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

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 of the 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 the great question of slavery in America, I carefully scanned and surveyed the whole question or ground upon which the issue rested. By the fairest rules of comparison and analogy, I found it impossible to separate slavery extension, or the nationalization of this vilest of evils, from the purpose of the arch traitors as their avowed object, and the determination on the part of slaveholders to exercise unlimited power over their dejected victims of the African 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 ever seen anything written, spoken, or performed by the government—its agents—by my abolition friends and associates—or by the conservative Democracy 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, and my fears on the other, may both yet be realized. A careful reading of the following 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 present aspect of affairs, may learn from these pages that I am still sanguine of the success of our cause as the result. Still, much depends upon our own exertions as to the character and quality of freedom, suffrage or the enfranchisement that we may enjoy.