Year: 1873

lFIoU Dhtuu NidAiu EAa.
We have received an important commu-
nlcation from prominent gentleman con-
nected with the cause of the abolition of
slavery in the island of Cuba, and who
honors Us by asking the following ques-
tions. to wit:


In your Judgment, what is the best plan
for the cOlored men to unite upon TO bring
their influence to bear, as mass, upon the
all important subject of urging our govern
ment to accord belligerent rights to the
Cuban patriots, and would you consent, to
give us your valuable assistance in carrying
out any feasible plan having tor its objects
this desired end p


Our esteemed correspondent and CO.
labOrer has submitted to us a somewhat
difficult problem TO solve; but as we have
had under consideration for some time the
Importance of a concentrated movement
on the part OF the colored men in this direc-
ton. and the undOubtfd good il would
nave. we think that the time and Opportu-
nifty has arrived for presenting it for the
consideration OF the friends OF liberty, the
world over.


1t is our belief that the colored men of
tae l Cnited States should be to our Cuban
brethren what the Abolitionists of the North
were to the American slave. Having be-
come free and independent, the Abolition
lists OF the North believed that every human
being should be free, and they went to
work and agitated the question of the abol-
ton OF American slavery, and the present
status OF ,he cOlored people is the powerful,
Incontrovertibie argument in favor of their
humane efforts.


1t becomes the duty of the cOlored men
OF America to follow the glorious and sue
cesstul example set by our friends, and
take up the cause of our brethren in Cuba.
and agitate the question of the abolition OF
a. ynt ly- in, f1,,ha h,,x -
exists on Gods foOtstoOl. Having. through
the lnstrumentality of these lovers of lib
erty, protected and sustained by an over
ruling Providence. accomplished our lib.
ecty, become free and equal before the law,
surely we would be unworthy of this great
boon if we refuse or neglect to use our time,
energies and influence in the cause of our
unfortunate brethren in other parts of the
world.


As for the best means to reach our people
and through them make one grand unmis-
taxable. appeal to our government, we
know of no better plan than that of holding
a convention.


This convention should be held in New
Orleans. and for the express purpose of
considering the best means of lawfully ex-
tending the blessings of republican free
dom, to all persons of color now held in
slavery upon the American continent or





This convention, to accomplish its high
mission, and bring every available inhu-
ence to bear upon this subject, should be
composed Of


First Representatives of the colored
race from every State of the Union.


Second-Of deputies of color from any
country specified above in which the col
ored race may be held in slavery.


Such a convention, composed, as it would
|, - ,totIy 1nln Il ,f
fercnt parts of the American continent,
should organize national and international
cooperation Of all interests concerned in
the objects of the cOnvention-tirst, by in
vOking the aid of orr own and all other
governments, of the public press, and emf
nent patriots favorable to human freedom;
second, it should ask the exercise OF just
influence in favor OF that cause by the fol-
lowing and kindred measures:


To recognize in all civilized people the
rights OF belIigerent resistance to a govern
ment. in the opinion of such people Op-
pressive such recognition to depend on the
rules of discretion laid down by national
law.


To close out the African slave trade on
the continent of America and its adjacent
islands by closing, as far as may be pos
s!ble, all American markets for the sale OF
slaves.


To strengthen and substantiate the inhu-
ence of freedom by an intimate commercial
intercourse between the United States and
all countries on this continent in which the
institution or sentiment of human bondage
exists, and for that purpose to send to all
such countries ministers and consuls prop
erly indo ctrinated with the principles and
policy of continental freedom Such a CON
vention, acting upon these important sub
jeets. deliberately, intelligently and harmo-
niously, would surely bring to its aid the
wealthy commercial men of the South, who
could be induced to lend their aid and in
huence to this convention on purely COM
mercial grounds. We could pursue this
subject much further did time or space per
NIT, bat we shall defer our remarks for the
present ard in our next we shall view the
influence of such convention from com
mercial standpoint.