Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-01-22
4 Lesler frem Fathsr lksep.

ii A Letter trcm Father Keep
The following letter from Father Keep Of
obsrIin, which was read at the Proclamation
! Jubilee on Friday night last, was omitted in
our report through oversight:
GENTLEMEN AND FELLoE CITIZENS Please
socept my earnest congratulations over the
occasion Of your present meeting. It is sig
nally and glsdsOmely unique. First, in its
anteeedents: Hitherto, under our civil Gov
ernment, the personal rights of the negro
race have been denied them. Second, in its
aeeOmPaninentz: The negro is now an ae-
credited citizen, and the glad shouts of mill
lions Of freed slaves are ringing in our ears
Third, in its future Already brilliant with
the assurance that ehatteI slavery has re-
esived its death blow: Fourth, above all is
this occasion unique by the conviction that
the destiny Of the American Republic is in
separately involved in the destiny of the
American slave conviction now widely ac-
knOWledged by politicians, statesmen, jurists
and practically avOWed even by cur govern
ment, and setting in upon the public mind,
like the surges of the ocean. tits in the i'm
mediate wake Of these pregnant changes and
under the immediate pressure Of their ap.
peals to the free eolored people of this eOun-
try, that you have now met Nor can it BE-
for nought that Divine Providence has thus
suddenly lifted you to be the specially OBJ
served, and brought within your reach this
rare opportunity to prove your mettle and
test your manhood. You cannot but see the
mis- 70 rrhf oh. Id In
tslligent, educated, christian colored men
and women in the free States, hear and un-
derstand. am aware, gentlemen, that this
communication makes me an intruder upon
yourprogrsmme. But I am quiet under the
belief that its contents, SO fully hGrmonizc
with your object, as to modify, il they fail |
to parry, your oensure. I am so alive to the |
present position and responsibilities of our 1
eolOred people, especially that portion Of /
them who are christians, fitted to be leaders |
and guides, that mark their movements as
I never did before, and yearn to beseech |
them to follow the call of Gods Providence 1
in aid Of the emancipated slaves. When I |
read the notice Of your commemorative con-
vention, the prayer rose to my lips letitgiTe
the key-nOte for their wise and continuous
labor to meet the national crisis"
portion Of you carry the scars Of battle,
In the anti-sIavsry conflict. The ground, in
its sections, need not again be traYersed, but
the basis principles and the prominent, es-
sential features Of the movement, are still to
be kept before the public in patient, elabOr-
ate discussion and enforcement, wisely main
tanning adaptation to the features Of the
passing hour.
The voice Of the past comes to US in preg-
nEnt lessons to be studied. The attitude Of
the present is that Of the nation eroWding to
the anxiOus-seat, under every form of con-
Viction, the Democrats and rebeldom not ex-
cepted. It would seem, then, that adapta
ton requires a general rally around the stan
dard Of justice, merging for the present, con-
siderations that, in change Of circum-
stances, might be safely pressed and carried.
Such course would sustain the President in
his emancipation proclamation; in aVigorous
Of the war to crush the rebellion,
and all practicable measures to place the /
smancipated in a state to support themselves
and to contribute to the strength and pros z
perity of the Government. Should such be-
the animus Of the convention, it will indicate
3 patriotism which eadErssj generous, broad
md commanding-an element Of character
In the eolored citizens Of Northern Ohio, low
ngly inviting imitation by our white popu-
atiOn, and a grateful sense Of the benignity
1f an everything Providence, which has
brought emancipation 10 become the settled
policy of the G0EerRuentrh a decision which
g final, but through sTsTOlution in the free
States. Although the decision has been
reached by way not your own, clineh the
nail by loyalty that shall honor your man
lood.
Do not fail to study the movement Of God,
hat has set the people of this country to
measures to remedy political mistakes and to
purify the government, and thus to secure its
1ermanence. Such an opportunity is now in
'ur hands. The hour is come. Shall the
cleansing HoW be efeeted7 The process is
begun. Can it not be that every bearing of
your conventional acts shall aid it? The
has now placed youin position
n which you can properly say my country.
Let the boon, though long and unrightously
prompt you to the act Of forgive
less and to join your now fellow-citiseas in
he struggle of our Nation to gain, lst, The
'e-establishment Of the Union, and freedom
o every slave within its borders. 2nd, To
,estoTe peace to the country on the basis of 4
universal liberty to men of every race. III
JOHN KEEP.
OberIin, January 18th, 1868.