The Black Republican., 1865-04-15
THE DUTY OF C0LORED MEN IN L0UIs1-
ANA

The people who have just thrown off their
chains, have now high duty before them.
God has surely broken the bonds that bound
US, and man was made the instrument
his blood the price. We have privileges now.
Let us enjoy them nationally, and like men.
We have been outraged. Our intellects have
been chained as well as our bodies. Indeed,
our very souls were not our own. 1t was
crime to teach us. We dare not hold book
in our haLds. We were dragged through
the streets and into the jails, without cause,
and with no chance at justice. The chains
were strong they were heavy. The dark
clouds that hung over us; the chains
that b0undus the prisons, whose very
walls re-echoed our lamentations as we
sent them up to heaven-these
have all passed away; river of blood
has passed on with a mighty current, car
rying the accursed things out of the world.
Better times have come. We live in
brighter days. The sun shines and the
blessed rain of heaven is falling. But are
we yet in a safe place? Are we standing on
holy ground? Is all accomplished that can
be accomplished? Is there still in store any
good that we, as men and citizens, can at
tain?
We are hardly safe. The Government of
God and Of the United States make up the
ground OF the black mans safety. That,
added 70 the honesty of purpose in his own
heart, viii bring him to permanent secu-
rity.
The ground on which we stand is not
holy There are many remnants of the
past guilt yet polluting the soil and the at
mosphere. There are cruel and dangerous
prejudices that must be outlived. The
sting of the serpent of slavery is in the
hearts of the people They may die with it,
but justice and righteousness viii live for
ever, and with them we must and shall sue
ceed.
Much is accomplished. The main works
are carried. The assault has been sue
cessful, but the enemy has only fed! He
is weakened, but not captured or overcome.
The heel must bruise his head and crush it.
This viii be done by US, not with the sword,
not with words, newspapers or orations, but
by our life, our conduct our own very
faithfulness to the freedom we have com
menced to enjoy. Honesty, industry, tenn
perance, religion, education, truthfulness-
these viii be the virtues that will make us
strong; and then let US be strong by our
unity, our harmony among ourselves. Let
us gather to our help every white man who
has soul big enough to be bold and strong
for the right. These are many; let us make
them as many more, and not one less. With
these, let us appeal to Heaven and to the
conscience Of the Christian world, and we
viii find ourselves ultimately strong enough
to win.
There is yet much that we can attain.
The United States Government has almost
lost its glory on account Of 'its filthy gar
ments." 1t has repented and thrown off its
blood-stained mantle, and enrobed itself in
to a commendable degree.
We can expect much, but let us not be salts
fed by merely expecting. We must ask, pc
tition and strive. Above all, our devotion
to our flag, and our manly conduct must be
our loud appeal and the ground Of our
hope.
We offer these remarks with the belief
that our thoughtful men will ponder them
well. They bear in them the full aim and
object Of this journal.
We invite all calm and honest citizens to
bear in mind the great work and the way of
securing its accomplishment.