The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1871-11-18

civilization, the benignant spiritnf our
country and century, we should pass
the condition OF those OF
our race who are still in the state OF
slavery. The public sentiment OF TINS
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 will attract the at
tention and influence the conduct OF
those few remaining nations, that still
maintain slavery as a legal institution.
1t is our privilege, in addressing
YOU, 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 fruitiOn of the
great principles Of justice that actu-
ated yous
The growth of this nation has shown
that it's institutions are capable OF
blending into an harmonious brother
hood all nationalities and all interest
and industries. In all other instances
than that of the accession of our race
to citizenship, the aceretion of the ele-
ments of its population has been grad
uaI-giving 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-,
tions much beyond what was demon
strated by the preeedents in parallel
cases in Europe and in our own coun-
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 be admitted,
startling political feat.
But we are happy to point to the
proof of the wisdom OF those who ge-
garded that course the safest which
was indicated by the demands of JUS
tice. We are proud to be able to point
to the history of our people since they
have been admitted to citizenship as
proof that they understand what is due
from the citizen to the government
owing him protection. Although they
have suffered much at the hands of
those who would deprive them of their
rights, they have appreciated the diff
| ticulties and embarrassments that nee
! essarily surrounded the attempts of
the government to vidicate their rights
and have waited uncomplainingly un-
til relief could be afforded although
many times they could have found in
Simultaneous relief by initiating. their
oppressors aud taking the law into
their own hands.
We would call attention to the fact
that the comforting of citizenship upon
our people, though the occasion, is not
the cause of the agitations that have
affected the country. The true cause
is the spirit of opposition to whatever
is enlarged and .unseltish in our gov
eminent, and that does not inure to
| the exclusive interest of the privileged
few which has seized upon the act OF
! the Government as a means of shut
ting out of the Southern States liberal
and national ideas.
We affirm, without fear of contra
diction that the colored people of the
United States have conducted them
selves as good citizens, and have dis
played aptness to discharge their civil
and political duties, as well as an in
tnitive fitness for that form of govern.
ment which we justly regard as the
highest expression of civic wisdom.
Under these circumstances, and with
the proofs of the truth of our state
ment abundant on every hand, we ask
your fullest confidence and sympathy
We cannot point TO the work of oul
fathers commingled with that of yours
in the noble structure of Government
we all delight to admire and to guard
but we can claim to have embodied
their animating spirit as displayed il
our devotion to the truths that they
inculcated and our zeal to render thei1
work immortal and imperishable.
With this brief presentation of on
views and feelings, we beg to subscrib,
ourselves, in behalf of those we repre-
sent, very respectfully, your humble
fellow citizens and obedicnt servants
ROBERT B. ELLIOTT
JAS. M. SIMMS,
RICHARD NELSON,
IT. WALLS,
ISAAC MYERS,
B. A. BOSNIAN,
+. C. ANTOINE,
J. F. QVARLES,
F. G. BARBADOES.
I do hereby certify that the forego
ing address was unanimously adepte,
by the Convention, on this the els
! day of October, 1871.
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