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History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens — John Shaqi

History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as CitizensWilliams, George Washington

History

History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens

Name: History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens
Author: Williams, George Washington

Williams, George Washington

African Americans -- History; Liberia; Sierra Leone

"I determined, at every hazard, to lift up the standard of
     emancipation in the eyes of the nation, within sight of Bunker
     Hill, and in the birthplace of liberty. That standard is now
     unfurled; and long may it float, unhurt by the spoliations of
     time or the missiles of a desperate foe; yea, till every chain be
     broken, and every bondman set free! Let Southern oppressors
     tremble; let their secret abettors tremble; let all the enemies
     of the persecuted Black tremble. Assenting to the self-evident
     truths maintained in the American Declaration of
     Independence,--'that all men are created equal, and endowed by
     their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are
     life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' I shall strenuously
     contend for the immediate enfranchisement of our slave
     population.

            *       *       *       *       *

     "I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but
     is there not cause for severity? I will be as harsh as truth, and
     as uncompromising as justice. On this subject I do not wish to
     think, or speak, or write with moderation. No! No! Tell a man
     whose house is on fire to give a moderate alarm; tell him to
     moderately rescue his wife from the hands of the ravisher; tell
     the mother to gradually extricate her babe from the fire into
     which it has fallen; but urge me not to use moderation in a cause
     like the present! I am in earnest. I will not equivocate--I will
     not excuse--I will not retreat a single inch. AND I WILL BE
     HEARD. The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue
     leap from its pedestal, and to hasten the resurrection of the
     dead.

     "It is pretended that I am retarding the cause of emancipation by
     the coarseness of my invective and the precipitancy of my
     measures. The charge is not true. On this question, my influence,
     humble as it is, is felt at this moment to a considerable extent;
     and it shall be felt in coming years--not perniciously, but
     beneficially,--not as a curse, but as a blessing; and POSTERITY
     WILL BEAR TESTIMONY THAT I WAS RIGHT. I desire to thank God that
     He enables me to disregard 'the fear of man which bringeth a
     snare,' and to speak truth in its simplicity and power; and I
     here close with this dedication:

            *       *       *       *       *

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

History of the Negro Race in America from 1619 to 1880. Vol. 2: Negroes as Slaves, as Soldiers, and as Citizens

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