, 1860-02-11
Hx1L1Nc FREE coloRED PEOPLE
An Appeal to Chrisffan1 throughout
the World.

In consequence Of q Inv passed by the Legis:.
lature Of Arkansas, compelling the Free Colored
People either to leaye the State or to oe en-"
alaved, we, number Of exiles, driven out By
this inhnman statute, who reached Ohio on the
Sd of January, 1860, feeling a deep sen:e Of the
wrong done US, make this appcal to the Chris
tian world.
We appeal 10 you, as children Of common
Father, and believer in cruciied KedeeIner.
To-day We are exiles, driven from the home Of
our childhood, the scenes Of our youth, and the
. .buria1.places OF our friends. We are ex'les; ;
not TINT our hands hare been stained with guilt.
or our lives accused Of crime. Our fault, in 4
land Of Bibles and Churches. of baptisms and
prayers, is, that in our veins'how the blood Of
IN ouscast race; race oppressed BY power,
and prescribed by prejudice; d race cradled in
wrong md nurtured in oppression.
In the very depth of Winter. we have left d
genial climate Of sunny skies, to be homeless
ofthe exilcs have left children who were very
dear; but to stay with them was TO involve our
selves in d lifetime Of Slavery. Some left dear
companions; they we're ensiayed, and VIC had
no other alternative than Slavery, or exile. We
were weak; our Of; ;rcssors were strong. We
were feeble, scattered. peeled; they, beingpow-
ertul, placed before LII Slavery or banishment.
We chose the latter. Poverty, trials, and all
the cares incident to life OF freedom ure better,
far better, than Slavery.
= From this terrible injustice, We appeal to the
moral sentiment Of the world. We turn To the
Free North; but even here oppression tracks
our steps. Indiana shuts her doors upon us.
Illinois denies us admission to her prairie
homes. Oregon refuses us IN abiding place for
the sO'es Of our weary feet. And ieveu Ninne-
sofa hns our exclusion under consideration, In
OHIO VIC found kind hearts; hospitality opened
her doors; generous hands reached out warm
and hearty welcome. For this, may the God Of
the Fathcrless ever defend and bless them.
Aud Low, Christians, we APr.AL to you, as
heirs Of the same heritage. aud children Of the
same Father, ia PROTEST against this gross
and lnbunau outrage, Which has been commit
ted beneath the wing of the American Eagle,
and in The shadow Of the American Church,
We ask you, tythe love, the pity, and the mcr-
cz i'll the religion of Jesus Christ, that you will
raise your VOICES aud protest against this sin.
Editors Of newspapers, formers Of public opiu-
ion, conductors Of intelligence and thought we
entreat you to in3ert this appeal in your papers
and unite your voices against this outrage which
disgraces our land, and hollis it up to shame
before the nations Of thu earth. We entseal
yuu move ware Of influence, which will widen
aud spread through all tue earth, aud roll back
and wash away this stain.
Christian mothers, ly our plundcrcd cradles
anu chlld-bercst hearta, we appeal to you anG
ask our protest.
Christian fhthefs, by all the sacred associa
t1ans that cluster around the name Of father, VI
| appeal to you 10 swell the tide Of indignation
| against our shameful wrongs.
Ne appeal to the Church of Christ among al
nations, klndreds, tongues, and people to protts
! against the inhuman.ty that has driven US frou
our homes and our kindred.
| Members Of all political parties, we ask you,
protest, in the name OF common humanity
| ngainst this cruel act Of despotlsu.
Christian ministers, we appeal to you, in th'
! name nf Him 1yHH cntna n Tranch snnft fidnn