New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-01
Testimonial and Appeal ~ Charles
Sumner from CSlored People Of
Cincinnati.

CINCINNATI.
CINCINNATI, ONO, December, &.
10 Hon. Charles Summer, United States Soc
atr:
DEAR SIR: We feel under lasting obilga
lions to you for your untiring efforts il behalf
OF lon8-oppressed and prescribed people
we recognize in you true and tried friend
OF the colored people, as we'll as the friend
OF the oppressed Of all lands. The Union
Baptist Church (colored) choose me to salute
you in the name Of the Church Of God, hu.
manity, Of civil liberty and Of the right to
the immunities and privileges Of common
country. Grace, mercy and peace be multi
Piled unto you. We pray that you will urge
the claims of the civil rights bill until the
cries Of the four millions Of human beings
who have been called out Of the graves OF
American slavery, but who are yet in their
grave clothes-the subjects Of an unjust dis
elimination, for no other than that it pleased
the Advise God to give Us colored skins and
curly hair. We are thankful for the boon Of
liberty. We have heard the proclamation
which broke our chains, and now we think
that God has raised you up for the purpose of
loosing the bands which now bind us. Your
civil rights bill will break the bars forged by
the curse Of caste, and thus open the way for
the enjoyment of life, liberty aud the pursuit
OF happiness. the common right Of all other
Nations, and people, who find home in free
America. We will pray in our churches and
around our firesides, that God will put the
Golden Rule" into the hearts of the hon
orable members IT the present Congress Of
the United States. And a. ye would that
men should do to you, do ys also to them like
WISE" We ask that you will urge the speedy
passage Of the civil rights bill, as an act Of
justice founded on the eternal principles OF
right. We make no unconditional demands :;
for demand implies the power to enforce !;
but we appeal 70 tho better judgment, the
higher sense of right and justfos, tho noble
and patriotic feelings Of intelligent and hu.
name Americans for those rights which they
themselves would wish to enjoy, were they
placed in our stead, living in country where
there were eight colQrsd men to one white
man. We appeal to you in the name Of 9OO,-
QUO c0lOred voters, who are constituent parts
Of the body polite Of this great country, for
the civil rights accorded 10 other citizens.
We appeal to you in the name Of the colOred
soldiers who fought, blsd and died to save tho
honor OF the country and tho flag which af-
forded them no projection lat that tine). but
that Of "b!ack men having no r,ghts which
white men were bound to respect" We ask
you, in the name Of the widows and orphans
of the Union Colored Soldiers, whose bodieS
are now i'll the soldiers graves, do not deny
their children the lights Of the country's
common veal, for which they Gin common
with the white Union sOldiers) gaye their
lives arausoIn. In conclusion, we will pray
to the God of Nations that Congress. shall
not finally adjourn until it finishes the work
of emancipation, SO nObly begun, and 70
which, sir, you have given the cream of your
useful life, and now, dear sir, lot the CROWN
ing act Of your life, aud that Of the present
Congress now assembled, 10 that Of lifting
the Keystone Of civil rights above the arch Of
Liberty's editce, with shoutings of grace
unto it, amid the congratulations Of both
both worlds, tho old aud the new.
Ircmain yours, with great respect,
J. II. MAGEE.
Done by order Of the Union Baptist Church
and congregation.