THE FREEDMEN by Jos. Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 14, 1876

THE FREEDMEN.

By Jos. Clarke

THESE colored people of the Southern States, who were set free from slavery by the proclamation of President Lincoln during the late rebellion, number about three or four millions. The date of the great event by which so many slaves were made free, is January 1, 1863. It is probable that the greatness of this event is little appreciated. It was an act by which millions of people were brought from the darkness and gloom of perpetual servitude into the light of civil liberty, from moral and political bondage into moral and political freedom. Surely this was a great event.

At the time of this act, the nation was startled at the boldness of the movement; and the people were delighted at the prospect of having millions of auxiliaries brought at once into the ranks of our friends, and that, too, from the dark regions so long seared, and blackened, and cursed, by slavery.

Our people have reaped the harvest. The blacks helped us to win the victory. And now what is the reward they are receiving? Why is it that our nation has not set up schools for Freedmen in every town and village in the South? Why is it that good people at the North have not taken this matter in hand? Why is it that our excellent President, General Grant, has not defended their cause? Why is it that every kind of lawlessness is still tolerated at the South?

These questions are easily answered; but one question is not so easily replied to: Why is it that Christians can rest so quietly while their colored brother pines in ignorance and neglect? The day for labor is fast passing away, and shall not the light yet reach the Freedman?

JOS. CLARKE.