Journal of freedom. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1865-186?, 1865-09-30
Letter Of an Arkansas Judge to a COlOred


in your enterprise to establish an organ
for the colored citizens of North Carroll
ma, I wish tosend you, for my first con-
tribution, the following plain-spoken let
ter from an honest Judge, and member
of the Arkansas General Assembly, to
James Alexander, an intelligent and
wealthy colored citizen of Helena, Ark.
The advice and counsel contained in
it applies of course equally to al1'of his
race, and is worthy to be followed. Rev.
Mr.. Butler, a South Carolinian by birth
ndraised in the midst of the strongest
pro-slavery influence, has not only al
ways been a most staunch defender of the
Union cause, but has long had a clear
perception of the true issue this val was
bound to bring about.
His bold and dauntless advocacy of the
inalienable rights of, all mankind has
drawn down upon him che bitter hatred
of Rebels, and he suffered much in con-
sequence during the war. May he live
long enough yet. to see his sacred princi-
pies triumph owe all the powers OF dark
ness: ELIAS SMITH.
from the Little Rock NesU Era.l
HELENA, August Is, 1865.
Dear Ser feel it a duty and obi
CATION to address you, and through you
Hams children in the State of Arkan-
SaS.
The great issue of the day is' one that
involves your highest and most sacred
rights-that of ebon franchise. OfcourSe
this right will be opposed as was your
freedom-your right to bear arms-your
right to be educated-and now, your
right to the franchise. In fact the dia-
bOlical scheme is to unhorse you and
throw you from the saddle of freedom,
and again resnsckle you in the gives OF
accursed Slavery. You must FFwatch as
well as pray" The country expects you
to do your whole duty, for what would
be a mountain in one of your mishaps
would be but a molekiN on the part of
your white brother. So be watchtul
over your own acts, and act we'll your
part, for in this all the honor lies. Be
loyal as you have been to the Govern
ment; be kind, polite, reserved, honest,
upright in all your doings. In this way
the mountain of prejudices now enter
tanned against you by your ChrSst1o"
A~nglo-Saxon people will melt Gkesnow-
drifts on the mountain-side before the
fire of a.summer sun. You must aid in
circulating such Intelligence as will en-
tighten your coHntrymen on your claim
to the ballot.
You have friends who~will stand by
and aid, you in this hour of trial and sore
conflict ifyou will do your duty to your
selves and country. Once you consti-
tuted a large umbrella for the lazy white
man, for while you took the sun he took
the shade. But now he must cheat you
or your children out of your hard-earned
dollars or tall back on his own muscle.
You, must be prompt, honest and true to
your contracts with white men, make as
few as possible. and have them mainly
reduced to writing. Already your fer
mer masters boast that they will get
YOUR labor cheaper than in thA-daHa oi
y9Ore. Again ] auv1se you to nave as III
tie to do with white men as possible
Do not run about at night; stay ut home
and read, and learn to read. There are
many white men with black hearts who
will steal and have it charged to you1
account. Such are the prejudices againsi
you that you would have bat little
chance before jury of white men.
I am speaking of such white men al
robbed you during the war, with drawn
pistols on your defenceless bosoms, AM
such as are known to be your deadly n
mics. If you will walk circumspecti!
you will find Jordan an easy road +
travel. You must work. You know
how and what is work-the amount tha
constitutes a days work, without dodg
ing your duty. If you do, you will sc
out Of employment, and no good ma
will have anything to do with you
Keep Yourselves to yourselves, and mi:
as little as possible with the Anglo
| Saxon. He is awfully alarmed at tn
: idea Of negro equality. I hope that thu
admixing of the two cOlors will nov
cease. Forty-two per cent. OF our popu
. lation is of this admixture This is
dark blot on our moral recordl If TO
r does not forgive us, the devil will &c
us. do not think that politicians ar
quite ready to debate in favor OF you
franchise they think it is a Gibsralte
: rock, and that their political bark Nigh
strand ON it. You mast: aOGtch these me
qoho are noao ~asp;rdnts for office, and
; they refuse you aid in the hour OF you
greatest need. never trust them. Put a
" 1nmiHtakeable ear mark on them so ths
: you may know them wherever you ma
L meet them, II it be at the ballot-box, Il
this box is. your right by conquest, an
} by emancipation as freemen-as citizen
: Support literally such papers as adv
cate your rights, and SEQ that they q