That we have been true to our country and loyal to its interests is indisputable. We may point with pride to Attucks, a full blooded negro, who stepped upon Boston Common and became one of the first martyrs to die to maintain against British tyranny the patriotic attitude of the American colonies. In the second war with Great Britain the colored people were no less loyal; we figured conspicuously in the bloody struggles of New Orleans. When the majority of the American people denounced slavery as petty and tyrannical, when through secession the Confederacy of the Southern States was formed, when the South took up arms to overthrow the Union, the Negro was again ready to answer his country's call. He was present with Sherman when he made his famous march "from Atlanta to the Sea." And even these fields which overlook our lovely city upon which he dropped his sweat, were sprinkled with his blood when the time was ripe for military action. He fought well at Gettysburg. Out of old Nashville, too, with her slave system has come new Nashville with her splendid schools. Thus in every contest of our country for existence and independence, none have labored more incessantly and given their lives more freely for the maintenance and perpetuity of our institutions. Moreover, in our record never have we joined with other classes, who, with a rebellious spirit have excited civic revolt and disturbed public peace. While it is true that many of the base and corrupt walk the streets in idleness, the better element at the humble trades and more exalted professions have set out to live by the sweat of their own brow and with their powers to work out their own destiny. We may not, indeed, boast of achievements which other races have accomplished in hundreds of years. Nay, we confess that ignorance and immorality and vice of every description exist among us. To eradicate totally the curse of slavery in thirty years would be miraculous indeed. There are among us some who steal, but not all of us are rogues by any means. When a decision of our accomplishments is given, some judge us by the number of prisoners among us. But there are among us many good men and women, who uphold the right, who in competition with other men and women have held their places with credit.