New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-12

in the hope of staying the growing and rising
influence of the enlightenment Of the masses
OF the people, some of the leaders in this
highly estimated sphere of social exclusive
ness and arrogance, unexpectedly to them
selves, started into motion, until their quiet
| forces, that became irresistible in their power
and revolutionary in their effects and results
| ending in a complete reconstruction of our
| social and political institutions that gives
republicanism free powers for the exercise of
Its elevating influence, and securing the
proper reward which may be due to the hope
fui aspirant in the contest between "class'
claims and individual merit. Thus men and
women, heretofore kept back from the exer-
else of their innate powers of mind, are now
freeing themselves of the trammes thrown
around them by the self-constltuted supe-
rlors, and are pressing forward with true
manliness and vigor, and earning for them
selves the proper recognition due them, So
cially and politically; and, prominent among
these, stands the eloquent intellectual giant,
Frederick Douglass; the able jurist, John
NJ. Langston; the keen and logical Isaiah
Wears; the free-spoken VIM. D. Forten,
and many others that could be named equal
in merit and labors, who have worked them
selves from under the superintendent
weights that for years held them with iron
force and the. revolutionized spirit Of to-
days regeneration honors and fully recog-
nizes their equal manhood, and voluntarily
distinguishes them by marks of public con-
sideration and honor.
Millions Of the once prescribed and en-
shaved class, though schooled in the severest
condition of mental adversely and demoraliz-
ing surroundings, are, in their recognized
citizenship, giving the highest evidence of
their appreciation of its value and its attend
ant responsibilities, both in its simplest re-
quirements as the ruled, and in the higher
and more exacting position as administrative
rulers
To-day bears witness to the impressive
fact Of the peoples confidence, by the COM
mand of their vote, that the names of Fred
erick Douglass and VIM. D. Forten should
be enrolled among the representative men of
the nation, entrusted with the high duty of
casting the aggregative will of millions of
American citizens, that Ulysses S. Grant
shall continue to rule as the representative
ahead Of our Government.
Although its future was for time dark
ened with threatening shadows of evil, and
shaken to its very centre by the persistent
assaults and undermining influence and teach
ings of false aristocracy, yet these attacks
but proved its enduring strength, and, when
it was forced to defend itself, it developed
forces and brought into active service over
looked powers, the employment of which was
a fatal blow against long practised wrongs
of slaves; and the dismemberment from the
body polite, this fungus-covered branch that
had lost its vitality whilst nourishing the I'M
natural youth which had fastened itself upon
it, it secured its own life and perpetuity, and
strengthened its protective powers.
Under tie old regime of Southern arlstoc.
racy, the ignorance Of the masses was its
most reliant assurance of power to hold those
it subjected to its will, and in the hope of
maintaining it they endeavored to close every
avenue, by death penalties, against the APP
proach Of the messengers Of intellectual light,
and ignorance, with all of it's concomitant
evils, fourished with undisputed sway; and
it was not until the laundering cannon of our
republican armies, forcing its way over the
" sacred SOIL" burst through the soul-darken-
ing thralldom, and opened free passage to
the missionaries Of learning and religious en-
lightenment; and the laborers, men and
women, came forward from the hated and
long-derided and moderated class, as in
structors, and distinguished themselves in
seif-sacri1cing work for the intellectual i'm
provement Of the once down-trodden and en-
shaved of the South, which must result in CIV
ing better and more healthy tone to it's So
ciety, by the removal Of the cause of its
weakness, and securing for all higher ciyli-
cation.
Experience, fresh in our memories, has
taught us that war brings with it many sad
atteE ants, long to be remembered, and diff
cult to overcome; yet there is q consolatory
thought, that with us, it has not been with
cut some compensating gains-the complete
extirpation of great social and political evils,
that no other means could have secured.
Millions of Gods children were freed by it
and relieved from more than heather bond
age, and are being prepared for a fuller COM
prehension of the dignity of their manhood
and to understand its responsibilities as &C.
countable beings, and to stand proudly erect
as American citizens, and ready to act up to
every requirement Of that titled name.
With promptings such as these, the most
lowly become hopeful, self-relant, and as
piring, and are properly conditioned to APP
preciate their freedom, and if need be, to
battle for its maintenance. Such is the make
up of a true American citizen, and to re-
markable and extraordinary degree has this
appreciative spirit manifested itself among
those long stigmatized as being "too depraved
by nature" to bo other than "hewers OF
wood and drawers WATER" and being beyond
the reach Of culture and refinement; yet from
out Of this very class have men and women
risen to positions Of distinction for theil
scholarly attainments, and filling chairs o.
professorship in seminaries Of learning, mum