The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-16

4 Of their former condition as a slave
Wherein he performed his part nobly and
well, SO that his freedom may prove q
blessing to future generations instead OF
an absolute curse. Nearly all the negro
problem discussioniets have held forth the
idea that the want Of the old slave
is the establishment OF schools, colleges.
churches and the like for the education
| OF the rising generation of negroes and
| for the moral culture OF black people.
young and old alike. The physical COM
! fort and temporal welfare OF the negro
race does not appear to have engaged the
attention of single one of the many dis
tingushed statesmen, philosophers and
scholars who have undertaken the solu-
ton OF the negro problem, concerning
which they have been SO terribly exer-
clsed. The Southern slaves were recog-
nized as chattel property possessing a
marketable value: they were made the
subject of taxation for the benefit OF the
government. aud as such contributed their
share of revenue to the treasury, after
having been the subject Of taxation by the
government. That government has seen
fit TO make them citizens. Having been
made a citizen without the asking of such
boon, 1t is the citizen that demands pay
for his labor, that will enable him to
perform an honorable part of life The
government owes the ex-save for 244
years OF labor Under the flag they were
made to work without pay. Now under
the same hag they should be paid.
My friends, permit me to say that all
great nations have been willing and ready
TO make valuable recompense for wrongs
perpetrated. Indemnity between great
States and growing out of a condition of
war has been the rule of the world. Our
own country exacted vast tribute from
Mexico. because OF the war Of 1915 Calf
fornia came to US. France emptied into the
Golfers or Germany nearly fabulous
wealth in the settlement of their last APP
peal to ar MS, Great Britain paid us 49,
900, 900 as an indemnity.
Just as the blood of the Savior. shed
upon the cross, is recognized ms an In
Identification for the sins of mankind
among Christian, money indemnity for
errors OF one government committed
against another Is the accepted mode OF
rendering satisfaction.
The Southern taxpayers, white and coll
ored. ought not to be forced to care for
these people. They are the wards of the
government. If the sayiors Of nation are
worthy of pension the wards are worthy
Of practical assistance.
President Mckinley has failed to do
justice to the colored people. he refuses
10 acknowledge chvalry of the colored
soldiers; he IS a grand man but lacks back
bone.
Tho ex-slave association Of which /
have the honor of being president proposes
to assist in the passage OF a bill to pension
eN-slaves, 10 create an eN-slasos home to
care for its sick members and assist Ia
a general way to better their condition.
We have paid out this year for sick bene-
fits over $500. In the city OF Houston we
have paid out several dollars, SO you can
see what We are doing. We shall continue
this agitation until We receive GU. Just
dues. II must not he forgotten that an
Law
lutely necessary to carry on the work. We
have clerks to pay, postage printing and
other expenses; this must BE paid by the
association. Like bread cast upon the water
1t will return after many days Indeed the
good seed so plaate1 VIII spring up and
bring forth fruit that may be styled in
ecriptural lsngLoge thirty sixty and q
hundred fold Then organize an asso-
citation In your community at once. We
are glad to present such a plan to the ex-
slaves. We believe that the same God that
brought US out of bondage will awaken
congress TO the sense of its duty.
This Ia a just debt that the government
owes us for the toiing that we were forced
to render. The blood of millions of our
brave men were shed for our liberty, sure
ly we can sacrifice a few cents TO prose-
cute our work until success shall crown our
banners. Let us not cease this work until
we snail receive our Just dues. IL VIII be
the duty OF public men to assist in the
passage OF the eX-slave pension bill,
whether in the senate or the house
whether presidents or the governors of
States. whether judges of courts, attorneys
at the bar. whether bankers or managers
OF great co operation of every class. to ask
themselves whether this claim OF one tenth
of the population of the United States
ought to be disregarded and whether any
country can continually prosper that suf-
fc'a injustice to such a large part of its
people. AS you should be judged by the
future generations OF your countrymen, and
finally by tho Aiwise Arbiter OF human
accounts, you are asked not to turn deaf
ear to the petition now made Ia behalf OF
a misused and selfshly derided race, which
has been emancipated from bondage only
to be welded 10 lives OF ignorance and a
condition Of penury bordering upon star
walton. In the name and hope OF that
justice which ought to animate tho hearts
Of all true men, let the appeal sink deep
into your mind to the end that shall heed
the call made upon you to encourage an
you would that men should do 10 you, do
ye even so TO them" In conclusion,
beseech you 10 fall in line with the ex-
slave association. ] trust that when tho
ages shall have rolled away and the his
torian shall take UP his pen to write. he
may be able TO chronicle the fact that
justice has been done the ex-slaves. II
should be able to see this accomplished
the desire OF my heart and head will be
satlsed