Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-10-07
The Negroes Of Cincinnati,

When danger threatened the City of
Cincinnati the abused colored men, who
had only recently been the victims of the
mob, sent Populations to Gen. Lew. Wal
lace, cheerfully offering their services in
any direction which he might appoint.
The mayor and the police, however seized
the negroes whenever they could find them
before any other step could be taken, and
with blows and imprecations forced them
into the trenches. But when this was
made known to Gen. Wallace he quietly
overruled the Mayor and gave the task of
organizing "The Black Brigade of Cincin-
nati'' to Judge Dickson. The Judge be-
ing humane man, found no lack Of vol
unteers, and soon LED his forces across the
the Ohio. Last Saturday the duty to
which they were assigned was finished, and
the brigade was about to be dismissed,
when the colored men, as an expression Of
their respect for their commander, present
ed him with a handsome sword. In ac-
knowledging the compliment, the Judge
paid these poor despised Cincinnati ne
groes a tribute of which men of white
skins might well be proud. Said he:
SOLDIERS OF THE BLACK BRIGADE:
You have finished the work assigned to
you upon the Notifications for tho defence
Of the city. You are now to be dischaig-s
cd. You have labored faithfully You
have made miles of military roads, miles
Of rifle pits, felled hundreds, of acres of
the largest and the loftiest forest trees, built
magazines and forts. The hillsaefOss yon-
der river will be perpetual monument of
your labors. You have in no spirit of
bravadc, in no defiance of established pref
udices, but in submission to it, intmated
to me your willingness to defend with your
lives the Notifications yoar hands have
built. Organized companies Of men Of
your race, armed and equipped at their
own expense, have rendered the services to
act in the defense of our city. In obedi-
ence TO the policy of the Government the
authorities have denied you this privilege.
In the department of labor permitted, you
have, however, rendered willing and
cheerful service. Nor has your zeal been
dampened by the cruel treatment you Rave
received. The citizens of both sexes have
encouraged you with their smiles and worss
Of appreciation; the soldiers have well
coined you as co-laborers in the same
great cause. But a portion of the police,
ruffians in character, early learning that
your offered services were accepted, and
seeking to deprive you Of the honor Of
voluntary labor, before opportunity was
given you to proceed to the field. rudely
seized you in the streets, in your places of
business, in your homes, everywhere, hur-
ried you into pens and thence across the
river to the Notifications, not permitting
you to maze any preparations for camp
life You have borne this with the accus-
toned patience of your race, and when
under more favorable auspices, you have
received only the protection due to COM
mon humanity, you have labored cheerful
" and effectively. Goto your homes with
the consciousness Of having performed
your duty, Of deserving, if you do not re-
ceiye, the protection of the law, and bear
ing with you the gratitude and respect of
all honorable men. You haze learned to
suffer and to wait, but in your hours Of
adversely, remember that the same God
who has numbered the hairs of our heads,
and who watches over even the fate Of a
sparrow, is the God of your race as well
as mine. The sweet blood which this ma
ton is now shedding at every pore, is an
awful warning of how fearful thing is is
to Cypress the humblest being. Until our
country shall again need your services, |
bid you farewell.
Shall we never free ourselves from
cruel prejudice against these people, and
learn from such lessons as these that to
trust them as men is the wiser as well as
the more humane!