The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-05
LONDON, I'd month 9th. 1863.

SOUTHERN STATES OF NORTH AMERICA;
NEGK0ES WERE EMANc1pATED By THE
LATE WAR,
THIS RESPECTFUL CHRISTIAN ADDRESS OF TIE
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS IN GREAT BRITAIN.
1t is very generally known that the mcmbcrs OF
religious society on both sides Of the Atlantic
have for about century. borne Il firm but peace
able testimony against slavery: and, having first
cleared themselves by manumtting their own
slaves they have been enabled to plead with others,
both in Europcand in America, to do likewise. our
course Of action. however, us friends of freedom
and enemies of slavery the world over has been
wholly clear Of any political motive; and we have,
moreover, been rs conscicntiously opposed To war
to slavery. Hence we can truly. ana with no
sense of Inconsistency, acknowledge that we feel i
strong Christian interest for the best welfare OF
those who were by law regarded rs the owners OF
the slaves and who have suffered heavy pecuniary
loss through the late contest land the emancipation
which effected by II. II IS with this feeling
tliat we ask permission to address To you Il rev
faithful. but We trust courteous, words on thls
great subject. ~
civil war and the dcsolations which IL made III
your land, We cannot but regard its principal re-
sult-namcly the termination of slavery through
out the whole OF your vast rcpubllc-as stilklig
evidence of the ovcrruling providence or Goa, III
bringing good out of evil 4: and VIC rejoice, WIN
rcvcrcnt tlankfulncss To Him. at the total cNtinc-
ton of system OF which England, Ill giving YOU
slavery. shared the guilt.
We are at the same time sensible that all violent
changes, especially where they are OF run
tlumpntal ana CNlcnSlNe ny
attended with much suffering. And our sympathles
have been called forth for many amongst you, who
have been reduced from aliucncc Stripped Oh
much that had been secured to YOU by law, ana on
which you had naturally placed your dependence,
some Of you may have been, and perhaps still are,
surrounded by hardsh!pS TO when you hau pre-
viOusly been strangers
bcarancc, and sclf-control may be required but We
would respectfully submit to your consideration,
whether there is not true wisdom i'll meeting WIN
calm resolution the present emergency and seeking
to turn ii to the best advantage: rather tlan III
to recall the past. And Is not TINS csleclall! III.
ease where tile change, though painful in the pro.
cess, leads to state of society, anu CONDITION o
things generally more consistent with sound states
maiiship. and with Christian morallty also, thal
that which previously existed?
Some Of Your greatest statesmen. whose names
are enrolled amongst the founders OF your com
monwealth, deplorcd the existence OF slavery anu
though they saw not how the event was 10 DC pro @
when its final extinction should give completeness
and security to the editice of your national lbcr
ties. And 1t is sincere conviction that as thcrt
is on the part both Of the freedmen and of then
former owners cordial and trustiul acceptance
all that belongs to their new relations, inc gre'
event which has realized this hope VIII pc round
under the Divine blessing, to WORK Dehehciall! u
each.
sire that YOU may be enabled with courage. energy,
and skill. to do your part toward the solution o
the problem which your country Is called To solve
May you, with real magnanimitr, behave towards
the freedmen as fellow-citizens now that the la"
has clothed them with that character May IN!
employers of labor treat with those VINO work loi
them upon fair and reasonable terms, giving then
Just and even liberal wages Tor liltul WORK zone
and zealously cooperating with them for the com
mon good. That not few amongst you are ;lireaa!
setting Il bright example i'll these respects we car
readily believe; and we long that this example
NAV be extensively followed; and that. even SHOULD
You lind that your Kindness and good treatment arc
not ALWAYS at once appreciated by the newly-einan
cipate some allowance may be made Tor inc eliec
produced upon them by many generations o.
a
The present, allow lis to remind you, is COLDER
opportunity; you may now by wise anu pI'a .c
Of Te ny of and Of
sound and well adjusted system OF labor, WIN tht
confidence and gratitude OF the colored race
how rich and manifold may be the benefits which
under the Divine blessing, you may yourselves Dl
permitted to reap if by ceeei com lm xn
doing, YOU present To the freedmen living Illus
tration of the power of Christian faith working D!
love. and influencing your own conduct.
And may we not address many amongst you as
fellow Christians. sincerely DESTROYS to receive the
truths Of Holy Scripture, and to act upon It's pre-
ceptSy Accepting, therefore, ON this authority,
the great fact that our Father in Heaven hath made
of one blood MI nations, and the truth mat our
Lord and Saviour gave himself ransom, not toi
tbe white man only, but for all men. and recognl-
zinc the comprehensive obligation Of his precept;
- All things Whatsoever We would that men snoulo
will he enabled to regard the freedmen as brethren,
and thus feel the tie of Christian duty to be ADDED
to that of civil allegiance in binding together all
the inhabitants OF your common country 10 your
mutual prosperity and happiness.
In conclusion, we would express our earnest
prayer for your real welfare and especially mat
those of YOU who have passed through period OF
Suffering and priyatiOn, and who may not yet see
the end of their trials may be enabled SO to bear
them in submission TO the Divine VIII that 1nese
Affections may, i'll the mercy OF inc iosl lilsn,
bring forth the peaceable fruits OF righteousness 10
the praise of his excellent name.
We are, respectfully, your sincere friends ana
kwel-wishers. o.,.,
renresentiilg the Religious Society Of Friends In
Great Britain held In London the LIST OF eleventh
Month. 1867. HICKMAN GODLEE, Clerk.