The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-08-10


colored people of Ohio are iodustrou:
and honest, and temperate, the spirit G
oppression will be too weak any Ionge
!. to bind its calling yoke upon our necks
t We do not mention this to Justify tn,
e oppressor, but TO point out straight an,
narrow way, that most surely leads to tn,
: accomplishment of that great object, 70
which your convention is called We dc
not consider ii necessary to inform The
: legislature Of Ohio, that their laws Oh.
press rs. They know that already. They
made them on purpose to Cypress u.s.
Their object was TO drive US somewhere
else. They fear US. We are called oilers
thieves, AID drunkards. They believe US
to be nusances. They have listened to
: the whispers of prejudice and the sugees.
lions of slavery, till their black code rivals
in cruelty the laws of Nero. Bnt thanks
to an overriding Providence, the people
are better than their laws; and we are
permitted 10 live in some degree of quiet
and safety. At least, in or present resi-
dence in this country, we have never, in
any manner, been injured by our white
nelghbors; but, on the contrary we have
been treated in kind and friendly man.
ner
They attend our meetings come TO our
mill employ our mechanics and day la
] borers; buy our provisions, ard we do
the same by them That is, we all seek
our own convenience and interest, without
regard 10 color.
Seven years ago, when our settlement
first tegan, there was the common preiu-
dice against us, that we should not be able
to take care of ourselves; and of course,
what we lacked in the supplying of our
wants, they thought must come from
them.
But TINT we ale no, oilers, is now ap-
parent from the fact of our having cleared
1000 acres of wild land made and laid
up $4,000 rails, and built at least 200
different kinds Of buildings, Ito say moth
ing of some $4,000 which individuals
of US have paid for our Freedom besides
having in our settlement halter, wagon
maker, a blacksmith, a tanner, shoe.
maker, carpenters, masons and weavers,
most of whom find constant employment.
We have also burnt several brick -kilns. |
The means by which we obtain our
livelihood, are seen and known by all |
our neighbors; and the result is as we
have stated. We receive no more damage
from our white ighoors than we do from
one another.
And now, our colored brethren, we
appeal 10 you, especially to those of you
who live in towns, and follow those pre-
carious occupations for livelihood, which |
prejudice has assigned to you, would you
not be serving your country, and your
race. to more purpose, if you were to |
leave your present residences and employ
ments, and go into the country, and be-
come a part of the bone and sinew OF the
lahd4 Now,
in the time Of peace, let US be useful in
carrying on agriculture, and commerce,
and the mechanic arts. We shall event
uaIly be valued according to our worth.
Before the legislature will make laws
TO protect US, one of two things must take
place. Either the white people must have
a revival of faith in their own principles
of liberty" and make equal laws for the
love of justice, without regard 10 what
they consider bad character; or we, the
colored people, must become more vaua-
bic to the State. We must he! p it to raise
revenue, and increase its wealth, BY
throwing our labor into profitable employ
ments. We must not only not be NUS
ance, but we mus. seem not 10 be so. Our
employments must be of that character,
that people can see how we obtain our
livelihood, and that we are useful. What
is it TO the State when a waiter, or boot
black. or cook dies2 What profit to
the State is all their labor? Ii we then,
as people, are a useless class, and can
show no fruit as the result of our indus
try, why should we not be suspected, de-
spised ridiculed? But. on the other hand,
if our labor is all honorable and profta-
bic, both TO ourselves and the State, we
shall have the increased satisfaction of
good living, and good name, besides
something TO show as the fruits of our
labor, and something 10 leave as an inner.
lance to our children. We see then,
brethren, but these two ways Of Obtaining
our rights. The first proposes change
in the oppresaor-the second change in
the oppressed. The one honorable to our
oppressors, the other profitable TO our
selves. Let US do our duty, and leave the
event with Providence.
With sentiments of respect, and with |
feelings of love and good will TO our col
ored brethren. AMI best wishes for their
welfare, we subscribe ourselves your
friends and lelow-citzens.
M p. Jones, D F. Hardy, Thomas F.
Bowles, Geo. Overton, ]. Bowles, P. Ware,
S. Jones. Il. Epson, S. Green, Committee.