Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-12-08

10 the Rocku Mountain (Dcnrey) Ncrs::
AS a native. born colored man l desire,
through the columns Of the Nc,rs, to address
The coored men Of Colorado on their situa-
ton and duties at this dark hour in our
history. Born in Richmond, Va. about
forty years ago, Of slave parentsge, wore
the shackles OF 4 slave until the fall
ofRichmond, when, by the arbitrament of
war and the conquest Of the Confederate
army, | became nomnally free man.
With peace came the thirteenth and four
tccntl amendments TO the constitution of
the United States. and | fondly hoped that
thereafter liberty, equality and fraternity
would be in reality mine, and the birthright
ofmy children aud children's children. So
| migrated West and finally came TO Colo
RADIO. where have lived since 1872 always
being promised by tho republican party,
and always hoping that the good time was
coming. So year in year out have attend
ell republican meetings, voted always with
all my colorcd brethren the republican tick
ct at the polls, and how has the republican
party rewarded us? 1T all the various re-
publican county. ward and State convcn-
tons, has any colored man ever taken his
seat as an officer thereof? No, never. Has
any colored man in Colorado ever been
nominated to or elected to any Office Of
trust or responsibility? No, never.
The highest reward bestowed on our race
has been Il paltry doorkeeper to Governor
Pitkin or porter in the Circuit and Districts
courts of the United States. The colored
men of Colorado have been these long ten
years as much slaves to the scurvy politi
clan Of the Republican party as they ever
were to their old masters in Virginia. Nay
more one year ago when we applied to ex-
Senator Chatlce to aid us in sustaining our
own paper he replied that he would have
nothing TO do with the id nigger newspa
per-" Thus are we to-day but mere hewers
Of wood and drawers Of water to the dead
beats, the loafers and vagabonds who con-
troll and run the republican machine iii
Colorado. But more than this, than all.
On Monday last the Supreme court Of the
United States at Washington, composed of
eight Republicans and ono Democrat, ruled
and decided that the acts of congress which
sought to place US on a footing of equality
in railroad cars, hotels and theatres, with
our white brethren were null and void and
unconstitutional. So that our wives and
children are now to be spotted and driven
from all places Of amusement or public
houses, the same as if we were still slaves,
and strange to say, The only dissenting
Judge in that great tribunal was Harlan, of
Kentucky, who was born and raised among
slaves rs q slave owner. Such is the treat
ment all our colored men have received at
the hands Of the republicans the last ten
years Nay more; within month people
held a convention at Louisville to provide how
best to advance our interests and perform our duty
to our God. our country and ourselves. At that
convention Fred Douglas made one of the very
abcst speeches ever uttered in this country, and
vet the republican papers of Denver never pub
lishcd its proceedings the eloquent speech of
our great leader. And now the time has come for
US to yntc-and the united vote of the negroes OF
ArapaIoc county can determine its election.
What will you do, brethren? Will you still kiss
the rod that Snitcs you? Will you still vote for
that band of republicans who have spurned and
spit upon you these last ten years? Will YOU still
hold to the lies and frauds and cheats of such men
rs Chaf!cc? No, Il thousand times no. Let us join
heart and hantsto drive the republicans out OF
power. to change the Supreme Court of the United
States aud to have 4 new amendment to the con-
stituton that shall place Us, our wives and child
rem on footing of equality with all other citizens
of the Union. Let us do this, or go back to our
old masters in Virginia, put on tho shackies, and
once more become slaves to our old masters, who
never deceived or betrayed us rs these pot house
republicans have done and are doing to-day.
CHARLES CLINTON MOSBY.