The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1871-11-04

civilization, the benlgnant spirit Vi oul /
country and century, we should pass
upnOticed the condition of those OF
our race who are still in the state OF |
slavery. The public sentiment OF this /
great nation combined with that OF |
Europe, with the good offices OF our |
Government, is surely sufficient To
hasten the abolition of African slavery /
throughout the world. We sincerely !
trust that expression may be given to |
such sentiment as viii attract the at
tention and influence the conduct OF
those few remaining nations that still
maintain slavery as legal institution.
Tt is our privilege, in addressing
Won. To utter the voice of four millions
of citizens of this great country. That
voice is addressed to those whose hui
name feelings rendered practicable
that consummate act that elevated so
vast a body at once to the enjoyment
of civil and political manhood. 1t Is
not too much to anticipate that par
TALLY for the work that owes its Legal
completion to you, will influence you
to watch carefully the Development of
its practical results that no perver'
sion from the purposes OF your bounty
shall prevent the full frution Of the
great principles of Justice that actu'
ated you.
The growth OF this nation has shown
that its institutions are capable OF
blending into all harmonious brother
hood ali nationalities aud all interest
and industries. In all other instances
than that of the accession of our race
to citizenship, the accretion of the. ele~
ments of its population has been grad
ual-giying time to complete the pro-
cess of assimilation In our case we
are well aware that there was much to
alarm the apprehension OF those care
/ full statesmen who hesitated To specu-
late as to the strength of our institu-
lions much beyond what was demon
strated by the presidents in parallel
cases in Europe and III our own eounr
try. The instantaneous embodiment
of four millions OF citizens who had
for years looked upon the government
as not only denying them citizenship,
but as preventing them from acquiring
that capacity under any other nation
al existence. was, it must he admitted,
| q startling political feat.
But we are happy TO point to the
proof of the wisdom of those who re-
garded that course the safest which
was indicated by the demands of JUS
tice. We ere proud to be able to point
to the history of our people since they
have beer admitted to citizenship as
proof that they understand what Is due
from the citizen 90 the government
owing him protection. Although they
have suffered much at the hands o.
those who would deprive them of theil
rights. they have appreciated the diff:
n ficulties and ADVERTISEMENTS that nee.
essarily surrounded the attempts O
the government to yidicate their rights
and have waited unconplainingly un
, | til relief could be afforded ; although
: many times they could have found in
a,tantaneous relief by initiating thei
oppressors aud taking the law int
their own hands.
, We would call attention te the fac
that the comforting of citizenship upol
our people, though the occasion, is no
the cause of the agitations that hav
! affected the country. The true caus
: is the spirit OF opposition TO whateVe
: is enlarged and unselfish in our gov
: eminent, and that does not inure t
the exclusive interest of the privilege
/ few which has seized upon the act G
the Government as means OF shut
!, ting ont of the Southern States ibers
} and national ideas.
: We affirm, without fear of contra
. diction that the co'ored people of til
/ United States have conducted them
selves as good citizens, and have dis
played aptness to discharge their civ
!. and political duties, as well as an il
: tuitiFe fitness for that fcrm of govern
q ment which W. justly regard as th
n highest expression of civic wisdom
= Under these circumstance 5, and wit
" the proofs of the truth Of cur stat,
e ment abundant on every hanl I'VE as
:, your fullest confidence and sympath,
- We cannot point to the work Of 81
= fathers commingled with that of YOU
{ in the noble structure of Governrael
a we all delight to admire and to guaF,
=. but we can claim to have embodie
Il their animating spirit as displayed
= our devotion to the truths that the
= inculcated and our zeal to render the
- work immortal and imperlshable.
= With this brief presentation of o.
4 views and feelings, we beg to subscril
% ourselves, in behalf of those we repr
Il sent, very respectfully, your humb
~ fellcw-citizeps and obedient servant
=. ROBERT B. ELLIOT
% JAS. M. SIMMS,
70 RICHARD NELSON,
20 j. T. WALLS,
i, ISAAC MYERS,
rs B, A. BOSNIAN,
to F. C. ANTOINE,
81 j. F. QUARLES,
- Il. G. BARBAnOES.
I'll
a. do hereby certify thai the foree
no ing address was unanimously adopt
~ by the Convention, op this the 81
u 1 =. .,en ~