The weekly Louisianian., 1872-07-27

or
AME A.

The contrast between colored people Of
Louisiana Of to day, and those Of ten years
ago is nowhere more strikingly presented,
than IN the fact and textures Of this Con-
vention. Ten years ago as a race, We were
elslaycd, denied oil opportunities of edu-
cation and liable to be hunted over hill and
dale throughout this vast land as chattels.
To-day we are assembled as freemen COM
ing from the various walks and vocations
Of life clothed with the rights Of citizen
ship, Of suffrage, and of educational adj
vantages; in a word, with the opportunity
Of individual development, limited by our
own efforts alone. That much lanaius to
be done for 1s, and by us is true; that
much has been done is, thank God, equal
ly beyond doubt; the chastn between the
dark morass Of slavery, and its degraded
civilization, md the firm ground and
cheerful light of freedom has been crossed.
There remains now for Ills as a race, to OBJ
tain a set of public rights which, unlike
those already secured are harmless towards
ill men; take from no mans power or
comfort; that VIC should in all public places
and vehicles, when we have the ability and
willingness to compensate therefor; when
ever VIC are hungry be allowed to cat;
whenever we ore weary, be allowed q place
of rest; whenever we are called to travel,
be allowed comfortable places for rest and
food, can harm no man, cannot interfere
with the feelings of the most sensitive, I'M
less he be besotted by prejudice, and must
DO received by all tho good throughout the
world with joy and congratulation.
There is in this convention much Of
promises; while it is natural it is also
hopeful that We who have ourselves drank
such bitter drcgs Of sorrow, should strive
to alleviate tho sorrows of others, and
should as our organizations here repre-
scented and this convention itself import,
administer and disseminate the thousand
charities of Life.
While there is this achievcment and this
promise in our situation, there is also
corresponding responsibility; man left free
to advance in knowledge, in position, in
influence and fame, is bound by all the
incuratives which center in human life to
show an individual progress which shall
be as earnest ond as rapid as his oppor-
tunity is fair and unfettered. We need
this earnest devotion to individual devel-
opment, we need individual frugality,
even parsimony and self-donial, that VIC
may accumulate and put by wealth for
our children and transmit to them lands
and incomes. We need q steadily indus
trious spirit which will welcome long days
Of toll, since it brings with it The Free
mans opportunities. We need a spirit Of
study, a thirst for knowledge which will
lead us to devote our leisure hours with
our families to gathering and making our
own from books, from letters, from ser
mons, Ill the ideas possible.
We need an uncompromising spirit and
determination to have for our children the
most uninterrupted and best system Of
schooling, so that when they stand in our
places they will, by their personal &C
q~uirements in the various professions Of
life be able to compete with the citizens
Of tho world, who will then be to a still
greater degree than at present established
within the boundaries of our State.
We need, lastly, the stern principle
which will lead us as q general thing to
turn away from the precarious demorsliz-
ing and every way unsatisfactory life
which comes from holding political Offices,
one dollar honestly earned in any trade or
profession is worth more than that which
comes from the doubtful tenure Of any
political appointment.
Let us then with these motives devote
all our energies to advancing ourselves and
our race. SO that as the years pass and the
bright anniversary of emancipation re-
turns, we may as q people be continuity
advancing ourselves in knowledge, in ma
farial wealth and r,0wer