New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-08-28
EecOgHiiiOr.

As the debris Of American slavery is
cleared away and colorcd Americans begin
to make their appearance in the public and
private walks of life, many difficulties over
take them in their demands for fair recogni-
ton. The burdens Of oppression and preiu-
dice, rs a rule, have deprived them not only
Of the results of their own toll, hut in large
measure Of all educational opportunities and
social advantages. They have been excluded,
almost wholly. from assuming high and hon.
"rable public responsibilities together with
accompanying emOluments.
In considering the question of recognition,
the wrong thus pcrpctratcd must be acknow-
lodged first, last, and at all times, until
proper reparation is made. The Anglo Saxon
having secured the start by unfair means,
must either return and begin anew or al
once give to the new citizen an impartial
chance in order to make the Journey in life
fair. The honor prevailing even among mem.
bers of the turf demands an even start as
necessary to a fair race.
As result of past in Justice and inequality
before the law every avenue in life has been
preoccupied. The large experience and spe-
cial fitness usually considered necessary in
the transaction of any and every variety of
business, whether in politics, law, medicine,
commerce or otherwise, have been obtained
only by those anticipating the field. Until
recently no public Office of honor, trust, and
profit found its way to cOlored citizens. In
the private and benevolent enterprises in
our country, whether established for the COM
mon interest or the colorcd mans special
elevation, the duties connected with honor
able responsibilities, yielding agreeable
profits, have always fallen, happily for the
Anglo Saxon, his wife and children, to their
lot. And along with these profits have come
the convenience, Injuries, and blessings of
earthly life.
1t is not TO be successfully denied that the
effects of past discrimination against the col
Ored American still exist, and that his color
affords frequent and powerful occasion for
the display of such discrimination. Their
money, ability, culture, excellent character
and gentlemanly department, including their
renown as orators, do not shield our Doug
lasses and LangStOns ir0m American prciu.
dice. These qualifications. blessings 10 the
Anglo Saxon, are no sure passport 10 the
cOlored man.
Plausible excuses OF reasons for past ex-
clusion or discrimination are not wanting.
About the cOlored mans untriod ability
there seems TO be some doubt his energy,
it il feared, may not be equal TO the task
his adaptabiltyis questioned, and, Of course,
he is 50 unfortunate as to possess no expert
ence. Well what then" Why the duty,
whatever it may be, must lac entrusted to
some one who is experienced. 1t i, not
difficult 10 determine upon which race the
mantle will fall.
But how j. ihis demand for ust recogni-
ton TO lee practically settled? We unhesi-
tatingly answer: As color or race, supple
mented by injustice, has been the cause of
exclusion, so let color or race, reasonable
fitness conceded, be the ground of rcCngni-
ton until the scales are once more balanced.
The negro respectfully demands a fair pro-
portion Of the powers, responsibilities and
duties of life, together with all the ills and
blessings attending them. He would sub
Je(i W bI reasonable
fitness only before undertaking them. In
the discovery Of that fitness the same rea-
sonable risks and chances must be taken as
IN all other eases.
In the absence Of recognition aud repre-.
sentatiOn, the colOred American is not con-
WINGED that his interests will be fully cared
for. One of the foundation principles of our
Republic is recognition or representation.
The German element in our country, its
interests neglected, seeks recognition. The
laborer, his rights ignored, demands hearing
through the labOring mans friend
Vain il the advice that he entrust his
Interests to the capitalist. Equally vain
would be the counsel that lie desist from
pressing his distinctive demands as a laborng
man. Cool is the suggestion that the colored
American, after enduring over Two centuries |
Of wrong and exclusion from the results Of
his own efforts ard submitting TO every de- |
pr.vat:on of just public bCneiaction, refrain
from referring TO his wron.s and his color