New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-09-17


to say. The men Of the day must look to
the welfare of their race, and like the old
phrase, "in time of peace is the time to pre-
pare for war;" For ten years l have been
watching the course of this Government
toward the black man, and l see that we
only get what we fight for. 1t is true that
they have in part given lis citizenship, but
lar from what free American should enjoy.
1t may be sad that we have it in the North,
but when l look at Gov. p. L. S. Pinchback's
case in Louisiana, and see what the highest
power of the United States Government has
done and what it has failed to do in his case,
and also in the case of Mr.. Smith, ex-cadet
OF West Point, / am compelled to say that
the prejudice of the white man against the
black is not confined to the South. 1t is
from the lakes of the North to the Gulf of
Mexico-it is from the Pacific ocean to the
Atlantic. l feel to say in the case of Mr..
Smith that il is one of the most blasting fea-
lures on the part Of the white man to rob us
Of our honor and liberty that can be men,
toned. Had we a general to lead and mar
shall into line of battle our half million SOL
diers, we could make this Government feel
our strength, and the importance of treating
us as citizens. 1t is already said that the
North does not care any more for the negro;
that he is free, and is not the property of one
man but the property of the public. When
say the property of the public, 1 mean that
he is used as tool by the white men to sup
port them and their wives and children. l
have lived South six years, and can say as
one who knows the true condition of the
country.
AT no day since reconstruction has there
been more seeming tendency on the part
of the white man to rob the colored men of
their rights and liberties. 1t may be said by
some that we have our rights and are honored
with high positions in the Government. This
is true. but how long will it last? Already
have they plans that can and will be carried
out for bringing enough whites from the North
to override the colored people. South Caro-
lima, Mississippi and Louisiana are the only
States in which we get any rights, and in
these we only get part of what are known
as citizens rights. Then if we sec this plan
on foot to override us, should we be still?
am satisfied, in the present course of things,
that in a few years we will have no repre-
sentation IN any part of the Government.
Now, Mr.. Editor, would it not be better
for us if we could occupy States or Territories
to ourselves? Could we not in a few years
have generals and other representative men
in the highest positions of the nation? 1t
may be asked why we are particular about
having leader? l say to be without one at
the head of our nation is like a ship without
a captain. l need not mention to you the
honor achieved to nations by the skill of their
generals. Let us have good generals, and
our people we'll drilled in military tactics, and
we can demand our rights. 1 am urged by
many of our most intelligent people to call a
convention to be composed of colored men
representing every State and Territory in the
Union, to consider the future welfare of our
people. We wish the world TO know that we
are men, and that we will not be satisfied
with anything short of the highest rights OF
American citizens. We want our rights; we
paid for them On the battle-field-we paid for
them in blood; we mean to have them if we
are to go to the battlefield again and buy
them with the price of blood. Let us have
the convention. If YOU approve Of it let me
know at once. Our people are beng slauSh-
tered daily, and no relief can be had or no
redress to our grievances.
am yours, as ever, WALTER.