The Colored People and the Fourth of July, 1870, p. 3

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Title

The Colored People and the Fourth of July, 1870, p. 3

Description

"MR. EDITOR,--If I were inimical to the social advancement of the colored people of this city, I would be content to let their extraordinary action on the Fourth of July pass by without a word of comment; but being deeply concerned for their future, and alive to every consideration concerning their political progress. I ask a space in your columns to briefly discuss the causes which nearly rendered the magnificent celebration, so far as the colored people are concerned, a failure.
For the first time during the colored man's sojourn on this coast, they were solicited in common with other citizens to celebrate the National Birthday. To me this is invitation was doubly significant, from the fact that two colored men were honored with positions on the General Committee of two hundred citizens of all political complexions-thus virtually admitting that one half of the committee, representing a large and powerful political element heretofore hostile to the colored man's recognition, were prepared to meet them half way and conceding a right for which this race had long contended. To my mind this was an important point grained-because it is our opponent's we must convince and convert to the great ideas of Equality.
Now, without stopping to examine the representative characters of the two colored men appointed upon that Committee, it was sufficient to know that they were colored men, and identified with all the interest of the colored people; thus it also appears the two Military Companies and the Young Men's Union Beneficial Society thought-because they empowered their officers to accept of the Grand Marshal's invitation; and from the moment that acceptance was indicated each organization was bound to the contract; but upon the eve of the celebration when these men comprising those companies and the Benevolent Society, which has done so much good among the suffering, and for which they have justly earned a high reputation, we see them become disaffected through the snares of a few ambitious men who are determined to rule or ruin-and may I not enquire of the members of these different organizations: Are you aware of the degredation in which your action has involved your President, your Captains, and the Other officers who acted in your behalf? I will answer that the no-attendance of the Young Men's Union Beneficial Society and the two Military Companies have compromised their dignity and disgraced their heretofore proud reputations, because colored men must know they are just in their incipient condition, passing from slavery and prejudice into freedom and manhood, and every manifestation upon their part showing the want of a proper appreciation of the rights conferred upon them will not only disgust their well tried friends, but embolden and gratify their enemies.
The causes which prevented the colored American's from giving a renewed proof of their loyalty and fidelity to the great institutions of Republicanism, was the work of a few who are now rioting in their people's disgrace. It was first, that the two men on the General Committee of the two hundred did not represent them; some discontented spirits demanded a choice in the selection of a Marshal for our Division; not but that the admirable selection made by General Cazneau was acceptable to the majority, but certain officious parties wished to be consulted. Finding they could make no point on that issue, they raised another. The third objection which these "sore heads" made was the colored Military Companies should go with the white, a if all the voluntary military companies are not compelled to go where ordered.
Finally, the colored people became demoralized because they constituted in the programme the rear of the procession, which, in military order, is one-of the most honorable and responsible.
Since the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment, many of the colored people, under the teachings of ignorant and designing men, miscalculate their privileges among the whites. The adoption of the great addition to the Constitution of the United States only make black men equals at the ballot-box; it does not invade any old customs between the two races, more than we create [illegible] identity of the interest; and when the colored [race] can become the owners of landed property, steamships, railroads, warehouses, and guide every art-mechanical, industrial and scientific, and develop their political power, so as to make white men feel and respect their influence, then, and not until then, can they dictate their social relations. But so long as they remain in their present abject and comparatively ignorant condition, they need hope for no change; and it is the grossest evidence of the ignorance to hear people on the condition the [colored] race are here to-day, clamoring for equality, which they are hardly ready to receive.
The meagre number of colored men who turned out on the Fourth of July,after the opposition made to the same class all through the State, is a strong argument that the would-be leaders here don't know what they want; and we trust a discriminating public opinion will be able to discern the lines of distinction between the intelligent and the ignorant portion of the colored people.
Yours, W.H.H."

Creator

W.H.H.

Publisher

San Francisco Elevator

Date

1870-7-8

Collection

Citation

W.H.H., “The Colored People and the Fourth of July, 1870, p. 3,” African American Fourth of July, accessed March 29, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/461.