Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-11-25
A CoIored Man to the CoIored People.

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A CcIored Man to the CoIored People
Rev. R. H. Cain, of Charleston, col
ored minister, and a prominent Repub-
lican, publishes in his paper, the Dis
sionny Record, the following article
which we would wish could be read by
every man, both white and colored:
Within the past week we have been
the subject Of abuse by our own race
more bitterly than we ever could have
conceived. When, three years ago, VIC
came to this city to occupy the position
of humble missionary, we enteredinto
the work of instructing our race i'll what
We regarded as of the most vital interest
to their well-bcing. We entered upon
the work Of preparing their mind to en-,
Joy freedom as we understand it. Free
dom to enjoy all the rights and ilnmu;
mites Of citizens. We were aware that
| Tie people had just. emerged from bon
dage and ignorance. We know that nc
white man, North or South, could fee
|! fer them az we who are bone OF theil
bone, and flesh of their flesh, and there
fore bound to them by ties which could
be severed only by death. We were
aware that, flushed with the new borr
idea of liberty, they might go into ex-
cesscs, which would do them moro harm
than good We addressed ourselves tc
the task of guiding them in the path o.
peace. and at the same time maintain
their honor and dignity.
We knew that two races were here
who had been educated differently, and
of course were unprcparcd for this new
change. The whites who.had been the
masters could not brook the liberation
of their slaves with calmness, would
have their peculiar views, and would
exhibit their feelings OIL all occasions
We knew also that the colored people
could not possibly understand all The
momentous questions which would arise
in the course of reconstruction, and the
political changes which were taking
place in our country. Hence we de
parted from our strictly ministerial work
and became interested=in their political
education and elevation. We ehave sought
to respect the preiudices of the whites
while we allayed the mdrmurings Of the
colored people; we have been earnest
in defending their manhood against all
attempts to wrong them by any class Of
men from the North or from the South
We have stood in the breach and amid
the hottest of the fight; we have lived
to see the establishment of the law OF
lnstice to all men by the election of U.
S. Grant, and the sanction of the whole
nation to the policy OF Reconstruction
Having seen this we feel that our mis-
sion is ended in the political arena so
far as parties are concerned. We now
stand as a citizen, identified with Soutl
Carolina as such, and bowling to the s,l-
premacy of the United States. We be-
iieve now that the colored people in
this State ought to turn their attention
to business, to the agricultural and in
dustrial pursuits. Of life. We believe
that the colored men in the South should
now seek the friendship of the whites
We are all free and equal before the
law, and that is as much as any reason,
able man can wish we know that the
whites have the superior advantages
over us in this country we know that
in the contest between the two races the
whites will be the victors; We know
that our race cannot compete with them
now, if ever. The whites have govern.
ment, country, law, commerce, and all
the superior means of civilization they
are superiorin numbers and Intelligence
We are but coming out of Egypt, and
are poor, ignorant, helpless, and VIC
need the helping hand of the white
race to assist us to rise up to honor and
distinction. II is mere folly for The col
orcd people in the South to say that tic
whites cannot live without them capi
tal and labor must 60 together, or Meth
er can flourish. We cannot succcec
while we disregard the mutual obliga
tions which exist between both races
The poor man must depend oi; the ricl
for employment the rich, by their su
perior education and position, create
business for themselves and give en-
ployment to the laborer.
Colored men Of the South, it is tim!
we were turning our attention to otho
duties than following the lead of ire
sponsiblc politicians. Your wives anc
childrcn's interest demands your Aten
ton. You should secure land, become
taxpayers and industrious citizens. 1h'
whole country have their eyes on yor
to see how You conduct yourselves Will
the freedom bestowed, and if you make
bad use of it you Will be the sufferers