thought of
them. If it were told him the emanci-
pated slaves had turned rioters, it would
have made his heart sick. He warned the
black men to be quiet, patient, and law-abi-
ding. If the black men held riot, he would
fear the emancipation was failure. He
wished to hear no more about southern mobs,
as he wanted to help the blacks as much as
possible. He would warn them against rum
drinking. Rum aud riots went together
He could tell them way for the
blacks to get possession of half the land in
the State of Virginia Let the white peo-
pie drink all the rum, and the black peo-
pie drink none.


With this caution the speaker closed his
remarks. The well-advised speeches OF
these two gentlemen had tended to har-
monize the feelings of those present, and
everybody would have started home in
good spirits were it not that some impru-
dent persons called for Underwood, who,
like the devil, hates harmony, came for.
ward, and good feeling Seemed somewhat
threatened. The white people, to whom
this was naturally obnoxious, greeted him
with shower of Kisses, while the blacks
shouted for him loudly. Upon the princi.
pie of giving the devil his due, however
we must say that nothing save his presence
tended to reverse the good effect produced
by the remarks of Messrs. Greeley ant
Smith, for he recommended them to the
blacks as their friend, and advised them e