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Authors: John David Smith
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citizens, Executive Board of the Colored Union Leagues of this city, respectfully ask your attention to the subject of Reconstruction in this State, and for a few plain directions in relation to a proper stand for us to make.
We forward also a copy of the
Herald
, containing an article on Reconstruction, which causes us much anxiety, in connection with other facts that are constantly pressed upon our attention in this Rebel State, although much is said concerning its loyalty that is unreliable and untrue. Many of us have done service for the United States Government, at Fort Fisher and elsewhere, and we shrink with horror at the thought that we may be left to the tender mercies of our former Rebel masters, who have taken the oath, but are filled with malice, and swear vengeance against us as soon as the military are withdrawn.
We are loyal colored citizens, and strive in all things so to conduct ourselves that no just cause of complaint may exist, although we suffer much from the unwillingness of the Secessionists to regard us as
freemen
, and look up to the flag of our country with trembling anxiety, knowing that the
franchise
alone can give us security for the future.
We speak with moderation and care, we lay no charges, but we fear that an ill-judged lenity to Rebels in this State will leave little to us and our children but the bare name of freedmen. We remember Louisiana! Better âsmash the eggâ than permit it to produce a viper.
We beg an early answer. Direct, simply, âAlfred Howe, Wilmington, North Carolina.â Do not frank your letter: I send a stamp. For reference,
Â
Jonathan C. Gibbs mentions the name of Rev. H. H. Garnett, a colored Presbyterian minister in Washington, and Hon. Judge Kelley, from Pennsylvania.
Alfred Howe,
President.
D. Sadgenar, Owen Burney,
H. D. Sampson, Henry Taylor,
Jonathan C. Gibbs, Richard Reed.
Â
W ASHINGTON , May 13, 1865.
GENTLEMEN,âI am glad that the colored citizens of North Carolina are ready to take part in the organization of government. It is unquestionably their right and duty.
I see little chance of peace or tranquillity in any Rebel State, unless the rights of all are recognized without distinction of color. On this foundation we must build.
The article on Reconstruction to which you call my attention proceeds on the idea, born of Slavery, that persons with a white skin are the only âcitizens.â This is a mistake.
As you do me the honor to ask me the proper stand for you to make, I have no hesitation in replying that you must insist on all the rights and privileges of a citizen. They belong to you. They are yours; and whoever undertakes to rob you of them is a usurper and impostor.
Of course you will take part in any primary meetings for political organization, open to citizens generally, and will not miss any opportunity to show your loyalty and fidelity.
Accept my best wishes, and believe me, Gentlemen,
Faithfully yours,
C HARLES S UMNER .
A NDREW J OHNSON, â P ROCLAMATION E STABLISHING G OVERNMENT FOR N ORTH C AROLINAâ
(May 29, 1865)
President Andrew Johnson launched his Reconstruction program on May 29, 1865, with two proclamations, one delineating his presidential pardon program and the other detailing the steps that former Confederate states needed to take to rejoin the Union. Johnsonâs North Carolina proclamation served as a model for his overall policy. He soon after issued similar documents for Mississippi, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida. In the North Carolina case, Johnson empowered Provisional Governor William W. Holden to reorganize county governments and summon a constitutional convention on the basis of white suffrage that declared slavery illegal, repudiated North Carolinaâs Confederate debt, and repealed the stateâs secession ordinance. White Southerners responded by forming conservative state legislatures, passing repressive Black Codes, and electing former
We forward also a copy of the
Herald
, containing an article on Reconstruction, which causes us much anxiety, in connection with other facts that are constantly pressed upon our attention in this Rebel State, although much is said concerning its loyalty that is unreliable and untrue. Many of us have done service for the United States Government, at Fort Fisher and elsewhere, and we shrink with horror at the thought that we may be left to the tender mercies of our former Rebel masters, who have taken the oath, but are filled with malice, and swear vengeance against us as soon as the military are withdrawn.
We are loyal colored citizens, and strive in all things so to conduct ourselves that no just cause of complaint may exist, although we suffer much from the unwillingness of the Secessionists to regard us as
freemen
, and look up to the flag of our country with trembling anxiety, knowing that the
franchise
alone can give us security for the future.
We speak with moderation and care, we lay no charges, but we fear that an ill-judged lenity to Rebels in this State will leave little to us and our children but the bare name of freedmen. We remember Louisiana! Better âsmash the eggâ than permit it to produce a viper.
We beg an early answer. Direct, simply, âAlfred Howe, Wilmington, North Carolina.â Do not frank your letter: I send a stamp. For reference,
Â
Jonathan C. Gibbs mentions the name of Rev. H. H. Garnett, a colored Presbyterian minister in Washington, and Hon. Judge Kelley, from Pennsylvania.
Alfred Howe,
President.
D. Sadgenar, Owen Burney,
H. D. Sampson, Henry Taylor,
Jonathan C. Gibbs, Richard Reed.
Â
W ASHINGTON , May 13, 1865.
GENTLEMEN,âI am glad that the colored citizens of North Carolina are ready to take part in the organization of government. It is unquestionably their right and duty.
I see little chance of peace or tranquillity in any Rebel State, unless the rights of all are recognized without distinction of color. On this foundation we must build.
The article on Reconstruction to which you call my attention proceeds on the idea, born of Slavery, that persons with a white skin are the only âcitizens.â This is a mistake.
As you do me the honor to ask me the proper stand for you to make, I have no hesitation in replying that you must insist on all the rights and privileges of a citizen. They belong to you. They are yours; and whoever undertakes to rob you of them is a usurper and impostor.
Of course you will take part in any primary meetings for political organization, open to citizens generally, and will not miss any opportunity to show your loyalty and fidelity.
Accept my best wishes, and believe me, Gentlemen,
Faithfully yours,
C HARLES S UMNER .
A NDREW J OHNSON, â P ROCLAMATION E STABLISHING G OVERNMENT FOR N ORTH C AROLINAâ
(May 29, 1865)
President Andrew Johnson launched his Reconstruction program on May 29, 1865, with two proclamations, one delineating his presidential pardon program and the other detailing the steps that former Confederate states needed to take to rejoin the Union. Johnsonâs North Carolina proclamation served as a model for his overall policy. He soon after issued similar documents for Mississippi, Georgia, Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida. In the North Carolina case, Johnson empowered Provisional Governor William W. Holden to reorganize county governments and summon a constitutional convention on the basis of white suffrage that declared slavery illegal, repudiated North Carolinaâs Confederate debt, and repealed the stateâs secession ordinance. White Southerners responded by forming conservative state legislatures, passing repressive Black Codes, and electing former
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