Year: 1870

10 Tie Colored Citizens Of Ohio County,:


The circumstances which occurred on
tue 3Oth ult., during the ceremonies for
the decoration Of the soldiers graves who
fell during the late rebellion, seem 10 de-
mand u statement at our hands. Some
DAYS previous to the ceremonies formal
invitation was extended to the ColOrGd
citizens through their churches and other
wise to attend md participate In the pro-
Ceedings TO be had ON that occasion. In
pursuance Of this invitation, the colOred
citizens Of Wheeling appeared in consid.
Crable numbers ut the intersection Of
Fourth und Monroe streets, to assume
such place MS might be assigned them in
the procession. They were first informed
that their place would be Immediately in
the rear Of the foot procession Of soldiers
and citizens, but when the procession was
formed they were told by Gen. Kelley and
Mr.. Hubbard that their place would be
Immediately in rear of the omnibus and
carriages containing the Mayor and invi-
ted guests, which were Immediately in
the rear OF the foot procession Of citizens
and soldiers. To this they made no ObjcC.
ton, though they regarded it us an I'M.
warantable discrimination but when the
procession mOved'thcy were informed that
they were to fall into tue rear Of all the
carriages in the procession, which probN.
bly, numbered some forty or fifty. At
this they became indignant and refused to
90 into the procession. Some threw away
their flowers and bouquets, and broke up
the ranks. The colorcd citizens were
not tenacious Of II post Of honor, md were
willing TO take any position that might be
assigned them that was not positively
humiliating and designed studied public
insult. They felt it due TO their own self
respect and sense Of propriety not to ac-
cGpt position which exposed them TO
the discomforts Of the dust arising from n
long train OF carriages, and which was
manilcstly assigned them us mark OF
contempt and humiliation.


The colored citizens have no desire to
intrudc to positions where they are not
desired, OrtO seek associations where they
would lC unwelcome. They understand
perfectly well, that they arc under the ban
Of the most intense and deep seated preju-
dice, which can only be overcome by n
life Of industry, economy and upright and
unassmning department; but when they
are invited by their white fellow.Citizcns to
unite with them in public celebrations
and displays, they have the right to eX:
pcct To have tllU common courtGsies and
civilities OF Civilized society extended to
them; and u sense Of seli-rcspcCt and per.
sonal dignity require that they should re.
fuse to participate in such proceedings
upon nnv other times. If it were proper
Tor the Mayor and other invited guests, to
hive u post of honor assigned tllGnl IN the
procession, they might havC been put in
the front Of the entire procession OF the
carriages and other vehicles; but It was
a marked insult TO the colorcd citizens to
divide thorfUOt,proCessiOn, and interpOsC
carriages between them and the other
part oft We do not remember any In
stance in the late rebellion, either ut Port
Gibson or Petersburg, or any where else
wherd the post Of danger wRS the post OF
honor, that any objection was ever made
to the c0lored soldiers taking very honor
able positions. The ColorCd citizens arc
perfectly aware that they owe personal
liberty and their civil and political rights
10 the Republican party, They know
that the Democratic party hNs always
been the most unrclcnting enemy of their
race and color; tor this reason, the colored
citizens upon whom the elective franchise
has been conferred have almost unani'
mously sustained the Republican party
hy their votes. But the Republican party
must not assume that they will continue
to do so in defiance Of any amount OF in.
suit and contumGly that may be heaped
upon them. 1t is possible that they may
bc influenced by considerations that very
frequently operate upon persons OF much
greater intelligence than they make any
prctcnsiOns TO, and regard gratitude "as n
lively sense OF favors 10 come" Although
the ceremonies of the 30th were not OF
partizan character, yet We cannot ignore
the fact that they were mainly under the
control Of men who exercise controlling
influence in the Republican party. We
have been assured, however, by these men
themselves that no disrcspcct was In
tended by them to the ColorGd Citi-
Zens, and by many Others that
they wholly disapprove and condemn the
course pursued. towards them on that Oc-
casion. 1t would therefore be unjust to
the Republican party 10 hold 1t response
bic for the action Of o very few persons,
whose conduct is condemned by the most
respectable and intelligent portion of ctti'
zens of all parties, We would therefore
advise our friends not to act rNshly or
hastily and unite with their known enc.
mics against their friends TO whom they
are indebted for all tho privileges they en-
iov, for q transient and trivial cause OF
complaint. a CoLoRED CITIZEN