LETTERS AND DISCUSSIONS ON THE FORMATION OF COLORED REGIMENTS
LETTERS AND DISCUSSIONS
ON THE
Formation of Colored Regiments,
AND THE
DUTY OF THE COLORED PEOPLE
IN REGARD TO THE
GREAT SLAVEHOLDERS’ REBELLION,
IN THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
By ALFRED M. GREEN.
PHILADELPHIA:
RINGWALT & BROWN, STEAM POWER PRINTERS,
111 SOUTH FOURTH STREET,
1862.
At the beginning of the great struggle between the Government ofthe United States and the traitors who lifted their hands against it,I sought the oracles of history for a precedent; and, having easily found it,before uttering a single sentence as to its influence or results upon thegreat question of slavery in America, I carefully scanned and surveyed thewhole question or ground upon which the issue rested. By the fairestrules of comparison and analogy, I found it impossible to separate slaveryextension, or the nationalization of this vilest of evils, from the purpose ofthe arch traitors as their avowed object, and the determination on the part ofslaveholders to exercise unlimited power over their dejected victims of theAfrican race as their leading object and the mainspring of the rebellion.Then, having followed history by the same rules of comparison and analogy,it was not very difficult for me to decide as to our duty. Nor have I everseen anything written, spoken, or performed by the government—itsagents—by my abolition friends and associates—or by the conservativeDemocracy of our land—which has given me occasion to change my opinion.
I have not a doubt at this hour, but that my hopes on the one hand, andmy fears on the other, may both yet be realized. A careful reading of thefollowing pages will clearly develop in what these hopes and fears consist.My friends, who ask me from time to time what I think of the presentaspect of affairs, may learn from these pages that I am still sanguine of thesuccess of our cause as the result. Still, much depends upon our ownexertions as to the character and quality of freedom, suffrage or the enfranchisementthat we may enjoy.
Having written much upon the subject, I have been induced to throwtogether some scraps of arguments offered in reply to the opposition I havemet in regard to my opinions, &c.
The first two articles in this pamphlet may be justly styled the foundationof all discussion upon the questions presented. They were met andopposed by white and colored men, while many others of all parties gave myviews support. After discussing the question through the columns of thePine and Palm with my anti-slavery coadjutors, I met and discussed itbefore the Church Anti-Slavery Society of this city on the second Tuesdayin September, 1861. A short report of said debate appearing in the Anglo-African,drew forth the vigorous discussion through the columns of thatjournal from which the body of this pamphlet is made up.
I have several lectures and a poem on this same subject, entering moreminutely upon the details of the war and its results, which I have delive