University of South Carolina Libraries
IrilE ?RANGEBUBG ^W^f W* \t fOBfis'HBD WEEKLY' ORANGEJBURG, S. 0. of Publication on Market-Street over the Post Office. SAMUEL' DIBBLE, Editor. TIRQIL G. DIBBLE, Associate Editor. CHARLES II. HALL,' Publisher. Items. ..... ? ? L.thc Georgia and, Mississippi Bill have m dismissed by tho Supremo Court, for wont of Jurisdiction. At Mobile a Court of Inquiry has been or *.* dered to oonvenb to investigate the disturbance of the, 14th iustanl. Shepperd issued an order * detaining all the presont police. The military j ?will tako cognizance of particular cases. Ab order ha9 boon issued by direction of Gen. Pope, doposing, tho present Mayor and ' Ofiiof of Police of Mobile The Wilmington Dispatch says: "A special order from Washington City, published in the Baltimore Swi of .^Thursday 16th, says that General Sickles has under consideration the issuance of another order. His attention is now. called to the necessity of regulating tho banking interest in. district number two, especi ally in regard' to onforcing-a uniform rato of interest. I . From Washington, we learn that all tho no cessary rules and forms in bankruptcy have been adopted, and a manual of some 400 pages has prepared by Clinton Rico, Secretary of the Commissioners of Justice, und by their order, . , And will be issued on Tuesday. No delay or <Sifficulty is appfehonded in putting the law in reflect June 1. All thot registrars have been * nominated, and in case the District Judges do not confirm the nominations, they are empower ed to fill tho vacancies with suitablo persons. The rules aad forms cover a pamphlet of 75 pages. Methodist Relics.?A Southern exchange says: "During tho late meeting of the Mctho ?dist Episcopal .College of Bishops, the family of Bishop Soule presented the senior bishop with the following articles: The official seal of Bishop Ashbury ; a cornelian, set in a small rg?t. frame, with a medallion head of Wesley. '(The official seal of Bishop KcKendrec; this is largor than common? metallic, with the initials 'W. MoK.;' motto, 'Prt.ich tho Word.' The first official seal of Bishop Soule *, this is a small oval|shapcd metallic device ; a dove with olivo branch in its mouth, and standing on a globe; motto, 'Peace on earth.' These inter esting relics wcro, by tho will of Bishop Soule, left to his senior successor, to bo by him trans mitted in like manner. They are, therefore, in tho hands of Bishop Andrew. Eor centuries past it has been customary for prelates of tho Roman Catholic Church to wear hierarchical rings in attestation of their rank, but tho fact that Methodist Bishops wear them is not gene ? rally known to members of that denomination." Our Charleston Letter. Ship Golconda? Marvellous EscArE from Lightning?Steamer Struck:? Revival at Bethel Church?Fatal Explosion of a Lamp Post, &c. Charleston, May 22, 1867. . The ship Golconda, owned T>y the Libcrian Colonization Society, and sailing in its interest, arrived iu oar harbor last week, and having rc coived her living cargo, is awuiting a favorable wind and tide to put to soa. About three hun dred colored emigrants are on board: among these are sovcral native Africans,, one of whom was brought over in the celebrated yacht "Wanderer" just previous to tho war. Most of the passengers, however, aro from this State, Marion District sending 140, Newbcrry 50, Edgeficld 30, and Charleston 30; there arc also a few from Georgia, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Over ono thousand negroes had originally applied for transportation; but tho recent .augmentation of their political privileges and the revival of their delusive hopes of tho ultimate passage of an Agrarian LawJ have induced many of the applicants to change thoir minds, and elect to remain in the Sunny South. A remarkable and providential escape from death by lightning occurred on Monday night last, during tho prevalence of a severe thunder storm which passed over our city. A party of ladies and gentlemen who had just returned from a pleasure excursion in the har bor wero overtaken by the rain, and Btopped under the porch of St. Michael's Church to await tho passing of a street car. While there tho electric fluid passed down the steeple, and entoring tho ground near them, ran under the pavement directly under them. Several gen tlcmon ami one lady were knocked down; tho shoes of the entire party woro burned and torn open; tho dress of a lady was sot* on firo, yet, strange to say, no one was seriously injured. Tho watchman in tho steeple was also knocked down and stunned for a few moments, but soon recovered his consciousness, and resumed his ?duties. Tho escape from instant death was .truly marvellous, and cannot be explained on . strictly natural grounds. It is a forcible ar gument in favor of tho doctrine of the special interposition of Providence. . The, Stunner Z.B. Vance, Which formerly to start for her destination, suddenly $$^1 to sink, and boforo the pumps coujd be put in cj^cration, was almost entirely! submovged. Nearly all her cargo !waa lost, - orat best, is so much damaged by water as to bo practically valueless.- "The cause of tho unfortunate aeei dent is unknown. This is the second steamer which has-been lost in our harbor in a Week y the "Kate"?a Savannah and Florida boat? having, as I have informed you, been burned last Wednbsdoy morning. A series of very interesting religious meet ings were inaugurated at Bethel Methodist Church, on Monday week, and are still contin ued. Largo congregations have been regularly in attendance, much feoling has boon exhibi ted-?especially by the young of both Boxes? and many have made a public profession of their faith in Christ. On last Sunday, twenty five persons presented themselves as candidates for membership in the Church, and since then twelve or fifteen more have done likowiso. In other Churches special services are being hold, and many anticipate a great and general revival of religion in Charleston this Summer. Another fatal result of tho careless bundling of shells, occurred on Monday, at John's Island. Several negroes having discovered and exclayated ouo of tho large "lamp posts" hurled during tho war at our troops on the Island, attempted to unload it, preparatory to sending it to tho City, to bo sold to the Ordi nance Department. In the attempt it was ex ploded, and the fragments of iron killed three df tho party. One was terribly mutilated ; his head and limbs having been torn from his body, and hurled a considerable distance. The failuro of the house of Fraser, Trcnholm & Co., in Liverpool, for $20,000,000, has'bocn the all-absorbing topic of conversation in finan cial circles. At Grst, it was supposed that.the suspension of our colossal firm, Messrs. John Fraser & Co., would be necessitated from the intimate relations existing between the two houses. But these fears have not been real ised. The tremendous decline in the price of cotton is supposed to have caused tho suspen sion of; Messrs. Fraser, Trenholm & Co. BELTA. THE ORANGEBURG NEWS. SATURDAY, MAY 25,1807. While tee reserve to ourselves the right of defi ning our own political position bg means of our editorial columns, we will be pleased to publish contributions from our fellow-citizens upon the grave questions which now agilutc the. public miiul, whether their opinions coincide with ours Qr not. A district newspaper, we consider, should be an index oj\InC (hades of poo ? xdar sentiment in the section of country in wltu-h it.circxdatcs. Our columns are open, therefore, for any communications properly writteu, accom panied by a responsible name, not personal in their character, nor absolutely injurious in their tendency.' Th? "Modus Operandi" of Reconstruc tion. Since the Order of Sickles on tho subject of Registration, there has arisen with many, a mis apprehension of its terms; and it is a prevail ing impression in some sections, that in order to vote, it is nocci^ary to take tho infamous test oath, montioncd in that order. This is a mis take. In our cditc.ial columns some weeks ago, we endoavorod to explain tho workings of the Congressional plan of Reconstruction : and now, as the tiino is approaching for the en forcement of this system, wc will endeavor briofly to give our viows of tho manner in which tho maohinery is going to he put to gether, and sot in motion. And first, there is to bo this difference be tween this election, and all previous elections in South Carolina, that in this instance, long before the election, books will be carried around through the Bistrict, and every man who is privileged to vote, and desires to do so, must have his name placed on those books. This is called Registering, and the officers who superintend this business are called Registers. Now according to Sickles's Order, this Regis tration is to >lnkc place on the third Monday in July next, and tho days following, until it is completed; and Sickles is going to appoint tho Registers to attend to it. The Order then goes on to say, that no ouo can act as a Register, un less ho can take the test oath mentioned in tho order. ' ?'. But then suppose Sickles has made the ap pointment of Registers, out of such as can take tho test oath, and the day of Registration comes,?the next question is, Who can havo their names registered as voters ? We answer that any ono who has taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States as a momber of Congress of the United States, or of a State Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of a State, and after taking such oath, engaged in insurrection or rebellion 1 against the Unifed States, or given aid and comfort to tho enemies thereof, is to bo denied this privilege t^ond all others aro to enjoy it. So in order to.gegi?ter, a man need not ask himself, "Can.1 tako tho test oath?" for that has nothing to do vritti tho case : if ho engaged in jwar on tho Southern side, ho merely aaks him self : ? PioVI eter swear to support tho Consti tution Of tho United States as a member of Congress before tho war ? Did I over so swear as a member of the State Legislature bofoVe the war 7 Did I ever so swear as an executive officer before the war 1 Did I ever so svjrbtir as a judicial.officer before tho war ? If he can answer these questions in the negative, and has not boon convicted in a trial by jury of a felony against' the United Statos, he has a right to have his name registered. Well, wo hnvo now finished tho Rogi?tra tion,?what next? Why, then tho books are to bo exposed to the public for a time, to Bee that tho Registration is fair and complete;, and to give an opportunity of Kettling all disputes in contested cases. After all this is done, a day is appointed for an election, and Sickles appoints Managers of Election to eouduct it. These managers, like tho Board of ltegistersj are to tako tho tost oath. But ovcry man, whoso name is registered on the books, in' the j manner we have explained above, is entitled to vote, and no others. So all our readers will' soc the importance of embracing the opportu nity to'REGISTER. Xo one, icho is not rcgis tcred, can vote. The next inquiry is, what do you vote for?:1 You are to vote for two things on tho same ticket. You arc to vote either for or again]}! holding a Convention ; and then you arc do vote for those you would profor to send us dol gates, iu caso tho majority of votes arc for a Convention. Suppose the Convention is held, what thenuj They are to discuss the subject of a new Co^' stitution for South Carolina. If they deciaff upou one, they then refer it bade to another vote of those who are registered. A vote is then taken for or against the Constitution, the registered voters arc in favor of the new Constitution, Congress isto have the next -\vordr to say about it; and if it suits them, then tho new State of South Carolina is to be admitted into the Federal Union, and have members of Cougrcss. We have briefly explained this scheme ; and hope our readers will take the acts of Congress,' and the Registration order of Sickles, and' study this matter carefully for themselves. Tho Attornoy General of the United States, in a few days, will assist them with his views in full on this subject, as to who arc executive and'judicial officers of-a Stute, und all other points iu discussion under tho system. We i thiuk that every man, not disfranchised us above, after mature roucctiu,;, win come to the conclusion, that whothor tho whole proceeding is unconstitutional or not, ho will REGISTER and VOTE. Another Order. An order has been issued by General Sickles prohibiting the distillation of whiskey or other Spirits from grain in this military district. Section I provides that the possession of a still is presumptive evidence o.i distilling. The offence will bo tried before the Post Comman der, and two more officers of the army ; or if this bo inconvonicnt, by the Post Commander alono. Section II orders the penalties imposed by acts of Congress for violation of revenue laws to be imposed by said tribunals. Section III requires the approval of the Geueral Commanding to every sentence of im prisonment, or forfeiture of still or liquor. Section IV orders troops, as well as officers, civil and military, to be vigilant in carrying out tho above. ^* WILSON OVERMATCHED. The great apostle of the Republican party, having challenged discussion at Montgomery. Ala., Hon. Mr. ClantoN-, of that place, arose and delivered the following telling speech: Friends and Fellow- Citizens : I returned from the country a few minutes .since, and was informed that some colored men had called at my office, to invite me to attend this meeting. I appreciate this act of kindness, confidence and friendship on their part. My colored friends, wo are Southern men, born jupon'tho same soil, live in the samo country, fend "Will sleep iu the same grave-yard when life's troubles arc over; and our destiny is tho same. If you prosper, the white race of the South will prosper; and if the white race pros pers, you must prosper ; and whatever misfor tune is visited" upon the South, must be borne alike by both races. It is alike your duty aud interest to cultivate friendly relations with your neighbors and former owners, who are to-day, and ever have been, your best friends. For otic, I can proudly say that no ono in this as sembly can assert that I over oppressed him when ho. was a slave. On one occasion I fought for ouo of you in these streets. On another, when a white man had boon waylnycd and I murdered, ajid his neighbors bad assembled, und taken the law in their hands with the avowed purpose of executing the two supposed leaders, who were colorod men, I interposed, with others, and succodecd in having them placed in jail, and a fair trial givon them.' One was convicted and hung; tho other acquitted, aud still lives. Tho Seuator from Massachusetts, who hop just, addressed you, and who lives several thou sand miles distant, has oxplained to you the object of his political pilgrimage South. He | has challenged any one present to meet him in discussion to-night, and has offered to divide] time with any one who would accept. I was born and raised in the South, end hope to be buried in her soil. I have met the brave men of the North on many fluids; they outnum bered and overcame us; und 1 certainly have no fear of their politicians. But for my fami ly, lifo would have but few charms for me. Neither the fear of the gallows, the gibbet, or the bayonet, will ever cause meto desert my people, forsake this bright Southern land which gave me birth, or deter me from the expression of iuy hottest scntiuionfs udder any circum stances. Sonfo young Southern Radicals, who have recently addressed you, say that the Sher man bill, which they are advocating, would disfranchise them, aud hence their efforts were purely unselfish, whilst at tho time their appli cations to be relieved from the disabilities of] that measure arc pending at Washington, and they arc doubtless expecting to call on you for your votes at the next electioufor this State. I will here state my own position briefly on this point. 1 I believe that bill is unconstitutional?I be lieve it is oppressive to a certain class of our vl?st men. ? As soon as that Bill parsed Congress a high i'ederal official with the kindest feelings for ie personally, said to me: ''You were not n original secessionist. Congress will remove our disabilities under the Sherman Bill. You nust send oil an application, and I will approve L and help you to got it through." T replied laut the Republican party bad no right under the Constitution to disfranchise nie, and 1 mould never ask for relief at their hands, and tSat is my position to-night. 1 The honorable Senator fYum Massachusetts las said some things which evince good fecl iigs on his part, and which 1 approve. lie Vis also said many things from which I must dissent, and made many assertions which the nplitical history, and particularly that of our {recent unfortunate war, proves to be untrue, jilt) commences with the history of slavery in Sap South since lie came upon the stage of ac tion, and endeavors to fix the responsibility of tie existence of that institution upon the F^uthern people, with all of its horrors as de lected by bis vivid imagination. T will carry "tie gentleman back to the starting point of the tituttun on this continent, and before I take tisent 1 will provfftO you'th at the North is e.-ponsible. for the existence ot slavery with whatever evils attached to it; and I am frank to say t hat-there were feature iu slavery which were wrong. Many years ago. my friends, before the United States had an existence as a nation, j your forefathers inhabited the homes of your [rrfco?Africa. '!?": Jwrtarn people, who were then as now a commercial people, owning many (hips, went to the coast of Africa and bought Home, and stole or kidnapped your grandfath ers and mothers, placed them in the hold of their vessels in great numbers, and in chains took some few to their Northern homes, and sent most of them to be sold to the Southern people for slaves. In this work they had valu able co-laborers in the English and Spanish. By this traffic in human flesh they made large ?nuns of money. The Southern people, as a general rule, were (ipposcd to the slave trade, and when the Colo nies threw off the yoke of Great Britain, the Southern Colonies amongst them, one of the principal reasons which they published to the world in justification of their cnusc was that the mother country had imposed slavery and the slave trade upon them against their v ishes. When our indepedenee was acknowledged and we formed a Union of. the Colonies, the ?South was still opposed to the slave trade, and it would have then been declared piracy, and half of your race in the United States would not have been here now, but in Africa ; but the Northern men engaged in the trade found it to be so profitable, and so entirely free from an}' conscientious scruples were they, that they insisted that their pious operations should con tinue twenty years longer, and the South yield ed. These slave traders invested their money in lands, houses and other property North, which,made many of their grand children or great grand children rich, and some of whom are now leading licpublicnns. The slaveholders of the Northern States did the same thing in most instances by sending their slaves to Virginia and other Southern Statesand selling them when their slave labor became less profitable in a cold eliluate than white labor, and have since amused themselves by abusing the Southern people as slave driv ers?and the Senator, the desccudent of these linen", is hero to-night reminding you of the wrongs you "nave received at the hands of your [former owners, and advising you to avoid po litical alliances with your friends and neigh bors, and to seek an alliance with people in dis tant States, the Republicans of the North. 1 repeat, that the conscientious scruples of the North was not seen-cropping out until they had lyour race in their pock :ts, where they have Uiken good care to keep you over since. There are many good people at the North who are your friends, and who have never en gaged in tho slave trade, owned slaves or ap proved of slavery. The same can be said of t-Jio Soutli, and if lot ajeno by tho North that .class would havo been much larger in the South. More slaves havo been freed by the act of their owners in the South than at tixo North. George ^Washington owned about one thousuud, which he freed at* his death. Mr. llandolph die ue satno. General Oglcthorpo opposed slavery in Georgia. There is a man on this stage who knows that 1 had an angry controversy many years .ago iu this city for endorsing Honry Clay's emancipation scheme for Kentucky. He was my political leader, I never knew him to do wrong, but I fear we will nover look upon his .like again. The gentleman from Massachusetts says you ought to indontify yourself with tho Radical party of the North, because they have waded through a bloiidy war of four years to sot you free, to givo you the right to sit upon juries, to ride on railroads, to testify as witnesses in courts, and inueh ehe I deny every assertion ho has uiadc on these points, und challenge him to the proof. He who says that this w?r was commenced by the North to set you free and c.onfer on yoft the rights which you now enjoy, falsifies the history of the country; not inten tionally, I hope. The Government of the United States, during tho war. again and again declared most solemnly that this war-was not commenced or being waged for conquest, or with a-view of interfering with our property iu slaves in the States. Mr. Lincoln urged us to return to the Uuion, pledging the Government to receive us most cordially, and givo sla\cry its protection in the States. Wc wprc threat ened with emancipation if wc did not come back. Iu one band the Government offered us ,;l'nion and Slavery," and in the other- was '?rebellion and emancipation." Having gone to war on principle, the South chose the latter. No man knows this better than the honorable Senator. Nor will he or General Swaync, who is on tho stand, deny the assertion that I am now going to make, that we could havo gone back in the Union aud hold you as our slaves to-day. You uro not indebted to the North or the South for your freedom, but to God. Instead of abusing us you ought to re member that this rebellion which you are taught] to despise, by youv enemies and ours, who only conic amongst you for your votes, was an instrument in the hands of God for your deliverance, so far as mart.il eye cau divine the purposes of the Creator. The Southern people do not envy you your freedom. They would not restoro you to bon dage if they could. They have your \<{cll be ing at heart. I did not fire a gun for tslaycry. .More than half the Southern army uover owned a slave. Hardoe. Clehurne, and many others signed a petition long before the war closed, for your freedom and tu afford you an opportu nity to volunteer and assist your white friends of the Smith in achieving Southern indepen dence. President Davis recommended this course, and I', in the thieatrc, in this city, endorsed bis policy in the presence of a very large as sembly, and stated that 1 would take groat pleasure in commanding colored troops. \.on acted well your part during that unfortunate struggle, for which you deserve, and have, the gratitude ?revery Southern mau and. woman, in cur midst. The gentleman t:\ya that ti.e Mexican war i war. ' """ght on and advocated by Mr. Culhoun for tho purpose of increa?.!^ *-JC nl'oa ol" frcc doiu. No man ought to know better than ttic honored representative of Massachusetts that the statement is untrue. Mr. Culhoun aud also Mr. (May, the great Southern giants alive at the time, Opposed the war. Mr. Calhoun was to the last the bitterest opponent of that war?predicting as he did the disastrous results upon the peace of the country. Instead, of that war being waged for slavery it was very evident, as the result proved, that jipy-territorv adjoiuiug us which could bo acquired wou'd bo free territory. That war gave to the North, California, Utah and New Mexico. ' Though only a boy, I followed the old flag through that war, with many thousand good and true men from my section who only rogarded the National honor of our common country. Again as to how you became free. The North aided to free you with bayonet and by Military Pro clamations only as they believed it would in jure us and raise you up a hostile element iu our midst ; and seemingly making yoUrwelfare a secondary consideration. To render this act of theirs valid mid constitutional, it was neces sary that we should act. We called, together, our Conventions and without hesitation made you constitutionally free forever. Wc also gave you the right to testify in cases where you were interested, and I advocated iu this State House your right to testify in nil cases. You now enjoy many privileges here not en joyed by your race iti the Northern States. As tho gentleman has congratulated you upon your imprOVcd condition here and created still greater expectations for your future politi cal and social relations in the South, let me tell you what great blessings the North has con ferred upon your race even in bis own State. First, until very recently, although your race at the North "are free, and have the advau tages*of the free school system of which he boa'st. and few in numbers, j'ot whilst your numbers rapidly increased as' slaves in this bands of cruel masters referred to by him, yet with him tit the North they have diminished; your race have been hud arc still excluded from Northern hotels, steamboat cabins,' rail rpad cars, and places of amusement. They have beeu frequently expelled tVoin such place!-, and sometimes mobbed for claiming tho rights of white people. And what has been tho result of overy?effort on thoir part to obtain rcdrcre and establish their rights by law. They have in every instance, (unless it bo very recently), signally failed. The Courts' of the country were against thorn. I saw in Northern news pupcrtj, and f believe it to bc'truo, for ,1 "have nd where seen it contradicted, that about Ae , last of I860; or the first of the present year, Frederick Douglass, a* mulatto of Now York, who is said to bo a highly educated und polish ed man, who-con ducts himself with great pro priety everywhere, traveled as far West as ; Sfc-' Louis, and was there and everywhere oh hjs \ route refused admission. into the first class, hotels of the North und West. Nearly every Northern State has discriminated against,them its jurors, witnesses', and heretofore at tho bal lot box. They nowhere at the North enjoy in fact, all the rights of white peopld, dad \juiT most States North they aro'by local laws denied political equality at the present time One or more StatesAventTso far as to deny them settle ment within their boundaries alto-ether. You have been reminded by tho gentleman . ofpoenniary favors conferred;' tho supplies;' * voted you by his party, and tho Bureau under General Sway he in Alabama, as another rea son why you should act with the Republicans. I hol iovo General Sway no te. be a friend or* yours. I believe the gentleman who has jufli addressed you is also a friend, for they hare no cause to bo otherwise; but no better friend * than I am and many other Southern men. Many of us have been educated by your labor, < und I hope I .shall live long, enough to pay you back with compound interest in promoting education among you, which I tell you is thei ouly hope of your race. I requested that Gen. Swaync ho. continued over us; for nlthough we see thiugs from d?? furcnt stand-points, yet, I holicvo ho wants to do right, and I never think less of any one for an honest difference of opinion merely. But however worthy the motivoof tho act- - on the part of the Government in assisting youx through the Bureau, nnd for which the Sena tor, amongst other reasons, claims your vctcs tor the Republican party, it is an undeniable/ fact that the same jwirty discriminates against against you iu the way of taxes on cotton, and" in this way wring from the sweat ef your, brow* ' one hundred dollars to every one received- by . you through the same Bercau. With these facts staring you iu the face, ?which the honorable Senator will not deny,, what is the obvious object of hli visit. South 2" It is this, my friends : His party is in power, and be is hero aiding to keep them so. Ho is here to form a political uUriuuce with you and what few whites can bo induced to join. hiux. They want office, thoy^want spoils, and" they." wa.nt to retain power.-git is o^uito pleasant andf profitablc to tkem. It is not because*bkay. Love yon bettor than other * people. I warn yew against him aud all like him. at homo or from abroad. ; - ; / * ^; ******* . It occurs to me just at this moment, that there is another .portion of the honorable Sena tor's last or second speech, to which L will j briefly allude. He says I havo uicntioiicd sotno: , I thiugs" he never beHiro heard/- thatthe.has, none the r.dvantag 'bf me, fcj hcV hns spoKeta I of umny things that ho did tha^r li have not. ? heard of beforo. Ho boasts of what tLe North ern army did,Hut X did not know he was witBi them. It is only very voeently that he invaded tho South. Ho reminded me of the boIdTrotv tiersmau, who., when tho boar entered the cabin door quite unexpectedly, ran up into-tbo loft. The good wife, having no means of escape, used the n>tchfork very freely, killing the bear, the nwbttud' in the fu3 Vrty?oiAall the while, at the top of Iiis voice, "Lay pn, Nancy 1 lay on,. Nancy!" When assured that tho bear was quite dead, he descended from his safore treat, walked up to tho sido of his wife, and, with the air of a; game cook, excjuiuicd, "Nan- ? ey, ain't wo bravo?'*. Tho gentleman can .afford to boast now of what ire did! In conclusion, let mo ??y, that you havo ?* known me from my boyhood. I have always tloue the best I could for you, and i am still your friend. Althongh I havo been deprivod of cjtizonship, yet I Lye my country and her people, and I will ramnlz witll You. When I took the oath to support tho C;3stitalf*?5 ????< Union of the States, I did so. after nil"ch r?*\ flection aud in perfect good faith. I did ?0 with a determination that I would do all that I could io promote tho peace and prosperity of my whole cdUntr*, and particularly your race,' who were and are now so much iu need of in struction. There is n iniuistor (Rev. James Newman) of the .Gospel in this city, who knows - that during tho war, aud at a time, when the South expected to be successful, we pledged ourself one to the other, to give the .ooergiea of our life to the improvement of your condi tion. Things havo since changed. I am pro?? trated by the war, but I will assist youi all I can, and am doing so now aud encouraging others to do something. My-heart was mado glad a few days since 'when I heard that a Southern man, notwithstanding our impover ished, condition, had donated a piece of land ilk this city for a school house for your children, and upon which. 1 learn, the Government pro poses putting up the building. But for tho excitement und prejudice- on tho question, en gendered by politicians, North and South, be fore the war, your condition would have boon n much better-one than it Ja. - I believe you will bear mo out in the assertion that your former Southern ownors treated you quite .as well as the Northern men did, before they sold you to us, and as well an those who settled in our midst and owned slaves before the war. Your own (d)scrvation and experience teaches vou that the hitter class, whether from Massachu setts or any other New England State, were, as a general rule, more exacting than our own Southern boru people. My father hired out slaves for many years for an estate; aud told me, what I knew to bo true, that those slaves never did refuso to* live with or run away from any but two men, and one of these was from Connecticut, and the o{hor from so'-'c other Northern State. When you return to your homes, bo industrious, sobor, and economical, save, your wagen and buy Und adorn your homes, however srtialftcducntc your children, cultivate pcaco with all, and G?d Will bloss and reward your efforts. I thank you 1 for.the respectful attention you have given mo