Year: 1866

GENERAL iiT1nT rn FnEEDEs e SnD & fa1'oA "
MA CHAIRMAN; 7ara2 asai IF eneg a1lr


gladly accept the invitation to speak before Convention
the reedpeope of Georgia Let begin by you
the bright aud happy prospects with which the New 4ear opens
on Of which Won never dreamed You given
still another proof that you ot be gaded acts


and murder that as IN the DAYS of the rbeion wh the
ves and children your doubtless
cruel masters your safe keeping are the same End
ge trusting people, putting far from you all the suggesto1S of
hatred revenge patiently waiting for the hand OF the Lord
to bring your devcrane and looking him avenge your
you history and record unsurpassed IN the
annals the human Slowly justice has come to youi ard
has the recognition Of your merit with how much pleasure
do notice. that finally the public press of the country teemng
with praise your good and noble conduct Every where me-
hear white people speak of you not only terms OF Kindness
but of gratitude,


Side y side with fought beneath that banner which
qu but bring security and peace and under whose d thank
Heaven, no slave shall hereafter stand


TIE past bright andsecure with its destiny and
its duties before u.s. and Of these particularly wish to speak to
Il Is Of the importance that you should have clear and
distinct ideas rights secured the Proclamation OF the
United States the laws of Congress- and the sue


V re free and free for tver No mortal power can thrust
m YOUR defendants back slavery You again be
bouht or so slave and the auction block things of tie
d All YOU can earn your own have the right with all
% men to accumulate hold and enjoy property the right to be
rich you make yourselves by your own energy ndustr and
u Van have the right protection for your person and property
and to est in Court all which freed people parties
interested E#L . 49,, ,.7,l .0., .,'a
and all the powers of body mind which have been
you receive and exercised that power which knowledge con-
s There are and privileges for instance the right
of SUFFRAGE and jurors that have not yet been conferred
AS the servant of the Government simply may with proprey
nerhans make known the oil the Governments far
as they been declared beyond this doubtless becomes me to
sneak with and modesty perceive that the question
of the right Of suerage agitated among
AS saSu. th6 must be evident to all thinking
mere of color is sufficient reason withhold





this high preroga doubtless ample and just reason wthhold>
among white but that both Ignorant and vicious whites ais
lowed vote admit it. and at the time call attention the
considerable number of such persons are allowed
to vote as large Cities the mschvou consequences prove con-
csvey that they ought be deprived of privilege which they
only abuse highly injurious to society mention this
somewhat delicate subject all your attention to this TACT that
whether shall ENJOY these high pyges most ke
depends largely upon youreveno much upon your ASKING Tor
them which there however be objection especially done
respectful way which haraeerzes pelons
your making yourselves competent and worthy to exercise he
Doubtless your number might safely be clothed with these
rights now but think you will agree with me that the great mass
Of YOUR people have need to of the opportunities Of edu,
on-now for the frst afforded hembefore they can with
advantage themselves safety the country be utrued with
rights. .t ass-se31 GtietE


witt the blessing Of providence your future almost wholly
your hands You no longer 1aeS but n Inc rgn1
already conferred upon you opens wide held Tor the exercise
industry energy and capacity Show that as people
possess these qualities Continue peaceful and Ia" aOldns and BE-
useful prosperous reant citizens and need have but
little fear that ang rights viii long be withheld from With the
distraction slavery all real of antagonism between the races
disappeared Sooner or later TINS Will oecone - WI" "
felt and that both prosper together or suer teether
and that only the highest wisdom but the truest political econo-
contained the to do unto others we would they
should do


the duties to be performed order that you may
receive the greatest benefit the rights already conferred upon


the cultivation of kindly relations between yourselves and the
white peop This strongly stated too often reiera-
ted Nothing could be fatal happiness and prosperity as
people, the growth of suspicion hatred and animosity between
yourselves and the whites Let this become fixed condt, and
not the of the great Government which has so soemn


pledged itself to maintain your freedom and which will certainly
effort protect you from suffering perhaps from
ucon Fortunately there little danger of this state of things
You have part already given the most abundant poo of
willingness forget the and act in kind and conca"
y spirit in the future. "-A'' >+-..


you how much pleasure gives you that
'7 we'll meaning man. and child in this State viii gladly


Ou the spirit Everywhere the educated refined and


mdb people your friends they recognize good qualities


praise your good conduct and speak with gratitude of your
M the past they willing aid and cOuntenance effort
your education Improvement and elevation. And here let say
ut think you fortunate being residents of this State which