The weekly North-Carolina standard., 1867-05-29
MAY %. 1867.
Repnhlicanism in Alabama.

S. we uidkt lIlt lOllOWlNS CAtidCtSilIOLu Tue
Address of the late Colored Convention of
Alabama to the people of that State. The
sentiments and views contained in this Ad-
dress are admirable, and are as well suited
to North Carolina as to Alabama. This doc
ument should have wide circulation. Read
these extracts, and then hand the paper to
your neighbor.
FELLOW CITIZENS When, upon the
passage of teven-Shellabarger bill, the col
ored people were invested with all the rights
of manhood heretofore withheld from them,
it was thought best that a convention, COM
posed entirely of our own people, should be
held before deciding upon our future polit-
cal course. Such a convention has been held
in Mobile it has deliberated upon the state
of the country, upon the rights and duties
of the colored people of Alabama, and au-
thorized US, in its name, to issue this address
to the voters of the State.
As there seems to be considerable differ
ence of opinion concerning the g legal rights
of the colored mar" ," it will not be amiss to
say that we claim exactly the same rights,
privileges, and immunities as are enjoyed by
white men-we ask nothing more, and will
be content with nothing less. All legal dis
tinctions between the races are now abolish
ed. The word white is stricken from our
laws, and every privilege which white men
were formerly permitted to enjoy merely be-
cause they were white men, now that word
is stricken out, we are entitled 20 on the
ground that we are men. Color can no long
er be pleaded for the purpose of curtailing
privileges, and every public right, privilege,
and immunity is enjoyable by every individ-
ual member of the public. This is the touch
stone that determines all these points So
long as park or street is public park
or street the entire public has a right to use
it; so long as u car or steamboat is a public
conveyance it must carry all who come to it,
and serve all alike who pay alike. The law
no longer knows white or black, but SIM
ply men, and consequently we are entitled
to ride in public conveyances, hold office,
sit on juries, aud do everything else which
we have In the past been prevented from
doing solely on the ground of our color.
OF course it is understood by all that we
lay no claim to social privileges. Every man
controls his own house according to his own
ideas, and associates with whomsoever he
pleases-provided they are willing to asso-
ciate with him. This is matter which must
and should regulate ITSELF But while we
scOrn to thrust ourselves into the society OF
those who do not like US we protest against
the idea inculcated by some that riding in
cars or sitting in jury boxes or steamboat
cabins are social acts and privileges. We
do not intend to be dragged down to lev
ell with thousands of white men who are
found in those places, and we ask no more
attention from Others while in them than we
do on the street.
We have said that we intend to claim all
our rights, and We submit to our white
friends that it is height of folly on their part
to withhold them any longer. One-half of
the voters in Alabama are black men, and
in a few months there is to be an entire re-
organization of the State government. The
new officers-legislatiye executive, and ju-
dicial-will owe their election largely, if
not mainly to the colored people, and every
one must see clearly that the voters will then
be certain to require and the officers to COM
pei a cessation of all illegal determinations.
The question which every man now illegal
ly disseminating against us has to decide is.
whether it is polite to insist upon crafty
ing prejudices during few dull months,
with the certainty by so doing of incurring
ting population of the State We can stand
it if they can, but we assure them that they
are being watched closely, and that their
conduct will be remembered when we have
| power.
There are some good people who are al
ways preaching patience and procrastlna-
| tiOn. They would have US wait few
| months, years, or generations, until the
~ ,,1, ,k,~ L. rfrhf hnt
we wish to tell them, once for all, that We
| we are absolutely compelled to. Look at
them simply that they surrender an unrea-
sonable and unreasoning prejudice; that
they cease initiating the dog in the man.
| ger; that they consent to allow other as
we'll as themselves to prosper and be happy.
But they would have us pay for what We dn
not get tramp through the broiling sun or
pelting rain, or stand upon platform, while
empty seats mockingly invite us to rest our
| wearied limbs our sick must suffer or sub
nit to indignity; We must put up with in
convenience of every kind and the ylrtu-
Gus aspirations of our children must be
continually checked by the knowledge that
no matter how upright their conduct, they
will be looked on as less worthy of respect
than the lowest wretch on earth who wears
| a white skin. We ask you-oniy while in
| public, however-to surrender your preju.
dices-nothing but prejudice; and you ask
us to sacrifice our personal comfort, health
pecuniary interests, self-respect, and the fu-
| ture prospects of our children. The men
who make such requests must suppose us
| devoid of spirit and of brains, but they will
| tidd themselves mistaken. Solemnly and
| distinctly, we again say to you, men of Ala.
bama, that we will not submit voluntarily
to such infamous Determinations, and if you
will insist upon trampling Oh the rights and
outraging the feelings of those who are soor
to pass Judgment upon you, then upon youl
own heads will rest the responsibility fol
| effect of your course.
| All over the State of Alabama-all ovel
the South, indeed-the colored people have
with singular unanimity, arrayed them
selves under the Republican banner, upon
the Republican platform, and it isconfdent
ly predicted that nine-tenths of them viii
vote the Republican ticket. Do you ask
Why is this! We answer because:
1. The Republican party opposed anG
prohibited the extension of slavery.
2. It repealed the fugitive-slsve law.
8. It abolished slavery in the District O
| Columbia. a.
A. 1t abolished slavery in the rebelliou
| States
Is. 1t abolished slavery throughout tn
rest of the Union. '33a y
g. 1t put down the rebellion against th,
/ Union.
| =. It passed the Freedmen's Bureau bill
4Na 10 Hn