The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-12-04
ADDRESS TO FREEDMEN.

We print below an address TO the free colosed
people by the delegates of the abolition society in
the United States 10 1896. No better advice
could be given now We wish every freedman
in the land could read or have this address read
to him:
To the Free africans, and other Free People
of Color in the United States.
The Convention of Deputies from the Abolition
Societies in the United States assembled at Phil
adelphia, have undertaken to address you upon
subjects highly interesting to your prosperity.
They wish to see you act worthily OF the rank
you have acquired as Freemen, and thereby to
do credit yourselves, and to justify the friends
and advocates of your color 10 the eyes of the
world.
AS the result of our united reflections, we have
concluded to call your attention to the following
articles of advice. We trust they are dictated by
the purest regard for your welfare, for we view
you friends and brethren.
In the first place, earnestly recommend TO
you, regular attention to the important duty OF
public worship; 10y which means you will evince
gratitude to your Creator, and at the same time
promote knowledge, union, friendship aud prop
er conduct amongst yourselves.
Secondly, teach your children useful trades, or
to labour with their hands in cultvating the earth
| 1ueSc tAenlS are favorable 10 Dealtn anu
virtue. In the choice of masters, who are TO in
struct them in the above branches of business pre-
fer those who will work with them 10y this means
they will acquire habits of industry. and better
preserved from vice than If they worked alone, or
under the eye of persons less interested in their
welfare. In forming contracts, for yourselves or
children, with masters may be useful to consult
such persons as are capable of giving you the
best advice, who are known to be your friends, in
order to prevent advantages being taken Of your
ignorance of the laws and customs of our country.
Thirdly, be diligent in your respective calIings,
and faithful in all the relations you bear in society
whether as husbands, wives, fathers children or
hired servants. Be just in all your dealings. BE
just simple in your dress and furniture and frugal
in your family expenses. Thus you will act like
Christians well as Freemen; and by these means
you will provide for the dstresses and wants of
sickness and old age.
Fourthlv, refrain from the use Of spirituous IL
quors; the experience of many thousand of the
citizens of the United States has proved liquors
are not necessary to add to the innocent pleas
ures of society.
Filthy, avoid frocking and amusements that
lead to expense and idleness they beget habits of
dissipation and vice, and thus expose you to de-
served reproach amongst your white neghbors.
Sixthly, we wish to impress upon your minds
the moral ana religious necessity OF having your
marriages legally performed; also to have exact
registers preserved of all the births and deaths
which occur in your respective families.
Seventhly, endeavor to lay up much as pos
sible of your earnings for the benefit of your chill
dren, in you should die before they are able
to maintain themselves-your money will be SAT
es: and most beneficial when laid out in lots,
houses small FARMS
Eghthly, we recommend to you, at all times,
and upon all occasions, to behave yourselves to
all persons in civil and respectful manner. by
which you may prevent contention, and remove
every just occasion of complaint We beseech
you to reflect it is by your good conduct alone
that you can refue the objections which have
been made against you rational and moral
creatures and remove many of the difficulties
which have occurred in the general emancipation
of such ofyour brethren yet in bondage.
With hearts anxious for your welfare, COM
mend you to the guidance and protection of that
Being who is able to keep you from all evil, and
who is the common father aud friend of the whole
family of mankind
/ By order and on behalf of the convention.
THEODORE FOSTER, President.
Philadelphia, Jan. 6, 1896.
Ia. C.lu