“A flag is the emblem of sovereignty -
a symbol and guarantee of protection.
Every nation and people are proud of
the flag of their country. England, for
a thousand years boasts her Red flag
and Cross of St. George; France glories
in her Tri-color and Imperial Eagle; ours
the ‘Star-spangled Banner,’ far more
beautiful than they - this dear old flag! -
the sun in heaven never looked down
on so proud a banner of beauty and glory.
Men of the Black Brigade, rally around it!
Assert your manhood, be loyal to duty,
be obedient, hopeful, patient. Slavery
will soon die; the slaveholders’ rebellion,
accursed of God and man, will shortly
and miserably perish. There will then be,
through all the coming ages, in very truth,
a land of the free - one country, one flag,
one destiny. I charge you, Men of the
Black Brigade of Cincinnati, remember
that for you, and for me, and for your
children, and your children’s children,
there is but one Flag, as there is but
one Bible, and one God, the Father of us all.”
James Lupton,
Acting Camp Commandant
presenting the National flag to The Cincinnati Black Brigade
September 4, 1862
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"What a wonderful revolution.
In 1861 the Southern papers were
full of advertisements for 'slaves,'
but now, despite all the hindrances
and 'race problems,' my people are
striving to attain the full standard of
all other races born in the sight of God,
and in a number of instances have
succeeded. Justice we ask - to be
citizens of these United States, where
so many of our people have shed their
blood with their white comrades, that
the stars and stripes should never be polluted."
Susie King Taylor - 1902 |