Description
The Blacks In Our Midst. - - On Friday last we attended a meeting of the “freedmen” of our city and vicinity at the Court House (Platte City, Missouri). A number of speeches were made by both whites and blacks, and the affair passed off “merry as a marriage bell.” This is a good omen.
We confess that we were much pleased with the speeches of the two colored gentlemen who spoke on the occasion; Mr. Douglas of Leavenworth and Louis Overton, the colored schoolteacher of our city. The former is an eloquent and polished speaker and handles the “Queen’s English” in fine style.
The latter, though not so choice in the selection and arrangement of his language, is very logical and pointed. He gave the colored people most excellent advice; urging them to be industrious, frugal, and virtuous. He also very forcibly impressed the necessity of their becoming educated if they wished to gain the respect of the white man. If the colored people will heed this advice, they will be greatly benefited thereby.
We desire now to say a few words to our citizens generally. The colored people are now free. If we wish to make their freedom a benefit to both races, we must advise and counsel the blacks. They may be too much elated by the fact of being “free,” and thus forget the obligations and responsibilities which freedom imposes. They must be given to understand, the freedom is not a license to idleness, but the way to advancement and properly used, and a curse is abused.
It is further our duty to see that those “freed people” are not imposed upon. The domineering spirit which has actuated the “slave driver” must be broken down. There is room enough for each and all at present in our State. Especially must the blacks be protected in their educational privileges, and we tell those who are inclined to interfere with them in this respect, that they will incur the displeasure of the authorities from the Governor down.
(Researcher's note: The "Mr. Douglas" referenced in the article was likely Hezekiah Ford Douglas who was known as a prominent Black abolitionist, orator, and Union Army captain who died in Leavenworth, Kansas, from malaria on November 11, 1865.)Date(s) of Creation
2/3/1865