Record Data
Source citation
"Alabama," The American Cyclopedia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1865 ... (New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1869), 20.
Type
Miscellaneous
Date Certainty
Exact
Transcriber
John Osborne, Dickinson College
Transcription date
Transcription
The following text is presented here in complete form, as it originally appeared in print. Spelling and typographical errors have been preserved as in the original.
Whereas, Under the providence of a gracious God, the colored people of the United States are permitted to enjoy the inestimable boon of liberty, and now have the privilege of demonstrating what they can do as a people; and
Whereon, The unprecedented privilege is now granted us of peaceably assembling in convention in this city of Mobile, and conferring and deliberating upon matters involving our common interests; therefore
Resolved, That we shall ever inculcate the truth that our freedom is the gift of God, and that we are under the highest obligations to Him so to improve our new privilege as that His gift shall not be in vain.
Resolved, That we shall labor to foster in the htarts of our people sentiments of peace, friendship, and good will toward all men—especially toward our white fellow-citizens, among whom our lot is cost: and while we would relinquish none of the rights of our common manhood, we will studiously, according to our best knowledge and ability, so conduct ourselves as to be profitable to them and to ourselves.
Resolved, That we know and admit the fact, that labor, faithfully and judiciously performed, is the only just foundation of wealth, and that it will continue to be our purpose and effort to work industriously and honestly for the support of our families and the prosperity of the community in which we live.
Resolved, That we will perform faithful labor for every man who will pay us just wages; nor do we either expect or desire to receive any man's property without giving him a just equivalent.
Resolved, That we feel that our new condition of freedom not only presents new motives to industry, but also imposes new obligations upon us to cultivate all the virtues of good citizenship, and that, therefore, it is our purpose to fulfil all the duties of our new positions according to tho ability which God has given us.
Resolved, That we recognize civil government as an ordinance of God, and that it shall be a matter of conscience with us to obey the laws, and to discountenance in every way all violation and all contemplated violation of law.
Resolved, That the assertion made in certain quarters, that there is a plot among our people to rise in insurrection, is utterly without foundation, inconsistent with our history as a people, and the farthest from our desires and possible intentions.
Resolved, That we feel in our hearts the glow of gratitude and the purpose of unfaltering fidelity to the Government of the United States, and shall ever regard as pledged to its support our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
Resolved, That we regard the education of our children and youth as vital to the preservation of our liberties, and true religion as the foundation of all real virtue, and shall use our utmost endeavors to promote these blessings in our common country.