American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-02-28

ornment never dreamed of a political slf-
ference bctween white and black men. 1t
was neither race nor color that occasioped
the early distinction, but condition. The
slave could net be admitted as citizen
because that would be inconsistent with
his condition. Everybody else was count
cd but Indians, who paid no taxes. The
distinction Of color is a modern invention
The free negro voted originally almost
everywhere. To admit him did not re-
quire the insertion Of the word "black,"
but to exclude him required the inser
tion of the word "white" The only col
or ostracized in the Constitution was the
red, and only then as non tax payers.
ave began the war by repelling the
black man and returning him to his mas
tor; by doing everything, in, short, to
ALLEVIATE him from ourselves, and prove to
him that he had nothing to expect from
us; and this was called craftsmanship
If ever people deserved to be chastised
ii was ourselves, for the ineffable base
ness and fatuity which refused the aid Of
the negro, and sent hundred thousand
white men to die, rather than wound the
pride, or harm the property of an enc
my We failed to drive him from our
support even by the unkndest usage.
When we plunged within the storm cloud
that oyerhung the South an concealed
everything from outside view, we were
not long in discovering that the white
skin was everywhere Synonymous with
the traitor heart, and that wherever we
could meet black man we we're sure to
find friend. lie took our soldier by
the hand, led him through the outposts.
pointed out the secret path, travelled with
him by night, shared his last crust with
him, and baffled the blood hounds that
were on his track. As the war progressd,
we began to find that with such an aux
iliary against US, success was impossible
We made him free. But still we could
not lift him into the position of a soldier,
which was privilege of caste in ancient
times. People who foresaw that the step
was an easy one from the soldier TO the
citizen-themselves of craven hearts and
and more slaves than he-insisted that
he was like his detractors, loved his chains
and was coward by instinct, and that
the white soldier was fool, who would
not throw down his arms If you sent him
an auxiliary whose skin was not quite as
fair as his own. You listened and be.
lieved. But by and by, impelled by ne,
eessity, you allowed your brave and right
thinking Secretary OF War to arm him
quietly. You rather winked Mt than en-
couraged it; and before long fhe truth
blazed upon you from the trenches of
Port Hudson that the black man was in
your ranks. lie was now added to the
title that God Almighty gave him, a
claim upon your gratitude. Hew do you
propose to pay it p
The master will not soon forget the in
fidelity of the slave. He begs you to
withdraw your'black troops. He is will
ling to recognize the emancipation of the
slave, if you leave him subject to his au-
thority without rights of citizenship or
security for the liberty you have given
him. If you accept the offer your git: of
freedom to the slave will be but "the Dead
Sea fruit that tempts the eye but tnrns
to ashes on the Ii ps."
Mr.. Williams then referred to the con.
dition the black man would be left in
without the rights of citizenship-his
martial relations, education and his right
to work for himself and to acquire prop
erty, and used the report of Gen. ShurI
as AUTHORITY. He argued that his condi.
tlon was not one which improved and
that if the seeded States are allowed to
return on the Presidents terms, there is
nothing to prevent them re enacting the
whole black If you object you
will be told that these are matters of
State regulations only. If you invest the
black man with the ballot you will Sc
cure to him consideration from the white |
man. He has proved himselfto be do.
cile and gentle and will make a valuable
citizen if fairly dealt with.
But remember he is a man who has
tasted liberty, and felt the glow of an un.
accustomed manhood, as his pulse danced
with new inspiration when he looked
up at the folds of your starry banner on
the perilous edge of the battle. Beware
how you allow these men who have nev-
er yet learned, and never will learn any
thing, to trample on him now. The pol !
icy foreshadowed in the proclamations
will make only discontented people. 1t
is the slogan of battle-the herald's de-
nouncement of that war races, which is
81 strongly appreheuded by those who
urge the very opposite policy to heal up
. war of sections. 1t is the preparation
for these deluded people of future, be-
fore which even the savage horrors of
their own revolt may pale. The kindred
policy that ruled our councils in the same
interest for two long years--as it seems
to rule them now-proved fatal to the
system it was intended to serve by ma
king its preservation impossible. 1t may
be that God Almighty intends to finish
His great work by giving further rein
to the internal spirit that precipitated
these madmen into the revolt that melt
ed the chains of their slaves.
Let us see to it that we be not called up
on to repress the outbreak of nature. by
drawing our own swords hereafter upon
our faithful allies in the war of freedom.
We can prevent this now-and will if
We are wise BY mere act Of justice that
is simple and reasonable, and will t, t,ench
on no mans rights, while it will extend
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