cs of the breastworks, still stand on or near the
banks of the Schuylkill, as a living monument of the fidelity of the
black race to their State and Country. Mr. Stansberry, is still living,
and Captain Tudas, now quite an old man, about "turning the corner," as
he expresses it, is a very intelligent old gentleman, and a living
history of facts. There are few white men of his age and opportunities,
that equal him at all in intelligence on any subject. He is a kind of
living synoptic-historical Encyclopedia.

IX

CAPACITY OF COLORED MEN AND WOMEN AS CITIZEN MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY

The utility of men in their private capacity as citizens, is of no less
import than that of any other department of the community in which they
live; indeed, the fitness of men for positions in the body politic, can
only be justly measured by their qualification as citizens. And we may
safely venture the declaration, that in the history of the world, there
has never been a nation, that among the oppressed class of
inhabitants--a class entirely ineligible to any political position of
honor, profit or trust--wholly discarded from the recognition of
citizens' rights--not even permitted to carry the mail, nor drive a mail
coach--there never has, in the history of nations, been any people thus
situated, who has made equal progress in attainments with the colored
people of the United States. It would be as unnecessary as it is
impossible, to particularize all the individuals; we shall therefore be
satisfied, with a classification and a few individual cases. Our history
in this country is well known, and quite sufficiently treated on in
these pages already, without the necessity of repetition here; it is
enough to know that by the most cruel acts of injustice and crime, our
forefathers were forced by small numbers, and enslaved in the
country--the great body now to the number of three millions and a half,
still groaning in bondage--that the half million now free, are the
descendants of the few who by various means, are fortunate enough to
gain their liberty from Southern bondage--that no act of general
emancipation has ever taken place, and no chance as yet for a general
rebellion--we say in view of all these facts, we proceed to give a
cursory history of the attainments--the civil, social, business and
professional, and literary attainments of colored men and women, and
challenge comparison with the world--according to circumstances--in
time