The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-17
An Appeal to Christians throughout
the World,

In consequence OF law passed By the
Legislature of Arkansas, compelling the
Ftco Colorcd People either to leave the
State or to Je enslavcd, wo, number OF
cxilcs, driven out by this inhuman statute,
Who reached Ohio on the Sd of January,
1860, feeling deep sense Of the wrong
dono US, make this APrEAL to the Christian
World.
We appeal to you, as children Of com.
mon Father. and believers in a crucihed
Rodcc,nor. To-day we are eyiles, driven from
youth, aud tho burial places of our friends.
W. are oxi,os not that our hands have been
stained with guilt, or our lives accused Of
crmo. Our fault, in land of Bibles and
Churches. of baptisms and prayers, is that
! in our veins flows the blood of an outcast
race; race oppressed BY power, and pro-
scrbed by prejudice; race Graded in
wrong. and nurtured in oppression.
| In tho very depth of tho winter, wo have
! left genial climate of sunny skies, to bo
homeless strangers in the regions of the icy
North Some of the exes have left their
children, who were very dear; but to stay
with them was to involve ourselves in q
lifetime of Blavory. Some left dear COM
panions: they were onslaved, and We had
no other alternative than slavery, or exile.
We were weak; our Oppressors were strong.
Wo wero fcejlc, scattered, peeled; they,
being powerful, placed before US slavery or
banishment We chose tho latter. Poverty,
trials and all the cares incident to life OF
freedom, are better, far better, than slavery.
From this torriblo injustice, we appeal to
the moral sentiment of the world. We turn
TO the free North but even here oppress-
ion tracks our steps. Indiana shuts her
doors upon US. Illinois denies US admission
to her prairie homes. Oregon refuses us
an abiding place for the soles of our weary
feet. And even Minnesota has our exclusion
under consideration. In Ohio wo found
kind hearts; hospitality opened her doors;
generous hands reached out warm and
hearty welcome. For this, may the God of
the fathcrloss forever bless them
And now, Christians, We APPEAL to you,
as heirs of tho same heritage and children
Of the samo Father, to PROTEST against
this gross and inhuman outrage, which has
been committed beneath the wing of the
American Eagle, and in tho shadow of the
American Church. We ask you, by the lovo,
the pity. and the mercy, in the religion OF
Jesus Christ that you will reIse your voices
and protest against this sin.
Editors of newspapers, formers of public
opinion. conductors of intelligence and
thought; we entreat you TO insert this appeal
in your papers; and unite your voices against
this outrage which disgraces our land, and
holds it up to shame before the nations of
tho earth. We ontreat you TO move wave
Of influence, which will widen, and spread
through all the earth, and roll back and
wash away this stain.
Christian mothers, By our plundered era.
! dies and chiId-bereft hearts,w we appeal to you,
and ask your protest.
Chistian fathers, By all the sacred associa-
tons that cluster around the name, father,
wo appeal to you to swell the tide of indg-
nation against our shameful wrongs.
! We appeal to the Church of Christ among
/ all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, to
protest against the inhumanity that has
driven US from our homes and our kindred.
! Members of all political parties, we ask
your protest. in the name Of common hu.
inanity, against this cruel act of despotisnl.
/ Christian Ministers, we appeal to you, in
the name Of Him who came ITO preach good
tidings to the meek, to bind up the broken.
hearted, TO proclaim liberty to the captive,
and the opening of the prison to them that
are bound" to Law before your congregations
the injustice done Us, and the wickedness ol
a system that tramples on the feeble, and
crushes out the rights of tho helpless.
And ~e appeal to the God of the father.
| less, and the Judge of the widow, that He
will remember His word, "Inasmuch as sc
have done it to ono of the least Of these, u
have done it unto me" that He will move
tho hearts of His children everywhere tC
unite their testimony against this unequallet
iniq quity that writes property" on man tina
chattellzes the immortal mind, and makes
merchandise of tho deafness soul. We
appeal to Him, who docs not permit q spar
row to fall 10 tho ground unnotced, to plead
the cause of the poor md needy. and SO
him at rest from him that puffeth at him.
ELIZA ANN WEST, REDFoRK Desha Co. Ark
RACHEL Love. NAPOLEON. Ark.
| Polly TAYLOR. LITTLE ROCK, Ark.
! CAROLINE PARKER,
JANE THOMPSON,
And others.