Huntsville gazette., 1882-09-23
Where are we Drifting I!

Who can tell Who can point to
the beacon light ahead ? By pow
ers that are higher and stronger than
any we can make, we were brought
here and reduced to the lO,cest condi-
tion of servitude and then raised and
placed in possession of the rights OF
freemen. But we were left as ship
ut sea without a rudder. AS All ar
my without arms. In this pititable
condition We were pushed off on the
sea of freedom and told to go forth
and be Free Year after year we have
drifted on sometimes fair winds but
mostly foul.
We have had to breast the storm
without a sail. Is it any wonder then
that many bark has gone down p
Yet the world looks on quietly and
wonders what breakers We will next
strike. Sometimes a passing bark
will lend us plying glance.
We frequently encounter piraticaI
ships that sack and abandon us and
vet we have drifted on And With
what implicit faith we have ever look
ed up for the Hand of succor--with
what longing eyes we have looked to
the christian people of this Southland
to lend us helping hand. How Of
ten have We prayed for this cup to
pass from US. But yet we are allow
I'd to drift on, We have passed the
rugged rocks Of Fort pillow. We
have survived the breakers of Grant
Parish. We have at last escaped the
piratical ships Of the KuKlux Klan.
And the monster sea serpent OF Choc-
taw County Ala.-too has passed on.
But who can tell how soon before an
other mightier than these will be hurl
ed against our frail bark
How frequently have we entered
our closet aud prayed 30 God Of
Abraham have mercy on us" What
great sin have we done? Can it be
that for bearing a color different from
our fellowmen that we are thus &C
cused I hope not. They say VIZ
are ignorant. Have they tried to en-
tighten US? They say we are infe.
rior as a race. Then, in Gods name
are they afraid to give US fail
chance in the race Of life ? [ appea
to the good christians of the land -
0, stop and think tor a moment. Are
you, think you, following the Master
Do you think you can appear at The
doors of heaven with clean hands
when you hive allowed this tie
bark of ours to drift on year aftel
year and never. neuer once, made
an effort to save the crew.
We ask but an equal chance befory
the law, no more, no less Are yol
not willing to grant this reasonab bl,
and just request You knoW tha
we are not turbulant You knO1U tha
we are not frebrands. You know
that by nature we are docile ant
kind. When you waged cruel was
to keep us as chattel. Did we mur
der call the white people p 0, n,
but we titled your soil. made you
bread, cared for your wives and chill
dren left at our mercy, and serve'
you every way faithfully. Now, W
ask you, for the fair name Of you
State, for the good of humanity, ant
for the cause of Him that YOU profes;
to serve, to frown down on such muir
derers as those Of Jack Turner 0, le
not our little boat go to pieces fo
the want of friendly hand that yo,
could give. We do not seek your SO
ciety, We only ask you as Christians
as Servants Of the Master to help III
to safely anchor our little boat in som,
quiet haven. Will you not, at least
frown down those whose hands ar,
red with the blood of our murdered
'ONE OF THE CREW"
Rotation in Office.