New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-06-25
The Negro Disappointed.

The first session of the FOrty-Third Con-
gress has come to close. But a few years
ago the black mans interest in the begin
ming and ending of session of Congress
extended not far beyond the hope that no
harder oppression than they were enduring
would be fastened upon them; and breath
Of relief at the close of session if no deeper
outrage had been perpetrated upon them,
OR seized with despair and terror when the
rapacity OF the dominant race enacted flgi-
tive slave laws and the Supreme Court
declared negroes TO be things with no right
to life, liberty, or to the pursuit of happiness
The nation has made long and rapid strides
since the years of cruelty and oppression
which made the Government of the United
States the most tyrannical and barbarous of
the civilized Governments Of the worll.
The monster slavery, whose effort to stran-
gle TO death the nation brought upon it sue h
retaliation as to bring the destruction it in
tended for the nation upon its own head, is
now dead. Its victims are citizens of the
nation that oppressed them. They take a
lively interest in the prosperity Of their
country. In one section Of the country they
form the wealth-producing class. In that
section the labor of the late slaves cannot
be dispensed with save at the expense of
great suffering and utter ruin to the whole
people. The late slaves free Amen-
can citizens-are putting forth all their ener-
gies TO rid themselves Of the evil effects
growing out OF an oppression of themselves
and their ancestors for more than two CEN
turtles in this land. NoOne attempts to deny
that the negro is bending his energy to the
work of his mental and moral improvement.
Some there are, however, who claim that this
effort will cease So soon as the novelty of
his freedom from the control of a master
passes away. This opinion is simply an ex-
preston Of the desire of the enemies of enlan-
cipation and to the policy that led to the
enfranchisement of the negro. The desire
for knowledge, like the desire for wealth,
increases as well with the negro as with the
white man by its increased acquisition. We
have not the slightest doub' of the negro's
persistence and ability in acquiring knowl-
edge. He is exhibiting such an energy for
ulcutdi Us W cACltc tuc WOuucC
and establishment Of those who honestly be-
lieved in his incapacty. Honest men who
looked upon the negro as fit only for slave,
are coming forward and acknowledging their
error.
To-day the black man is citizen and as
a citizen, ne is interested in the beginning
aud ending Of a session of Congress, as are
all other classes Of citizens. At times diff
ferent classes Of citizens are peculiarly inter-
ested in particular subjects for legislation
which, while because of their business are
beneficial to all. are at the same time cal
culated to promote, TO an extent not before
true, the interests of certain class. Take
for instance the cheap transportation move
Lent. The agricultural class in the West
are more particularly interested 10 this move.
ment, aI6 its interests will be promoted to
an extent not before true If the movement
is a success. Take for another example the
manufacturing class Of the country which
desires protection to its industry in the form
of a protective tariff. by The adoption Of its