Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-09-09
From DR.. Douglas's Paper.
C0LORED MEN CITIZENS.

We learn from the Washington correspondent oi
the Baltimore Sun, that a fugitive slave who had
gone to a foreign country, upon sustaining in that
country what he conceived to be wrong from IT,
Government, applied to the U. 5. Minister for pro-
lection as Il citizen of the United States. The de-
cision, we are informed, was adverse to lis right
to claim the intervention sought
1t is said that the minister refused the negro q
passport ON the ground that black man was not
considered citizen of the United States We grave
~ ask the question we arc not citizens then what
arc we? What constitutes citizenship in this coun-
try? Is color a constitutional disqualification p
II so' there are great many so called 'clHe men
VINO are not citizens, for we know not few who
would be taken for coored men, if the CON plex0n
were the standard. Neither does the texture OF
the halr exclude any one from the privileges OF
American Citizens, that is, in compliance with the
edlct OF the Constitution 1t is ust rs consiitu-
tional 70 ostracise all the bald heads, or 'heads
with sandy hair to thrust Il man, in the coun-
try, with woody hair, outside the pale Of American
Citizenship.
We believe the Government recognizes the exist
ence OF but two classes of population, natives,
citizens and aliens, -..
Co!cred men, born on the soil, cannot be aliens
OF course not. They cannot therefore, be ndtura!j
aeo " no ever heard Of II colored American being
naturaIized in the United States This government
naturalizes foreigners only. We must then be
CITIZENS. Our white fellow citizens may with.
hold our right, but they cannot annihilate it.
Again we were regarded, in lSl4 as citizens
why not in 1851? On Dec. 18th 1914, General
jackson issued the following address to the free
people Of Color.
SOLDIERS When on the banks of the Mobile
caied you to take up arms, inviting you to partake
the perils and glory of your tshUe fclloU cHiscas
Lcrpected much from yOu: for | was not ignorant
that you possessed qualities most formidable to an
invading enemy. | knew with what iortitude you
could endure hunger and thirst and all the fatigue.
Of campaign. knew 5ccU ho,c you lorcd your ma.
tire c1Hatry and that you as well ms ourselves, had
TO defend what MAN holds most dcar--his parents
his wife, children, and property. YoU HAVE DONE
MORE THAN EXPECTED. In addition to the pre-
yiots Qualities | before knew you to possess,
found among you noble enthusiasm, which .cads
to tho performance cf great things.
Soldiers, The President of the United State,
shall hear how praiseworthy was your conduct il
the hour OF danger, and the representatives OF the
ploits cntitlc You to. Your General, anticipat
them IN appiauding your noble ardor.
The enemy approaches his vessels cover ouI
lakes; our brave citizens are united, and all con
tontion has ceased among them. Their only dis
pute Is, who shall win the prize of valor. or who
the most glory It's noblest reward. By Order
TnoMAs Butler, Aid de-Camr"
/ Aud now with the broad, blazing sunlight Of thc
Revolution flashing across our path, and revealing
/ to The gaze of all men, the prowess and patriotism
jol colored Americans IN the hour that tried ME
souls. we are told we not citizens. Shame up
on this migrate government But we will continue
to regard ourselves Citizens, and as such demand
our rights. We ask no fayors at the hand of the
United Stat,s,
We arc told we cannot rise Take the millstonc
from Off our necks. We are inferior to the white
man Gjce rs oar rights. Treat us like men, and
Ito" If we do not equal our malignors, in every
respect, let us be the reel cipents Of the intensified
hate OF this perrerse generation. Pull down the
barrier that obstructs our progress: hew down the
mountains fill up the valleys, or suffer us to do So
and then our enemies may pirate as loudly as they
please about our innate iniCriority.--W.