country.  And even now, the existence of the white man, South, depends entirely on the labor of the black man—­the idleness of the one, is sustained by the industry of the other.  Public roads and highways are the result of their labor, as are also the first public works, as wharves, docks, forts, and all such improvements.  Are not these legitimate investments in the common stock of the nation, which should command a proportionate interest?

We shall next proceed to review the contributions of colored men to other departments of the nation, and as among the most notorious and historical, we refer to colored American warriors.

VIII

COLORED AMERICAN WARRIORS

Among the highest claims that an inhabitant has upon his country, is that of serving in its cause, and assisting to fight its battles.  There is no responsibility attended with more personal hazard, and consequently, none for which the country owes a greater debt of gratitude. Amor patria, or love of country, is the first requisition and highest attribute of every citizen; and he who voluntarily ventures his own safety for that of his country, is a patriot of the purest character.

When the country’s attention is arrested—­her fears aroused—­her peace disturbed, and her independence endangered—­when in the dread and momentous hour, the tap of the drum, the roll of the reveille, the shrill sound of the bugler’s trumpet, or the thunders of the cannon’s roar, summons the warrior on to the pending conflict—­upon whom then do the citizens place their dependence, and in whom the country her trust?  Upon him who braves the consequences, and fights his country’s battles for his country’s sake.  Upon whom does the country look, as the most eligible of her favored sons?  Upon none more so than he, who shoulders his musket, girds on his sword, and faces the enemy on to the charge.  The hero and the warrior, have long been estimated, the favorite sons of a favored people.

In the Convention for the formation of the national compact, when the question arose on the priority of citizen’s rights, an honorable member—­Mr. Jefferson, if we mistake not—­arose and stated, that for the purpose of henceforward settling a question of such moment to the American people, that nativity of birth, and the descendants of all who had borne arms in their country’s struggle for liberty, should be always entitled to all the rights and privileges to which an American citizen could be eligible.  This at once, enfranchised the native citizen, and the posterity of all those at the time, who may have been so fortunate as to have been born on the American continent.  The question was at once settled, as regards American citizenship.  And if we establish our right of equal claims to citizenship with other American people, we shall have done all that is desirable in this view of our position in the country.