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An address to the Loyal Citizens and Congress of the United States of America adopted by a convention of Negroes held in Alexandria, Virginia, from August 2 to 5, 1865
We, the undersigned members of a Convention of colored citizens of the State
of Virginia, would respectfully represent that, although we have been held
as slaves, and denied all recognition as a constituent of your nationality
for almost the entire period of the duration of your Government, and that by
your permission we have been denied either home or country, and deprived of
the dearest rights of human nature: yet when you and our immediate
oppressors met in deadly conflict upon the field of battle -the one to
destroy and the other to save your Government and nationality, we, with
scarce an exception, in our inmost souls espoused your cause, and watched,
and prayed, and waited, and labored for your success.
When the contest waxed long, and the result hung doubtfully, you appealed to
us for help, and how well we answered is written in the rosters of the two
hundred thousand colored troops now enrolled in your service; and as to our
undying devotion to your cause, let the uniform acclamation of escaped
prisoners, "whenever we saw a black face we felt sure of a friend," answer.
Well, the war is over, the rebellion is "put down," and we are declared
free! Four fifths of our enemies are paroled or amnestied, and the other
fifth are being pardoned, and the President has, in his efforts at the
reconstruction of the civil government of the States, late in rebellion,
left us entirely at the mercy of these subjugated but unconverted rebels, in
everything save the privilege of bringing us, our wives and little ones, to
the auction block. . . We know these men-know them well-and we assure you
that, with the majority of them, loyalty is only "lip deep," and that their
professions of loyalty are used as a cover to the cherished design of
getting restored to their former relations with the Federal Government, and
then, by all sorts of "unfriendly legislation," to render the freedom you
have given us more intolerable than the slavery they intended for us.
We warn you in time that our only safety is in keeping them under Governors
of the military persuasion until you have so amended the Federal
Constitution that it will prohibit the States from making any distinction
between citizens on account of race or color. In one word, the only
salvation for us besides the power of the Government, is in the possession
of the ballot. Give us this, and we will protect ourselves. . . But, is
said we are ignorant. Admit it. Yet who denies we know a traitor from a
loyal man, a gentleman from a rowdy, a friend from an enemy? The twelve
thousand colored votes of the State of New York sent Governor Seymour home
and Reuben E. Fenton to Albany. Did not they know who to vote for? . . . All
we ask is an equal chance with the white traitors varnished and japanned
with the oath of amnesty. Can you deny us this and still keep faith with us?.
We are "sheep in the midst of wolves," and nothing but the military arm of
the Government prevents us and all the truly loyal white men from being
driven from the land of our birth. Do not then, we beseech you, give to one
of these "wayward sisters" the rights they abandoned and forfeited when they
rebelled until you have secured our rights by the aforementioned amendment
to the Constitution.
Trusting that you will not be deaf to the appeal herein made, nor unmindful
of the warnings which the malignity of the rebels are constantly giving you,
and that you will rise to the height of being just for the sake of justice,
we remain yours for our flag, our country and humanity.
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