The national Republican., 1867-01-14
THE ADDRESS TO TIE COLoRED
PEOPLE. .

We publish in this days paper the address
issued by a convention Of colored people
recently held in this city, which undertakes
to advise for the welfare OF the black race in
this country.
Earnestly devoted as this journal has ever |
been to the emancipation Of the negro, we |
should greet with unstinted pleasure any
idea, project, or suggestion which honestly
had in view the amelioration or elevation Of
the freedman No purpose could more ally
itself to Christian sympathy, or command
tho attention Of sensible craftsmanship than
that which sought the improvement and ad-
yanccment of heretofore ignorant and
degraded class Of human beings. But there
is wrong way as well as right one TO
prosecute even a worthy object. II seems
to rs that this address, though emanating
from the race most interested in the subject
to which it refers, has unmistakably erred
in its tone, its temper, and its tactics.
The question is, how shall the black man
lately held in chains in the South, and in
contempt in the North, so conduct himself
that the effect Of slavery in one section Of the
country and Of prejudice in another shall be
the most efiectually overcome? Common
sense, and the universal example OF history,
would teach us that this great work was to
be assisted by the moral improvement, the
untiring industry, and the sincere endeavor
to educate the colored masses Of the land.
One would have supposed that the best way
to strengthen the negro was by his overcom.
= Al, - r.. a.
condition has entailed upon him. lie is igno-
rant he should become intelligent He is
without property as a rule; he should be-
come possessor; and those cardinal qualif-
cations, necessary for any race in order to be
inauential-the dignity and honor Of man,
the chastity and fidelity Of woman-should
be aspired to with vigorous determination.
The conyenticle which concocted the ad.
dress We are discussing appears to ignore these
plain principles and homely truths. 1t has
struck out into an untried and original path
in political economy and philosophy; and
has adopted Us cure for the evils and dis,
comforts Of the African race, the mercenary
counsels Of Iago to "put money in thy
purse" This address fortifes its position
from the past, by presenting the history ol
the Jews in their devotion TO wealth. The
logic OF this novel document is this: What
the black man has heretofore done, has been
considered menial and degraded he should
stop doing it. If the black man is to have q
future, he must do what the white man does.
The negro is told to change his location,
abandon his present occupation, and to classi.
fy his interests. There must be no more
black BARRIERS, bootblacks, or walters, and all
the money earned by our colored friends
must hereafter be deposited in black savings
banks, and other monetary institutions oi
color. We can conceive no worse principle
or recommendations TO the colored people
Indeed the whole tenor Of this address is tc
distract that people from their real interests
and dissatisfy them with the labors they are
prOvidentially appointed to do.
Paper schemes Of civilization will do a
little towards the enhancement Of the black
as they have for the advantage ofthewhite race
We tell our colored friends that il is not by
muddling their brains with unwise theories
and sensational arrangements-not by &C
cepting the cold-bloodcd advice of Shaks
peare's meanest villain, or by initiating the
extortion OF shylock, that they are to bC
benefited by striving to become honest
educated, and independent and by faithful
performance Of the duties to which they haV,
been assigned that they will deserve respec
as individuals, and acquire worth and inau
ence as class.