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

tereSt OF the afIlHceTS OI the NoItn W
raise the standard of proficiency at the
South. 1t is clearly the interest of the
great industries of the North to
strengthen themselves by alliance with
those at the South. This result would
be practicable to the fullest extent, If
those of our color throughout the
North could be placed in position to
bring among us the best knowledge
and skill in the departments of trade
to which they belong.
We would do injustice to ourselves
if, forgetting our own personal lndebt-
edness for the blessings of liberty, and
the pursuit OF Independence and hap
piness, to that outgrOwth of Christian
civilization, the benignant spirit OF our
country and century, we should pass
unnoticed 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 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 t0 those whose hui
name feelings rendered practicable
that eonsummate 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
it's practical results; that no peryer-
sion from the purposes OF your bounty
sllall prevent the full fruitiOn of the
great principles of justice that actu-
.ated you.
The growth of this nation has shown
that it's institutions are capable of
blending into All harmonious brother
hood all nationaiities and 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-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-
lions much beyond what was demon
strated by the precedents in parallel
cases i'll Europe and i'll our own eoun-
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
| nj existence, was, it must be admitted,
a 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 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
iculties and embarrassments that nee
essarily surrounded the attempts of
the government to yidicate 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 no,
the cause of the agitations that have
affected the country. The true cause
is the spirit of opposition to whatever
is enlarged and unselfsh in our gov
eminent, and that does not inure tc
the exclusive interest of the privileged
few which has seized upon the act OF
the Government as means of shut
ting out of the Southern States liberia
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 civi
and political duties, as well as an In
tuitive fitness for that form of govern
ment which we Justly regard as tn.
highest expression of civic wisdom.
| Under these circumstances, and witt
the proofs of the truth of our state
ment abundant on every hand, we asl
your fullest confidence and sympathy
We cannot point to the work of on
fathers commingled with that OF your
| 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 the,
inculcated and our zeal to render thei
work immortal and imperishabie. s
With this brief presentation of on
views and feelings, we beg to subscr;b,
ourselves, in behalf Of those we repre-