Page:A Chapter on Slavery.djvu/110

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96
A CHAPTER ON SLAVERY.

moral and physical, of themselves and their children — if, in a word, they would become truly freemen, not only legally, but civilly and socially, they must separate themselves from the whites, and go where they will be in a community of their own color and kin, and where they Will be on perfectly equal terms with all around them. It requires but little thought to show them this: in fact, they know it already and feel it. The nobler-spirited of them feel deeply their state of humiliation, and the more intelligent of them to perceive the only remedy for it. Africa, the home of their fathers, calls to them across the sea, and spreads her arms to welcome them. Here, she says, is all you wish; here is a home, freedom, and happiness. Here the colored man is in dignity and in power. Here are no whites to frown upon ‘you, to pass you by with disregard, to oppress or disturb you. Here you may be not only a voter, an elector, but also yourself eligible to the highest offices. Here you may be a member of the Legislature, a Judge, the Vice-President, the President himself, if you but possess the capacity and fitness. All places of honor and trust are open to you. All the professions, too, are free to you: here, the lawyer, the physician, the clergyman are all colored men, like yourselves, yet loved, esteemed, and honored, looked up to for counsel and instruction, in all concerns, whether affecting the body or the soul, whether temporal or eternal Here, too, the avenues to wealth are all open. The merchant, the ship-owner, the land-holder, are here all men of color, yet possessing weight and influence in the community — gentlemen, respectable, and respected by all Here every-