, 1862-08-11
Co1ored Regiments
Editors Chicarn Tribune.

Tuesdays dispatches inform us that the
patriotic Gov. Sprague, Of that gallant little
State Rhode Island, had called upon the col
orcd people Of the State to follow him to the
battle field. The announcement created o joy
in the breast of every colured man in the
country; for it seemingly indicated the dawn
Of better days; that theiinfuence Of slavery
was losing its hold upon our rulers, as it is
NTH the people.
From the fall OF Sumter the co1ored man
has been begging to help save the country.
His motives have been from sincere sense
Of duty to his country, to the enslaved,
his children, civilization, and in fact every
noble duty which can aniInate mankind
Meetings have been held, companies formed,
ard regiments offered. Men we're formed
into companies in this city, uniforms pur-
chased by each individual, and they were
suffered to parade unarmed through the
streets Of Chicago, showing devoI on to
country unsurpassed by any people in the
known world.
Tell me where are people who would
make public parade where drums are re-
fused them? Did they deserve this Injustice?
Look at the record of 'hcrOism displayed by
those people during the Revolution, ,and in 1872
See what the old hero Gen. jackson says
dGtuG 14E [u1N1cu 6O1u4EG8. A4UUh dk LIE
brave act Of the pilot Of the steamer Planter,
and his comrades, and the service they are
now rendering the government. Look at
TilgIman who rescued the vessel from the
rebel prize crew. Mark the bravery Of the
man S1aints, at the battle Of Belmont, wh.re
| acting in the capacity Of servant, he slew q
rebel in the act Ut taking the life Of General
NcCleruaEd; and the devotion Of the man
wEo, by timely warning saved the whole of
Gen. bas Is command from capture in the
Shenandoah.
These are only few Of the cases oi bravery
ard devotion to the Union which has escaped
suppression By pr6-sIareEy officers, civil and
mllitarJ, on both sides, Union aud rebel.
Gov. SpTague is not Ignorant Of the worth
Of the colored soldier. He calss- on him to
| volunteer in defense Of a common country,
| doubtless believing that the whole people
| we're prepared rs he were to see the rebellion
| suppressed. But the same tEenty-four hours
tlAE chronicles his inVitation to the co1ored
| peuIl1, briggs us also the decision Of the
chief magistrate, Abraham Lincoln, that none
but white men must be United S!ntes so1dier5.
This reply to the delegation waiting upon
him, " Ge7atletE<n, yon haze my za1sner," Ii
kfngly and laconic. But is it not hazardous
| decision? The president says he hates sza1srg
as much as any Abolitionist. Does not LIS
| hatred also extend to the co1ored man, be he
free or slave? Has the country anything to
| do with his private hates or loves? Our cona.
true patriotism. Has he any right to consult
| colontzatiopist or arti-colonizationist? Will
conditional UT ion men save The country? He
may save the Union, debasc and even eEter-
inmate the cnlored people Of this country,
but it is i dangerous undertaking. We
| see some OF the effects Of this line
| cf policy II the riots In fndiana
| Ohio, New York and other States, and oil
ssnsiblc men must know that euch mus
| be the course. Of events. The continued
! outrages upon the colored man, if the head o
tie government does advocate his dcbasement
| and the day may Eot be far distant when al
the better classes Of our people Eili have II
seek home in another land. In the last fev
days the Governor Of this State has been teu
dered regiment Of colored soldiers from Chi
cago which he was compelled to decline t,
:ccept- I hope this will be the last offer o
the coiored people to give their assistance il
this great struggle They may as well be pre-
parcd to ectk home elscwEere-for it is fool
1sA to think Of remaining here after this IA
Is over.
The people OF individual who does no
eLn rilnte TO tie restoration Of this govern
mcEt, is doomed, it matters not What the caus
is which operated to prevent that coutribu
ticn. Mr. Lincoln is s1nbued with the spir
Of colonization. But ne do not depend upo
a. provision Of this government, looking
our Welfare In e1pa1riiiiof.
The unparalleled instance Of c5uatry refu;
ipg it's oTb Children a tome, and denFi8g c
1tfusirg tkeir aid IN this hour Of her neei
J will not justify those children in placing COZ
| fdeDce in her. a CpLoRED MAN