New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-30
THR PEOPLES COLUMN.

IB51ey commandments o. 1N0tsSdc0-x<O7tg
Ones Inrariably Rejected The Editor not
Responsible for the Sentiments Expressed
the Copsmnnscatiens.
New ORLEANS, April %, 1872.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:
We see that the proceedings Of the Col
ored Convention, convened few days
since at the Mechanics Institute, were some-
what favored by Northern delegates in the
interest Of the Philadelphia convention
Grant!
Looking facts square in the face, we wish
to ask the colored race-soldiers and citi-
Gems, both North and South-what General
Grant and President Grant ever did to for
ward or promote the interest and welfare OF
the colored people, either as contrabands.
soldiers or citizens Some of you undoubt-
eddy answer, that he was at the head of the
army in the field that gave you freedom.
This we will admit, but will prove to your
satisfaction that it was no good will OF his
own that accomplished the work Of iber-
ating the slave, or in any way indebted to
him for the privilege you now possess.
Abraham Lincoln in the year 1862 COM
menced to agitate the question Of using the
slave in the federal army. General Grant
bitterly and undeniably opposed it, even
for cooks in the mess room; they could not
be trusted; they would destroy the status
of the army. President Lincoln intimate d
the policy of iberating the slave by gen.
eral proclamation, and that they must be
used even by placing arms in their hands;
formed into companies and assigned to
regiments, etc. Grant, commanding the
then Western army, opposed it to an extent
that his removal was seriously discussed at
Washington. This information was speedily
forwarded to General Grant by some
friends, telling him he must withdraw his
opposition to the ''nigger," or he would not
be General commanding any great length
of time. In view to quiet matters, an order
was promulgated, directing company COM
manders to take up three contraband
cooks on their muster and pay-rolls; also,
that few more could be used by putting
into their hands shovels and picks. Sent
to the front as Observation-Disclosures with
out arms!
This order was complied with; but Presi-
| dent Lincoln, the emancipation, could not
realize why they would not make good
soldiers; that the interest and future well
fare of the colored race should not be ad-
vanced; that they should have an oppor-
tunity to place their noble deeds upon
| record. The proclamation was heralded to
the world declaring the bonds of sla very
broken. The President, notwith stand
ing the discouraging reports received
from General Grant, insisted that the col
ored man should have chance to make his
mark as dutiful soldier, directed the Ad-
jutant General (ThOmas) to order the en-
listment Of colored men and placed upon
the same footing as white soldiers. Grant
still ignored the policy and action Of Presi-
dent Lincoln, but could not very well dis
obey orders, '.if it did break owners"
The "Vicksburg canal was then in its
infancy, and 1--WE can use them there to a
good advantage" by placing few white
soldiers to guard them, prevent the rebels
from stealing their arms and equipments u
as much as to say they would not fight.
| The canal was failure, but not to the dis
! credit of colored troops. General Grant
| was forced to believe in the efficiency of
| the colored soldier; he could not go back
on "Milikens Bend" and "Port Hudson, y but
| we can snub them little by refusing to
| have inscribed upon their battle worn flag
the victories SO bravely won. This is the
noble work that Grant has done for the
colored people of the South.
| In 1859 Congress proposed and did pro
regular army. President Grant quietly OPP
posed the section of that bill admitting foul
infantry and two cavalry colored regiments
as part of the army. His political friends
assured him that Congress was too much
his color to admit the passage of any army
bill that did not provide for colered regi
| ments. "Savor it with as little colored al
possible, and we will choke it down in time
Has President Grant ever advanced al
idea, or ever performed any act during hi
administration that was beneficial to thu
colored people in the Souths In 1869 tn
|
was very much in favor of disbanding it
colored regiments; but political chapte
was read to him again by some relative,
which convinced him that it was policy tt
submit to the obnoxious colored soldie
until the proper time should come, AM
then 1--WE will toss several of these coloret
laws overheard" for they are very poo
consultations to "our idea of republican gov
eminent"
The State of Louisiana has now, workin!
at various occupations, over $4,000 coloret
soldiers that have served in the army
They remember these facts. They know
that they are not indebted to Grant TO
the freedom they now so harmoniously en-
joy. Abraham Lineoln's name will Away
be engraved upon the banner Of freedom
The Republican Congress that backed tn
President (Lincoln| you are in duty bount
to honor, extending to it your entire sup
port. You are well aware that Grant doe
not represent the majority of the Republican
party. His supporters are Office holders
They will assemble in Philadelphia with up
lifted hands, begging to be allowed to holt
on four years longer to the government
pap. Their death knell has doomed GU
from New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Hi
nois, Iowa, Missouri, Louisiana and hos
of other Republican States.
The colored men OF Louisiana are called
upon to stand firm; take hold of the whee
with the young scion who has SO ably ad
ministered the laws of justice, of protectio,
to the colored race, not only at the ballot