New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-10-09
An Appeal To the ~ bite CiuIen. OF Rhode


Island.
We have grievances the lesson taught has
been: do not respect us ii was urged in the
interest OF slavery, that the STAKEHOLDER
might have the example OF degrading the
colored man III the North to more securely
hold his slave in thrallom in the South We.
the subjects outraged, felt and feel aggricved;
chatting under the same, we can do no less
than protest; your intelligence and manly
natures must approve Of our course it is a
resentment you are proud to sympathze with
when manifested BY other Americans, when
they feel themselves aggrieved.
There is q law Of the State, which, 10 the
States disgrace, remains unrepealed, though
there has been late revision Of the laws a
law enacted to manifest contempt Tor u. a. a
class. The people. copying the oatragr
close their inns against US, and otherwise
manifest q lack of respect. II We 90 out OF
our State to other parts ota common country
for benevolent and christian purposes, on
missions Of charity, Of necessity, for gain or
pleasure, in the pursuit Of happiness, o. what
not, we are, in too many CALLING instances,
subjected to indi2nlties and violations OF civil
and public rights. that are not only great in
conyeniences, but notifying, as well as soul
detecting; 10 an extent greatly calculated +"
iacerate our pride as men and Americans.
We are bounded and prescribed in cars and
other public cOnyeyances; in inns and other
places OF refreshments, in places OF amuSe-
ment in public schools, ia constituting iuEies
and otherwise, to An extent which no Aueri-
can with any ofthe spirit we claim for Ameri-
cans, can, without demonstrating, submit to-.
The action Of Rhode Island i, quoted de-
rislyely in parts out Of IL; in others where
they would maintain Injustice, she is quoted
in lailiation. We ask for legislation 10 pro-
II hi. q hfr.I
plain. We are asked, "Do We wish special
legislation" we answer, no.
The legislation we demand will cover every
citizen.
True, occurrences might not be common in
which such law would be needed for others.
Still there NAV be occurrences; and further,
it must be borne in mind that though We are
declared freemen, the age has bean educated
to manifest disrsspect for US, and that ord
nary statutes will not Immediately overcome
il, calling for more stringent ones, that they
may be educators, and assist in protect,n"
the right Of those AotnI.ousiE poor and Sc
pendent.
What We ask iol does not disregard any
constitutional restraint; calls toT no discup-
ton or disregard Of the proper bars and Te-
straints Of society We ask fOg no intrusion
on the privacy Of home, and it, rightiul eX-
clusiyepess We ask 10 enjoy IN this and
other respects no more than Is enjoyed hs
others the enjoyment Of which gives no
shadow OF entitlement to an entree into any
mans domlcile and family against the will 81
the SAME at i OH !ublie rights W. ir
nand."
Colored men will obey the Laws Of restraint
| in the enjoyment Of public rights which con.
| troll others. With their rights assured there
will be no pressure and excltement; all will
( ind their cloth and affinity. The Injustice
which We complain Of, as We have iniima,sd
| il the print OF slavery; though the corrup
tree has been cut down, We are vet fed on lt'
J poisonous fruit Ttis should not be-