The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-23
A Pleasing Picture.

can be extracted as this we give below from the
New Orleans Picayune, the bowling hypocrtes
at the North will have some right to lay claim
to honesty in their professions of philanthropy,
and of affection towards the "poor negro"
THE FREE CoLoRED VETERASs.--Not the
least Interesting, although the most novel fea-
ture Of the procession yesterday, was the pre-
sence Of ninety of the colored veterans who bore
a conspicuous part in the dangers Of the day
they were now for the first time called to assist
10 celebrating and who by their good conduct
in presence of the enemy, deserved and received
the appreciation Of their illustrious commander
in-chief During the thirty-six years that have
passed away since they assisted to repel the in
vaders from our shores, these faithful men have
never before participated in the annual rejocings
for the victory which their valor contributed to
gain. Their good deeds have been consecrated
only in their own memories, or lived but to
claim passing notice on the page of the histo-
rian. Yet who more than they deserve the
thanks of the country and the gratitude OF sue
ceeding generations? Who rallied with more
aacrty in response to the summons of danger !
Who endured more cheerfully the hardships of
the camp, faced with greater courage the perils
of the fight? If in that hazardous hour, when
our homes were menaced with the horrors of
war, we did not disdain to call upon the colored
population to assist in repelling the invading
horde, we should not when the danger is past
refuse to permit them to unite with us in cele-
brating the glorious event which they helped to
make so memorable an epoch in our history.
We were not too exalted to mingle with them
in the fray; they are not too humble to join in
our rejoicings.
Such, we think, is the universal OPTION of our
citizens. We conversed with many yesterday,
and without exception they expressed approval
of the invitation which had been extended to
the colored veterans to take part in the ceren1o-
MES of the day, and qualification at seeing them
in a conspicuous place in the procession.
The responsibility of their appearance and the
modesty of their demeanor made an impression
on every observer, and elected unqualified ap-
probation. Indeed, though in saying SO we do
not mean disrespect to any one else, we think
esting portion ofthe pageant, as they certainly
attracted the most attention. We were pleased
too, to observe that an honorable position was
assigned to them, Immediately in the rear of
those few remaining of our fellow-citzens who
participated in the battle of the eighth. AS they
passed us, many Of them totter,ng beneath the
weight of years, on the verge of that grave into
which all of US must descend together, We looked
with feelings akin to veneraion on their aged
FORMS We reflected that beEeath their dark
bosoms were sheltered faithful hearts suscepti-
BILE of the nobest impulses, and we involuntary
asked II these could be the people whom fatu-
itous fanatcism would array against those whom
their arms were ready to defend in the hour OF
dire extremity.
On such material, open or insdous efforts can
have no effect; and if the feelings of our free
colored population have not undergone any
change, all attempts TO swerve them from the
path of duty will hereafter, as in the past, prove
eminently futile. Could we tolerate the society
of such person, upon perhaps the most strik-
ing examples or the mos. severe logic wouid be
wasted. we could have wished yesterday tina,
the widest Northern Abolitionist had been pres
ent to witness the proceedings of the day to see
the Observation-Disclosures soldiers received and hon
ored by the most distinguished men of our city
occupying place with the most elevated, and
yet behaving with the modesty of the most
humble delighted to receive the need of praise
for their former deeds, yet unconscious that they
had done anything beyond compliance with tbei,
duty. Could an Abolitionist have seen these
things, he would, were his impracticable nature
capable of receivinga correct impression, depart
from among us better and wiser man. He
would be convinced of the folly of his course
and the vanity of his endeavors
In another point of view we think that the
participation of The coored veterans in the cere-
monies of yesterday will have a favorable result
We have no doubt that it will produce an ex-
tremely salutary effect on the free colored inha-
hitants of the city. They will know that adher-
ence to correct line of conduct must secure tn
them the respect of the community, rs surely as
a contrary course will condemn them to suspi-
cion and disgrace. AS class, they are peace
able, orderly and respectable people, and many
Of them own large amounts of property among
us. Their interests, their homes, and their affec-
tons are here, and such strong ties are not easily
broken by the force of theoretical philanthropy
or imaginative sentimentality. ] hey have been
true hitherto, and we will not do them the in.
justice to doubt a continuance of their fidelity
While they may be certain that INSTRUMENTATION
will be promptly punished deserving actions
will always meet with their due reward in the
esteem and gratitude of the community.
From The Lyiehb,ug (va.) Republican.
TIE Hon. Thos. S. BococK--We have the
pleasure this morning of announcing to our
readers, that the gentleman whose name heads
this article. is candidate for reelection to the
seat which he now occupies in the Congress OF
Al - Al Il Al