The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-12
Virginia..
Virginia freedman has issued the following adj
dress TO his cOlOred brethren:-

Virginia freedman has issued the following adj
dress to his colored brethren:-
The writer Of this, c0ored man. made free by
the late war, desires to commune with yeu on mat
tiers which concern your peace and prosperity, as
well the happiness OF the community in which we
live. We therefore desire to reason with you like
sensible men and hop0 that you may be benefited by
Can the cOiored prosper In state Of strife and
antagOnism to the whites?
l answer unequivocally, no. The whites are the
majority they own the soil and the property Of the
country. They have more resources; they are more
enterprlsing and determined; the laws protect them
in the peaceful enjoyment Of what belongs to them
Violence on our part will not be tolerated. We must
submit to the laws. Then we cannot cope with the
whites. They represent the power and influence Of
the government North and South.
Why should there be antagonism between the
races Ianswer there ID no sufficient reason for
such state Of things. The whites have declared no
war against U.S. Our mechanics and tradesmen,
layers, porters, gardeners, factory hands and
dining room servants have been generously patron
competent and equally worthy. have failed to get
work.
good deeds Of the whites In the proper spritY What
return have made for all these acts OF kndnes 81
answer. while living on the bounty Of our white
benefactors and while pretending to their faces the
greatest devotion and gratitude, we have invited
among US nameless adventures from the North, and
ssDs q "
bound Leagues, In antagonism to the interest and
honor of the very men whose kindness shelters,
could do degrade them by placing over them ignO
rant and corrupt men. We have aspired to rule and
govern the very men who own the soil we cultivate,
ness OF life who aid US In building our churches,
and who shelter and feed our families.
What folly has marked our course; what infatua-
ton has possessed us!
We have mistaken the generous sympathy Of our
white neghbors, their kindness and aid and their
friendship, for tame submission to the demands OF
few fanatical upstarts who have thrown 1rebrands
into our happy society; under the lead OF these
wicked disorganizers we are drawing the lines be-
tween the races. We have kindled the cres Of hate
how shall they be extinguishedr
What claims have the radicals to our fav0rf What
have they done to usp They tell you they restored
you to freedom The radicals have sprung up since
the war. They have come into existence rs party
since the war and since you were emancipated and
Of course they did not free you.
The radical party has no claims on us; they
natural enemies, they are the descendants Of the
who sold our fathers into slavery and they are
now oppressiug by their unjust taxation; they
rObbng US OF the means OF earning an honest living
without beneftting the government The adven-
turers who head the League and the perishing white
vutures from the sinks OF sin and infamy who flock
into the windows of the League rooms at midnight
they are the whining skunks who use the League
stepping stones to Office, and you as tools to get
power and money for themselves. They are the vile
creatures for whom the Loyal Leagues were created.
They will never do you any good. Beggars hardly
ever contribute much to those from whom they live
by begging.
plainly. l would warn you OF the dangers just
before you. 1 warn you against the men who would
receive ONCE at your hands and would desert You in
the hour Of sorest need Turn away from such crea-
minds are always directed In time oil sorrow-the
friends who can do most for you.
Life and death are set before you. We can all live
happy and proper whites and backsl In friendship
and reciprocal acts OF kindness; but death and de-.
structon loom up on the field OF strife aud conten-
ton