The colored American., 1902-08-30

,;,ion with regard to our colored fell
iayr-citizens and courteOusly commend
tbo manner IN which the subject is pre-
sented.
Nv feelings in the matter are, how
,-ar much more interest than it would,
,orcb more intense than it would,
1arhaDs be we'll to express publicly.
:, carly boyhood, at school in Ohio, l
.1rared intensely from full knowledge
n the horrors of slavery, at that time,
Instances Of infiictiOn of misery upon
raonIe the more keenly alive to suf-
ring because of their innate emotion
sIfsm and kindly and sympathetic dis
rositions. being often brought out.
later as a student in Europe, l was of
ron tainted with the absurdity of call
ing nv beloved country free country,
when serfdom, the ownership in sla-
very of human beings, was there per
mitred. And, finally, on returning
home. I was deeply depressed by the
cprse and blight of this hOrrid pail uD-
IN our fair land, as we'll in the brutal
izing effect of slavery upon the white
man as in the degradation, the sOr-
row and the suffering it entailed upon
the Negro. We thank Almighty God
that this pail of mourning and sorrow
has been lifted. But with its removal
there were certain promises and
hedges. and these should be fulfilled.
We pride ourselves, as Americans, as
being imbued, in the loftiest sense
with Justice and fairness, and l say
wherever the Negro is not shown talr
Dlav. the action is un-American and un-
worthy of an American community. 1t
is like going back to a condition OF al
fairs that prevailed prior to the orderly
change made by the Emperor Rudolph
of Hapsburg, to have it appear that
anywhere in our great, glorious ana
free land, Might is Right, or that what
the Germans call mere Fist Right
should obtain.
The colored people are of a sensitive
and sympathetic nature, manifest, IN
general. in 5entleness and in their mu-
sic and poetry and, I may say, some
times in strange and Wierd fanciful-
ness; but for this very reason, like all
quick and vibrating natures, they can
be impressed by reasoning, attractivelg
presented, and led by great men among
themselves and others, though, like
other people of strong sentiment, they
canOt be driUeR.
There is no excuse for oppression.
What we must have, and what we even
ually shall have, is equal right and
one law for every citizen of the land.
In the wonderful, marvellous prog
ress of the Negro in this country, since
the War, and the dying out OF most OF
the ferociOus brutes, with only the oc-
CaSiOnal appearance of any prominent
new one, | believe that the race preJu-
dice is gradually disappearing, though
in some part of our country the Negro
has, still, no political rights, and the
beginning by him of a civil suit against
white man would be regarded as a
gross liberty, demanding speedy pun
nShment, while in any criminal mat
ter or suggestion, he has no chance
whatever. l would advise every good
cOlOred man, as soon as he perceives a
white woman alone on a road-and the
farther off he sees her the better-to
run away as fast as he can, for, other
wise and should she become frightened
and hysterical, he will be pretty sure to
be barbaTously murdered.
In conclusion, desire to say that l
am very proud of your kind letter.
The letter encourages me, and l assure
you that as long as I live, or as long as
ltmay be necessary, I shall never cease
TO put forth every effort toward insur-
ance in equality of political and legal
night OF all our fellow-citizens.
With personal regard and respect, l
am
Sincerely yours,
Com opda,. in Chief