Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-08-18
TIE NEGROES ARGUE TnEIR OWN
CASE.


A Convention Of Virginia colored men met
at Alexandra, on the Sd inst, and adopted |
the following eloquent appeal, alter which three
rousing cheers were given for the flag, and
Rally round the flag" was sung by all
present. Who doubts the proprie,y Of per-
lifting the author of that appeal to vote
APPEAI.
We, the delegates Of the colored people of
the State Of Virginia. in Convention assembled
at Alexandria, Va, to act and advise what is
thought best to be done for the interests Of
the coored people of the State. and to give
expression Of our feelings and desires, do
hereby appeal to the conscientious, sympa-
thetic, and just judgment of the American
people, solemnly declaring that we desire to
live upon the most friendly and agreeable
terms with all men we feel no ill-will or
prejudice towards our former oppressors
are wiling and desire to forgive and forget
the past, and shape our future conduct rs
shall promote our happiness, and the in erests
OF the community 10 which we live and that
we believe that in this State we have still
many warm and solid friends among the white
people, and that this portion Of them will do
all they can for our improvement and eleva-
ton, that for this they have our kind thanks
and our constant prayers that the Lord of
Host- may bless them, and strengthen them,
that they may strive to give us, as people,
that which is just and right before God and
the civilized world
But, while we are free to acknowledge all
that we have said above, we must, on the
other hand, be allowed to aver and assert
that we believe that we have among the white
people OF this State many who are our most
inveteraie enemies, who hate us as a class,
and who feel no sympathy with or Tor Us
who despise US simply because we are black,
and, more especially, because we have been
made free by the power of he United States
Government; and that they-the class last
meutioned-will not, in our estimation, be
willing to accord to US, as ireemen, that pro-
lection which all ireemeu must contend for if
they would be worthy Of freedom; aud that,
while we confess that the state of things
which now exist was not OF our making, Yet
we believe it was the intention, aud Is the
will of God, that it shall be as it is, aud for
which we give Him our everlasting thanks
! We have ever been a people OF docility and
obedience, though we have felt for years that
the condition of slavery was curse upon us,
imposed by might aud not by right, yot we
have submitted without any act of ours to
avenge ourselves upon those who had 20 long
oppressed us, AS race of men. Many OF
them treated us as brutes of the field In
all this we confess We see the hand OF an all
wise God, who has seen fl to hold the pas
slons Of His African children until He saw
tit TO stir the passions OF the two sections Of
the countfy-that both North and South
should suffer for the sin OF slavery. This
I hatf d. Il l..
chaos and disqualification and while we
sympathze for the coalition of the country,
we do believe and RECOGNIZES in it. the hand OF
an all-wise God, and believe He will do all
things right.
In this state of chaos and disorganization
are we assembled here to-day, to appeal to
the citizens OF the State Of Virginia and to
the Government ofthe United States for that
protection which we much need, and Tor
which ifeemen IN all ages have conted. We,
in our present condition, are without proteo-
ton, so far as the laws of the State are con-
cerned, and but for the strong arm Of the
military, we feel that we have nowhere to
look for that protection which is essential for
the safety OF our persons or our property,
our wives or our children for while we had
in our folmer owners their protection, we
have now in them none, and we are left to
the assaults of the vile and vicious to do with
US as they please, and we are left without re-
dress.
We claim, then, as citizens of this State,
the laws of the Commonwealth shall give to
all men equal protection; that each and ev-
cry man may appeal to the law for his ,qaal
rights without regard to the color of his skin
and we believe this can only be done by ex.
tending to us the elective franchise which we
believe to be our inalienable rights as free
men, and which the Declaration Of Indepen-
dence guarantees to all free citizens of this
Government, and which 10 the privilege Of the
nation. We claim the right OF suffrage
/ Because we can see no other safeguard
for our protection.
2. Because we are citizens of the country
and natives OF this State
3. Because we are as well qualified to vote
who shall be our rulers a. many who do vote /
for thar purpose who have no interest in us,
and know not our wants.
Because our epresentation as hereto
fore ieli in Congress was not In accordance
with our own wishes. and therefore, we =
feel that " is right and our privilege to vote
for the man who shall 80 represent u.s.
Because we believe that the time has
come when the coored people are to be felt
as a power IN this government, either for good
or evil, and that there is no way so calculated
to make him subservient for good as to make
him good and loyal citizen.
6 Because we believe it will be the means
OF restoring The balance of power which
shall harmonic the conflicting elements
which are now so rife in the South.
4 Because we believe that if the white
men will look at the subject in its proper
light they will see the necessity of granting
US this privilege, as they will fad in us
friends that will ever vote for men who shall
be true to the State aud loya to the United
statet, and because nothing short of equality
IN law viii ever secure to US the wants which
every freeman needs and must enjoy il be
will be at peace at home and in the commu-
nifty in which he lives. With these consid-
eralions we do most respectfully and earnest
ly appeal first, to the citizens of Virginia that
they give ear to our humble petition, that in
the reconstruction of the laws of this State,
they do, in the prayers of this convention,
and before "A inst (iod an harmoniya thai