October 13, 1865
On the masthead, in the upper right corner of this edition, is an extract from an unpublished letter from Lincoln to General Wadsworth. Lincoln here speaks of universal suffrage, “or, at least, suffrage on the basis of intelligence and military service.” ….
September 22, 1865
The editor calls attention to an article from The Nation, and speeches by Charles Sumner and Gerrit Smith, which appear in this edition. Comments on Smith’s speech include a reference to his recognition that the country is in a critical time, and that he seems “somewhat despondent”. Recognizing the difficulties and the need for vigilance, the editor says, “yet we believe in the sure triumph of liberty and justice in the end, the universal establishment of free institutions, and the constant advancement of the cause of our colored countrymen, in spite of whatever is adverse to this grand result. There’s no such word as fail - and we are not sorry that we are “old abolitionists”!
September 8, 1865
The men of the Regiment have been paid, received their final pay, and been received back in Boston. Their ship docked at Commercial Wharf, and the route of their parade is recorded. Gov. Andrew and the Executive Council received the marching salute at the State House, and General Hallowell bade the men good bye, wishing them success and well being.
September 1, 1865
There is a brief article from a correspondent of the Philadelphia Christian Reader, commenting “that the colored citizens are making commendable progress in commercial, moral, social, religious and intellectual development” There is a complaint that steamers between Charleston and New York do not offer “respectable accommodations” for colored people, and a call for a newspaper which should be edited by a colored person.
August 18, 1865
Here is a condensed abstract of the provisions in the Constitutions of the slave states, in force immediately prior to secession, so far as they bear on the question of the right of suffrage. “It will be seen that no two of them entirely agree in any other respect than that of excluding minors, blacks, and females from voting.” The states included are Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, and Texas.
August 4, 1865
Here there is a letter from Major General James Wilson, in which he indicates that Maria Smith, the mother of Ellen Craft, is now living with colored friends close to his headquarters, in Macon, GA. He has shown her a letter Garrison wrote to her. She is delighted to hear from Ellen, and is hopeful of raising travel expenses so that she might join her in England.
August 4, 1865
Here is an extract “from the able and well-reasoned Address of the Republican State Committee to the People of Massachusetts”. The closing paragraph includes: “..we are confident that a wise and humane policy will do what can be done in the future to protect the colored loyalists from the spirit of hatred and oppression…..” the statement goes on to comment on “the necessity of doing justice to this people, and of placing in their hands the power to protect themselves, to secure their own rights, and redress their own wrongs. To this complexion must it come at last….”
July 21, 1865
Writing from Wayland, Child assures readers that people in the little town are “not so far behind the world’s ways as you may think”. She tells of a recent event on the 4th of July, when returning soldiers were greeted by an appropriate gathering. She also encourages suffrage: “I am surprised as well as pleased to find how; many minds see the necessity of negro suffrage; for I am more and more strongly impressed with the idea that it is the only way to save the Republic…”
A meeting was held at Mr. Grime’s Church, Southac Street, at which colored citizens advocate for negro suffrage.
July 21, 1865
A brief notice indicating that these two colored regiments are soon to be mustered out of the U. S. service, “and may soon be expected home”.
July 7, 1865
The article commends the work by Miss Emma Stebbins, indicates that much of the funds for it were collected from children, teachers, people in “the humbler walks of life.” The address on the occasion was by the Chairman of the Committee, Samuel G. Howe.