Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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paramount to all others in the public mind, namely, the restoration and reconstruction of the Union of the United States. During the late gigantic civil war, I was a citizen of tho State bf Ken? tucky, one of the then slave States which refused to secede, from the Union. In that course, I joined most heartily. From the beginning, I saw that the movement of secession was one fraught with danger, poverty, and the defeat of the.Confederacy; and I had too long followed the flag df my fathers, to be content to yield it to any other country or Government. I was too much of an Anglo-Saxon, or Anglo-American, to give up one foot of that soil for which our fathers fought, bled and died, that they might establish an American repub? lic. (Applause.) Hence it is that I am here on the present occasion, to disc usa these questions with you as citizens of the United States of America. Ninety-one years ago to-day, na you have heard read this morning, our forefathers-the wise, good and great men of that nge-met in the old Independence Hall, iu Philadel ghia, and declarod that the then olonies were the United States; that they were, and of a right ought to be, free, and, amidst the ringing of belle and the rejoicing of the people, they announced the birth of another mem? ber into the great family of nations. This was not remarkable. Other na? tions had been born into the family before; other nations had thrown oil the yoke of despotism, and become free and independent Governments before. And this nation knew, in com? mon with its predecessors, that a long struggle would ensue ere tho mother country would allow these young Colonies to pluck from her proud brow such a gem as the American Republic. Thoy expected poverty and misfortune, but in tho spirit of tho immortal declaration of Patric'. Henry, they determined to achiovo their liberty or receive their death. There was, however, fellow-citizens, another and distinguishing trait of this declaration that had no prece? dent, and to that I desire to call your careful attention. Before tho meeting of tho Congress of ?77G-a Congress of authors, phi? losophers and statesmen-the rights of governments had been derived from various sources-some from discovery, some from conquest, some from the iron arm of war, and others from that dignity and "divinity that doth hedge the king." But, until that memorable fourth day of July, iu no authoritative form, had it been announced that the only true princi? ple of government, the only right of government, was to be found in tho consent of tho people governed. For the first time in tho history of tho world, it was declared that tho only title a government could have to the exhibition aud sway of power over o peoplo, was to bo found iu tho hearts of the people over whom it was to bo exercised. This is tho kej'-note of the American republic. It is thc foundation, tho chief corner-stono of the glorious superstructure of Ameri? can nationality. This principle was annouueed without limitation; and the only restraint imposed was con? fined to that class of peoplo who, by reason of youth or moral or intellec? tual deficiency, were incapable ol expressing that assent in tho lega] form. The principle, however, wai universal, It was as broad as thc universe, wide as humanity, wherevei there was a government, tho only rights it could assert were d?riv?e from tho consent of tho peoplo go verned. Wo have not yet realized the entire extent of that immorta doctrine; but he must bo an idioi who cannot see, in tho logic of events, that we aro marching with gigautu strides to the fulfillment of thai great principle-that glorious trott which was proclaimed by our father! with prophetic wisdom. See what wo have accomplished The thirteen Colonies which skirted the Atlantic Ocean from Georgia t< New Hampshire, have increased uuti we now number thirty-six grea States. We have extended thebouud aries of the republic from thc rock bound coast of the Atlantic in th East, to the golden sands of the Pa cific in tlie West-from the broai acres of the North to tho rollin prairies of Mexico in the South while latterly we havo reached on tho strong arm of the republi aud brought within its grasp th icebergs where the Russian ben has made his home. And the do tiny of this great nation is to sti stretch and expaud itself until it hi becomo tho Ocean-bound Continent! Republic of a free, enlightened un happy people. (Cheers.) Under that declaration, we fon gi Great Britain for seven years. Ol fathers endured danger, toil, privi tior>. povorty and death; they marci cd over frozen ground with bare au Moody feet; they lay in tho cold i Valley Forge without fuel and foo and yet they struggled on, until tl capture of Cornwallis at Yorktow proclaimed tho success of their cans and that the glorious principle tin had planted was about to bear i fruit. Time wore on. Then came tl second war bf independence. Tl haughty mistress of the seas undc took to impress seamen and cur them away in their ships. We d dared that American nationality w sacred, and that no American oitize however humble o weak, should 1 torn irom his un 'ance to the cou fry by tho baud ol a foreign pow< Wo met this mistress of the seas upon hor'own b?ttle-fleld, her own element, and the republio, young as she was, dissipated the title forever. Then came the war with Mexico. When that treacherous nation iii vaded our rights, we showed that tho Republic was mighty for conquest, and a little handful of men, led by the heroic Taylor and Scott, pierced from the Guli to the capital, captured a nation of eight millions of people, and took enough of territory to pay the expenses of the conquest, una make them behave themselves in future. Then came the saddest chapter of all-the gigantic revolution among ourselves, this terrible civil war, which has devastated the country, and under the iron reign of whioh a million of men went down into their graves both North and South. It cost millions of dollars, it created a debt the magnitude of -which is start? ling to tho mind, it called for men and soldiers by hundreds of thou? sands, it spread demoralization like a poll over tho land, and yet tho Go? vernment, .fnimnted by this immortal principle, by the aid of God, showed that it was able to withstand thc shock of civil war, and to-day the bonner of the freo lloats triumphant over every foot of soil in tho great Republic. (Cheers.) Of tho causes of that war, I do not intend to speak, except in so far as may bo necessary to throw light upon the present situation and future con? dition. I approach tho subject with? out any feeling of unkindness. I have offered my life as a guarantee of the sincerity of my convictions, and have suffered, perhaps, in the loss of my all, aa much as any man in tho broad South; but God forbid there should be in my heart a single thought of revenge against tho people, misguided and wrong, though I think they were, who originated this tremendous re? bellion. I know "it is human,to orr, but divine to forgive." I want to see my countrymen, with? out distinction of raco or oolor, livo together in peace, prosperity, happi? ness and liberty. I want to see my country, with its wounds all healed, become, under the influence of our institutions, tho best and tho grand? est nation on tho globe. As ono of those rams in Charleston harbor was able to sink a steamer by a singlo blow, so would I liko to seo tho United States so powerful and great, that wo can niter the map of tho world by a single stroke of our arms. (Applause.) What, then, were the causes which led to tho struggle? They were two mutual and auxiliary-ucti?g upon each other. These wero African slavery and State rights. Both of these questions have been settled by tho war. No power, short of Omni? potence, can restore them. Now, understand me. Tho white people of the South are no more to blame for holding slaves than slaves were to blame for not being so well informed as tho whites are. Slavery came to this people from their ances? tors. It was au institution they fourni among themselves. It was not theil fault, although it has turned out tc be their misfortune. It is said thal tho colored people arc ignorant, bul they aro not to blame for that. Hence? forth, however, we shall till be to blame, if we do not furnish you with tho means of education, and of ad vancing you to a condition in whicl your mental improvement will enable you to meet wants which result fron your new condition. It is a mistake so suppose that ii largo portion of tho pcoplo of tin South owned slaves. An examina tiou shows that only about one ii nineteen did so; but theso were tnt governing classes. They believer that slavery was a divine right, am they searched back to Shem, Han and Japhet to prove it. They in tended to preserve and perpetuate the institution, but this time "vault iug ambition o'erleaped itself ant fell on t'other side." As a corrolary to this condition o thiugs, the people had been educatet in the doctrine of State rights, bu this, like slavery, has been settled lr the war. What a thought ! That a far as our flag extends, from th gulf to tho lukes, from the Atlanti to tho Pacific, human slavery has n moro a in mo or place, and that ever man, without regard to class or grade stands upright ns God made him free and' independent! That th doctrine of State rights, as taught i the South, hus been forever swer away by shell and bolt and bayonet in the bands of "tho boys in blue; and that everybody now understand that this is not merely one govert ment, but a strong government i that. Thus much, therefore, hi been accomplished. It belongs t the past. Now, let us start righ The two races of tho South owe mnc lo each other. And allow me to sn here, that lhere uro two classes ? men in tho South alike dangerous 1 the colored population. Ono cia talks to you in this way: "Don allow anybody from nm..her State 1 advise you; you must trust yo?r.Ow people-those at hom?.-your lorim masters; they are your politic guides, ns they were your person guides before. " I do not approve of any sue theory. I am an American" iu tl broadest sense of the term; and whi I regard it an honor to be a oitizen South Carolina, as I did of Ko tacky, I rejoice in the proudc nobler appellation of an Amena citizen. Hence, I say, if a man com from any part of tho United State , * ? ? * * ?"-??? ?? ? ?' ??..-?????-?-. aud, gives you good advice, take it. Truth is eternal; it caunot be injured I or destroyed. You cannot destroy i truth until yon destroy God, who is himself truth. I There is another class who tell von to have nothing to do -with tho white i people of the Booth-to organize I yourselves without reference to them. These are just os mischievous as the : first. I tell you that yon cannot make this war upon the white people, ! and it is your duty to live with them in liarmony and peace. Although you may bo in a majority in South Carolina, remember that your State is but a small portion of the Union. Love it. Labor for ita institutions; labor to create prosperity for your? selves and your neighbors; labor iu concord with the white population; maintain 3*011 r self-respect; do right, and make no war upon anybody who belongs to the United States of Ame? rica. Auother thing, fellow-citizens; you must not be tc o severe upon those j persons who were in this war. Men ; will not voluntarily face death in be- j half of a principle unless they think they are right; and when six hundred thousand went into the field and of? fered their lives, they testified that they were honest, and they deserve tho respect that should bo accorded to the brave. I do uot proposo to ostracise men who have shown such gallantry and devotion, even iu a bad cause. No, fellow-citizcus, thc true and honorablo policy of tho colored popu? lation of the South is to livo in har? mony and peace with all men ; to edu? cate yourselves and your children; to cany yourselves forward and upward in tho intellectual scale as rapidly as possible; to do, in short, what is ne? cessary in order that you shall become a worth}* part of the great Govern? ment of the greatest peoplo upon tho habitable globe. (Great applause.) The war is over, but the r?volution is not. Tho first guu fired in Charleston harbor at thc American flag begau tho revolution that is not yet com? plete, and when it will pud, depends upon the good sense of tho people of the United States. It is truo that war has its purposes. As in nature, the shower you have just experienced, the rolling thunder and forked light? ning, servo to clear the atmosphere, so iu the political world tho clash of arms, although it leaves its sad me? mentoes behind, as it has done in your own beautiful city, purifies the air, gives a new impetus to lifo, and prompts man to tako a step forward in progress and humanity. I have said that the war hos ended, but the revolution hos not; aud, fel? low-citizens, it never will until all chese States return to the constella? tion of the Union, and, with equal rights, a free people are ngain mus? tered under the glorious llag of the republic. It is said by a great many honest and well-meaning people that the course of tho Congress of the United States is unconstitutional. That is a question which it is unnecessary to discuss, because when the clang of anns is heard, the laws are silent. If it be so, it is tho result of the revolu? tion begun in South Carolina, the reverberation of whose guns is heard in the political world to-day, and that revolution will uot terminate until these States aro ugam iu the Union and nuder the protecting folds of the Constitution. (Cheers.) Tho Constitution, the laws, prece? dents, are but gossamer webs, through which thu arm of power breaks, with no palpable resistance. Until God creates men over again, and humanity has another damper, the conqueror l?ways will dictate terms to the con? quered. Wo were a great people; we attempted independence; it slipped from our grasp; tho Hag of our Go? vernment is uudor tho foot of the power that has conquered us, aud we must accept such terms us the con? queror gives us. Such ought to be the reasoning of the people of tho South. Yet, some say, "We would rather havo a military government forever, than accept the proffers of a radical Congress.*' I do not like this kind of stoicism at all. The doctrino of the stoic is, if 3*011 don't like a thing, why, kill yourself. Now, I am not so anxious to get out of tho world as that; I pre? fer to sta}* where I am better ac? quainted, as tho sick man said. (Laughter.) Tho true policy is, un? doubtedly, to get back into the Union, lt is our birth-right to.be iu it. It is death to be out of it. We are weak, powerless-we ure nothing, nud count as nothing. Military government is a blight upon republican institutions, and, under it, you would be as much en slaved as you ever were. Liberty um tho bayonet do not go hand in hand The free consent of honest hearts i: tho only criterion of government not swords, i'ot bayonets. Hence J am surprised iliat mei: choose as som? seem to havo done. The terms ar< such as Congress has seen fit to pro pose. As a citizeu of South Carolina I am bound to accept them. As 1 citizen of the United S: .! ., I an bound to accept them. 'AJi no look ing to tho prosperity of the South, must accept them, us au alternativ of that militar}* despotism which with its iron heel, will crush out ever; remnant of liberty in the country. Many persons consider these term harsh aud oppressive. Thoy aro sud as tho conqueror has ohosen to die tate to us. But whether harsh o oppressive, I may say that ther never was a civil war on tho habitabl globe, where the terms hayo been s _ little oppressive as in this ease. Never was there an instance in which the conqueror showed such un? bounded mercy to the conquered. Consider that six hundred thousand men-the flower of the youth of the North- Lave been offered up to this god of war. Every house is a house of mourning; the land has been bathed in tears; thousands upon their crutches are limping through the high-ways and the by-ways of the country, and a nation has wept over the dead and tho dying. The war over, Lee, Johnston and Dick Taylor surrendered; yet not ono drop of blood has been shed iu punishment for what had occurred; no man has been executed. The people of tho North have shown that what they wore fighting for was the domination of Americau sovereignty and tho perpetuity of the American Union. They demanded no victim, and sacrificed no ono upon thc altar. I wonder if the people of tho South had been tho conquerors, they would ! have offered better terms or shown themselves more merciful. If so, I think they would have been more humane than I think it possible for humanity to bc. The North offers to the South tho privilege of re-entering the Union on certain conditions-namely: that there shall bo certain equal rights and privi? leges between all classes and condi? tions of men. It having been under? stood that the vast mass of tho colored peoplo -were favorablo to the causo of tho North, can it bo expected that a governmeut sustained by tho sympa? thies and arms of this race would leavo them to tho tender mercies of anybody, to bo deprived of tho liberty they had forght for and won in this great contest? Aro not tho peoplo of the South willing to accept theso conditions? Much depends upon you, my colored friends, in the adjustment of this matter, mid I say to you again, educate your children; send them to school; pursue your avocations honestly, like men of sense, industriously and energetically; iud when you go to tho polls, go as freemen, as Americans, not as colored men, not as the members of any class, but as belonging to tho whole United States, and vote for those men and principles which you bclievo most conducive to the liberty, pros? perity, greatness aud glory of your country. If you will glance over the map, rou will see that it was intended for but one country. Beginning nt thc mouth of the Kio Grande, where, imong the quiet recesses of the ;oast, tho doves of commerce find ihelter from the storm, louk upwoads intil your eye rests on the Bay of Passamaquaady; thence cross the ?reatinland seas that divide thc corni? ly from British America; thence move icross tho plains towards tho Rocky Mountains, where the iron horse is ;o fast making its way that, in a year 'rom now, ho will scale the highest .rag, and, with a joyous note of riuinph. pursue his way down the Pacific slope, to hold forevermore the Bastero and Western portions of the .ontincnt in loving union; return lown the Pacific coast to the point vhenceyou started, and then look over he country, with its mighty vivers, jearing upon their bosom so much of ts vast wealth; seo a laud where ;very conceivable character of soil, diraate, production and resources ^xist in every stage of development, rom tho simplest to the grandest ook at the people, their language, ?abits, genius, enterprise and worth; ;heir devotion to a cause in which, relieving tho.y were right, they sacri iced a million of human lives-r >eople whom God has planted upoi his continent, so full ol' excellence md glory, and power, and beauty ind when you take the whole seen? n-these mighty rivers, these cloud iis.^ir.c; mountains, and great iulanc ?eas, .di a patt of the glory of thi: jreat republic-tell mc it, when Goi ?rented tho world, He did not desigi his to be one country, one nationali y, one Union, forever? (Great ap douse.) And what "God has joinet ogether, let no man dare to pu isunder." (Renewed cheering.) In the providence of the God o Battles and of Nations, this is to bi he great and mighty nation of earth ?CVC thc tree of civil and religion iberty, (us was eloquently said ii ho opening prayer,)' planted am vatered by the blood of patriots nm he tears ol' saints, is to grow unti ill tho people of the United State nay repose iu peace, freedom an lafety beneath its shade. Until th inn himself shall "pale his intcllcc ital tires," ami God sun ff out th noon and stars, the American repnl ie will exist-powerful, mighty, fret v\'ill you not, my countrymen, a ake part in this great work, an >ar tia pate in the benefits that wi ?ceme? Under our American inst utions, tho humblest individual ma ispire to the loftiest trust. Som irohiu is on the farm or in th ichd?l-honse to-day, who will be th President of tho United State; [*Ower and fame in America do n< lepchd upon conquest and title, bi Ipon the energy, intent and virtue < lie individual aspir mt. My countrymen, let us undcrstnn he full dignity of our position. A m r the world, except in tho Unite States, the armed heel of pow? uushes ' the spirit of liberty. A iver tho world, the despot revels i uxury, while the miserable victi danks his chains. Men tell us aboi ;ho freedom of Eugland. True, son persons are free; but how many a iot! It is tho freest Goverumei upon earth, except our own; andi yet ! inillious of young people are at this boar delving in mines, who never saw the sun in tho beavens. They were born in the mines; they labor nnd dig and die in the mines; and the great parks and baronial man? sions are thus built up with the fruits of the most hateful slavery on earth. While England has been growing great, and her possessions are in? creasing in wealth in every part of the globe, she has crushed labor and destroyed freedom, to build up a bloated and effete prosperity, and at this hour thero ascends tr ?he God of Nations a cry more fearful than that of those souls who, under tho altar, cried in their agony, "How long, O Lord, wilt thou not avenge our blood upon those who dwell upon the earth?" Recent events have put us iu a po? sition in which our institutions aro no longer exceptionable. The privilege of being free implies a corresponding obligation to bc honest, industrious and respectable. Allegiance and Go? vernment aro reciprocal. You owe allegiance to tho Government, and with your enfranchisement come grave duties to humanity.which must bo fulfilled-duties which you owe not more to your people and your Government than to your God. With these responsibilities upon you, fellow-citizens, let mo trust that you will make activo uso of your op? portunities to improve your condition; that you will make only just laws, under which all meu may live harmo? niously, and that you will discard whatever feelings of unkindness are calculated to excite prejudice or beget animosity. Let tho dead past bury its dead. Live for a liviug present nud future Government of freo, en? lightened and independent people. As I remarked in commeuciug this address, I had no time to proparo a set oration, and I have thrown out desultory thoughts as they occurred to my mind. To thank you cordially is the best return I can make for your xttentiou; and allow mo to express, in conclusion, tho wish that you and your children and your posterity may sit under tho vine and fig treo of American freedom, and continue a prosperous and powerful nation until :inie shall bo no moro. *' On thc conclusion of theso remarks, P. Nowell, B. F. Randolph and other ?olored speakers, delivered addresses, jut owing to the rain and untoward :ircu instance.;, wo were unable to pro mre them. The procession was then .eformed, marched back to their place if assembling and there dismissed. ---nimn Ladies, Please Notice. UMBRELLAS, PARA ?SOL?-, FANS and JEWELRY, neatly repaired. New FANS made for those (furnishing feathers. CLOCKS r< paired, cleaned and warrant? ed, by J. E. LUMSDEN, Corner Lady and Assembly streets. April 111 _ ' TO RENT, 11HE ROOM over the ?toro of Thomson Earle. Anplvto April RI ALFRED TOLLESON. NEW AND JUST WE HAVE RECEIVED, t lie following: A COMPLETE LINE OF : Every style of HOOP SKIJ Pip-Top, Demi-Quaker, Invi Paris Trail. Ladies' Extra Single Steel, Misses Single St jle fastenings, Sec., A:c. REAL VAL. INSERTING BLACK SILK LACES am" White Silk Laces and.Edgi Heal SWISSES- Paris, Swi? JACONET and SWISS ED tOBBIXET MOSQUITO XB?TBG FRENCH WOVE CORSETS R. C June 27 FAMILY MEDICINES A THOMPSON'S GENUINE EYE WA'JLB, for sore and inflamed eves. Sf McAllister's All-healing Salve-a > ,!u ablo ointment for old sores. Dalby's Carminative for Children. Fly Poison Paper, for instant death to flies. Harvey's Rat Plums, the rat annihi? lator. "Harlcam Oil," tho Dutch specific-a cure-all. Extract Lemon aud Vanilla, for flavoring. Floa Powder, for insects, ants, Ac. Soothing Syrup, for children toething. 8ugar Plums, for worms-the Pontoons. Soda Wator Powders, for a cool drink. For sale by FISHER & HEINIT8H, June 1_ Druggists. Agricultural and Horticultural Im? plements. At th? Sign of the Golden Pad-Lock. ALARGE SUPPLY of tho above, con? sisting in part of PLOWS, HARROWS, FAN MILLS, GRAIN CRADLES, Scythes, Straw Cutters, Corn Shelters. ALSO, Pruning Saws and Knives, Ladies' Gar? den Tools, in sotts and pairs; Transplant? ing Trowels and Forks, Spades, Spading Forks, Rakes. Hoes, Line?, Ac. lu stoic and for salo LOW for CASH bv April 5_J O HM" Q. DIAL. Td gomm BERCHAKTS! HOCK ist&flp coops* IF von deaire to supply vourselves for tho FALL and WINTLR TRADE, with tho VERY BEST DESCRIPTIONS and STYLES of AU-wool Cassimeres! AND WITH THE MOST DURABLE Jeans and Kersey Fabrics! AU free from shoddy and other imparities, Order Samples from tho subscriber, and they will Ito forwarded, with prices attach edj'.during the months of July aud August. From theeo samples you can make your selections and return your orders: and tho goods will be forwarded directly from tho manufactory. JOHN A. YO?NG, President Rock IslandManufac. Co., June 2 imo Charlotte, N. C. IS THE undersigned informs tho public that he is making .wookly additions to his stock ljf goodB; and as ho pur? chased for cash, will disposo of them at reasonable figures. Ho invites an inspection of his stoc'.t, which consists of WATCHES. JEWELRY, CLOCKS, 1 SPECTACLES, GOLD PENS, Ac. PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. HAIR JEWELRY and ORNAMENTS prepared in various stvloa. I. STJLZBACHER, At Sulzbaoher & Co.'a, Assembly ht. Muy lg_" Cabinet-maker, Upholsterer and Undertaker. HAYING resumed tho Jabove business, I am pre? pared to execute all kinds of work in tho above lino at tho shortcut notice and nio.-d reasonable prices. A variety of COFFINS constantly cn hand. Funerals prompt Iv attended. * Aug 30 M. H, BERRY. At Brennan A Carroll's Carriago Factor y. DESIRABLE I N imongst our NEW GOODS, ENGLISH HOSIERY. EIT, comprising the following: sible Quaker, Demi-Duplex, Long Demi-Quaker, Child's col, in movable rind immova 8, GUIPURE EDGINGS, I EDGINGS. Swiss Mulls, ngs, Thread Bratlings, ss, Nainsooks and Mulls, G?X?x. fee, &c. Also, -ALL WIDTHS AND PRICES. 5, at Lowest Posible Prices. ?HI V ER. WASHINGTON mint mum THE SUBSCRIBERS have just re? ceived tho agency of the celebrated j|| Washington Washing Machines and Fo? lg tent Clothes Wringer?. They are rc ?V markable for their simplicity and dara '\ bility, and are decidedly the best article I yet introduced. Prico of Machine n?d . Wringer, complete, 125. March 21 J. & T. R. AGNEW.