New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1867-05-01

which are putting TO shame the calumnies
of their oppressors and the hesitations Of
their friends. They are astonishing the
world by their evident capacity for selfgov'
eminent. They are yindicating that act of
government which has made them citizens
and voters. Their eager desire for education,
especially for their children, puts to the
blush thousands of white people who, with
the means of knowledge within reach, have
been content to remain in ignorance. In
few years it will be as rare to find colored
child who cannot read, as It is now to find a
New England child in that condition. The
colored race is fastening to the fountains OF
learning which have so long been unright.
eously sealed against them. Who can wonder
that Gods wrath has been manifested against
the wickedness of booming an innocent
race in ignorance? Why will the guilty
persist in defying the Almighty and kicking
against his purposes Why not acknowledge
their wrong and bring forth fruits meet for
repentance. God is dealing with this peo-
pie. The very floods are Gods witnesses.
One would think that the gentle, uncom'
planning, forbeariDg, forgiving spirit Of an
Injured race would make a resistless appeal
to hearts not made of stone. What paral-
lei does the worlds history afford to such
forbearancc? Why persist in denying the
common rights of manhood to those who
disdained to use the power they possessed
during the war to send woe into your fami-
lies? Not one aged white man, not one
helpless female in your households ever felt
the black mans avenging hand.
Yet, even this strange magnanimity is
turned into weapon with which to beat
him back to bondage, or to keep him out of
his rights. He has not the spirit of man,
you say. We will not even attempt an an
swer to such an allegation.
Now is the opportunity for you, men of
the South, who boast of Anglo-Saxon or
Celtic blood, to show your magnanimity, for
it is noble to confess and repair a wrong.
Join the Republican party, the party of
progress and of human brotherhood, and
prove thus to the black man that you are
truly his best friends
Let us take you on your own ground, that
slavery, under certain circumstances, may
be right. Have not those circumstances
changed? Let slavery be conceded to be the
pioneer of civilization, the means of break
ing in, subduing and tanning barbarous
race. Has it not accomplished its purpose?
Why then will you stand in the way of a
higher process of development? 1t is plain
that beyond certain point, slavery cannot
be other than hindrance to growth. 1t
cannot further elevate the slave, and itself
live. Who now shall dare to say that the
great and good Father Of mankind has no
higher purpose with reference to the African
race alone? Are all his choicest gifts for the
white race alone None but a presump.
tuous fool can say SO. Why not, then &C dis
Germ the signs of the times ?" las not God
spoken in thunder tones, and will you
further provoke his wrath Come down
from your pinnacle Of pride and acknow-
ledge that the black man is your brother.
Fall in with the current of Providence, or
prepare to be swept away by its resstless
tide.
You are fighting against fate. Do you
not see that every step you thought to take
forward has been backward Have ron
gained one single point Have you not
rather been driven from every stronghold I?
What does this say for the future ? Defeat,
certain and overwhelming, is before you.
You say you have been Inundated. 1t is
your own fault. A deeper disgrace awaits
you if you persist in your present course.
But we hope better things There is
generosity in Southern hearts when once
prejudice and pride have been subdued.
You are not hard.hearted you are blinded.
Come ont from behind your intrenchments,
and let the noble instincts of justice have
fun play. Let the dead Past go to its grave,
while we take up the work of the living
Present Then shall there be future full
of hope for you and your children. A kind
Providence will smile upon you, and the
South, the sunny South" once more shall
beredeemed from its long and bitter sorrows.