GENEALOGY EXPRESS

 

Welcome to
Black
History & Genealogy

COLORED PATRIOTS
of the
AMERICAN REVOLUTION,
with sketches of several
DISTINGUISHED COLORED PERSONS:
to which is added a brief survey of the
Condition and Prospects of Colored Americans.
By Wm. C. Nell,
with an introduction by
Harriet Beacher Stowe
Published
Boston:
Published by Robert R. Wallcut
1855.

CONDITION AND PROSPECTS OF COLORED AMERICANS

CHAPTER III.

CONCLUSION

[Page 378]
     FROM the foregoing pages, It will be seen that the various conflicts by sea and land, which have challenged the energies of the United States, have been signalized by the devotion and bravery of colored Americans, despite the persecutions heaped, Olympus high, upon them, by their fellow countrymen.  They have ever proved loyal, and ready to worship or die, if need be, at Freedom's shrine. The amorpatria has always burned vividly on the altar of their hearts.

They love their native land :

"For, O!  there's a magical tie to the land of our home,
 Which the heart cannot break, though the footsteps may roam;
 Be that land where it may, at the line or the pole,
 It still holds the magnet that draws back the soul;
 'T is loved by the free man - 't is loved by the slave,
 'T is dear to the coward - more dear to the brave;
 Ask of any the spot they like best on the earth,
 And they'll answer, with pride,'t is the land of our birth."

     Let it not be inferred, however, that became many colored soldiers were, from the force of circumstances, assigned a subordinate position by themselves during the war, that their more immediate descendants are to remain satisfied with a half-way excellence.  But, like Crispus

[Page 379]
Attucks, leading on Boston citizens to resist tyranny, in 1770, - MAjor Jeffrey, Latham and Freeman, each gallant and brave, — Jordan B. Noble, the drummer of Chalmette Plains, — and the many others, in more or less responsible departments, during their country's trial hour, so, henceforward, in our battle for equality, each should aim to be incorporated with the mass of Americans, — unite, when possible, as affinities may lead, with the various political, literary, benevolent, ecclesiastical, business and social, organizations of the land, and so prove valiant and consistent soldiers in Freedom's army, without arranging ourselves in a colored section.
     There is, however, a historical propriety in setting forth the services of those colored Americans, who, in the "day of small things," have labored earnestly for the welfare of humanity.  If others fail to appreciate the merit of the colored man, let us cherish the deserted shrine.  The names which others neglect should only be the more sacredly our care.  Let us keep them for the hoped-for day of full emancipation, when, in the possession of all our rights, and redeemed from the long night of ignorance that has rested over us, we may recall them to memory, recollecting, with gratitude, that the stars which shone in our horizon have ushered in a glorious dawn.
     The light which radiated from the prison-cell of WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON, in Baltimore, is yet diffusing itself over the land.  The past, present and future agitation of the slavery question in these United States owes itself to that

[Page 380]
man, and the hour when he nobly dedicated his life to the emancipation of the slave, and the elevation of the nominally free colored Americans.
     "I Can Wait," were the memorable words of John Q. Adams, when his mouth was gagged on the floor of Congress.  The world will bear witness, that we have waited; and, O! how patiently! We have learned

"How sublime a thing it is
To suffer and be strong;"

but, though familiar with, we shall never grow reconciled to, the treatment: -

          "Our hearts, through ofttimes made to bleed,
           Will gush afresh at every wound.

     The Revolution of 1776, and the subsequent struggles in our nation's history, aided, in honorable proportion, by colored Americans, have (sad, but true, confession) yet left the necessity for a second revolution, no less sublime than that of regenerating public sentiment in favor of Universal Brotherhood.  To this glorious consummation, all, of every complexion, sect, sex and condition, can add their mite, and so nourish the tree of liberty, that all may be enabled to pluck fruit from its bending branches; and, in that degree to which colored Americans may labor to hasten the day, they will prove valid their claim to the title, "Patriots of the Second Revolution."
     The Anti-Slavery war waged for the last twenty-five

[Page 381]
years has indeed been prolific in noble words and deeds, and is remarkable for the succession of victories, always the reward of the faithful and persevering.  To compare the present with the past — those dark hours when the bugle blast was first sounded among the hills and valleys of New England, — we can hardly believe the evidence daily presented of the onward progress of those mighty principles then proclaimed to the American nation.  The treatment of the colored man in this country is a legitimate illustration of "hating those whom we have injured," and brings to my recollection that chapter in Waverly where Fergus MacIvar replies to his friend, when being led to execution — "You see the compliment they pay to our Highland strength and courage.  Here we have lain until our limbs are cramped into palsy, and now they send six soldiers with loaded muskets to prevent our taking the castle by storm."  The analogy is found in the omnipotent and omnipresent influence of American pro-slavery in crushing every noble and praiseworthy aspiration of the persecuted colored man.  As in nature, the smiles of summer are made sweeter by the frowns of winter, the calm of ocean is made more placid by the tempest that has preceded it, so in this moral battle, these incidental skirmishes will contribute to render the hour of victory indeed a blissful realization.
     So sure as night precedes day, war ends in peace, and winter wakes spring, just so sure will the persevering efforts of Freedom's army be crowned with victory's perennial laurels!

 

< CLICK HERE to RETURN to TABLE of CONTENTS >

.

-----
 

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO
BLACK HISTORY INDEX PAGE

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO
GENEALOGY EXPRESS

GENEALOGY EXPRESS
FREE GENEALOGY RESEARCH is My MISSION

This Webpage has been created by Sharon Wick exclusively for Genealogy Express  ©2008
Submitters retain all copyrights