New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-07-16
From Ohio.
PORTSMOUTH, OHIO, July !, 1874.

PORTSMOUTH, OHIO, July I, 1874.
z" the Editor Of The NeO National Era:
Not having seen the last two issues of the
ERA, feel somewhat at loss as to what to
write about. Howbeit, Congress has ad-
journed, and the civil rights of over four
millions of our people are still held in abey-
ance +; and so long as our God-given rights
are unwarrantably denied us, a topic upon
which to write, speak and preach, is easily
found.
had thought that after so much had been
said and done in reference to the life and
character of the Hon. Charles Sumner and
his noble life-work, there would have been
no difficulty in the passage of the bill which
he introduced and upon the making law of
which he had set his heart. You see it was
all fulsome stuff. 1 had felt that Congress
would do just as it has done. l hoped for
better, but it was hoping against hope.
1 SAID In my last that the negro was too
great burden for the party to carry; but
they had better accord to him his rights, or
in addition to his being burden, he will be-
come an eye-sore in the body polite that the
present generation cannot heal. TO sum the
whole matter up briefly, if our rights as a
people are properly regarded by the party in
power and the government, we will be given
all the privileges included in the late Mr..
Summers civil-rights bill; and if these
rights are not accorded us there is no reason
or excuse to justify their Withholding or de-
nying them.
Now, if the Republican party would retain
its honor and preserve the confidence which
the colored people have reposed in it, it must
keep the solemn pledges made in its platform
and march unwaveringly to the music of
Equal Rights to All; Exclusive Rights to
None. The platform upon which the party
came into power, cannot be ignored; by
that declaration of principles we stand, and
if any become separated from us, it is because
they, and not us, have turned traitors to the
Republican party.
We only demand what rightfully belongs
to us, and no more. We simply ask for JUS.
tice, and for nothing inconsistent with the
fundamental principles of our government.
We but call upon the Republican party to be
honest and faithful to its trust, nothing else.
We do not wish to be told by some luke
warm and other really unfaithful leaders
what they would do if they could. We have
come to see. and to know that you can if
you will.
Our rights we want, and we want them
now no policy, no expediency, no debate
as to its effect upon this or that section Of
the country; no Drs. of Divinity's opinion is
to be weighed when we as men and citizens,
on the same political and moral plane as
these D. d., are prescribed in the exercise
and enjoyment of rights which are full ac-
corded them, and to which they have no
more just claim than we. Nothing else will
satisfy us. Delay in this matter is grossly
wrong. If the opponents Of this last great
and browning measure to the work of per-
feet liberty and equal justice are justified in
withholding our rights for single day. the
same right exists to withhold them forever;
if we are entitled to them next year, we have
been this.
Yours for the Right,
VIM. +. WALKER.
P.S.-Since last wrote you, have visit
ed and preached and lectured in Irvinton and
GallipOlis, and am now here-Portsmouth
The people here are getting along quite we'll.
Many own property, and, from appearances,
they are better to do than in some of the
places of greater note that have visited
yet they are in a way lacking in energy and
public spirit.
Ironton is one of the fastest little towns
on the river, and it has more life and real 60
aheadativeness, than any place that have
visited since leaving Wheeling, but, then,
Wheeling is as old again but that really
makes no difference, as other places older
than Wheeling lag behind in all that gives
character to city or town.
With this place am much pleased, and
will give you the particulars Of my stay here
in my next. Yours, etc.
". +. ".