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If any single event may be said to have triggered the Negro revolt, it is
the publication of David Walker's Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the
World in September, 1829. The slave-holding South saw in it only
incitement to servile rebellion, and went to fantastic lengths to suppress
it. Even in the North, where slavery was generally opposed in principle,
moderates insisted that the time for abolition had not yet come and agreed
that the pamplet was inappropriate and incendiary.
From the INTRODUCTION by Charles M. Wiltse |
When we take a retrospective view of the arts and sciences—the wise
legislators—the Pyramids, and other magnificient buildings—the
turning of the channels of the river Nile, by the sons of Africa or of Ham,
among whom learning originated, and was carried thence into Greece, where
it was improved upon and refined. Thence among the Romans, and all over
the then enlightened parts of the world, and it has been enligtening the
dark and benighted minds of men from then, down to this day. I say, when I
view retrospectively, the renown of that once mighty people , the children
of our great progenitor I am indeed cheered. Yea further, when I view that
mighty son of Africa, Hannibal, one of the greatest generals of antiquity,
who defeated and cut off so many thousands of the white Romans or murderers.
and who carried his victorious arms, to the very gate of Rome, and I give it
as my candid opinion, that had Carthage been well united and had given him
good support, he would have carried that cruel and barbarous city by storm.
But they were dis-united, as the coloured people are now, in the United
States of America, the reason our natural enemies are enabled to keep their
feet on our throats.
...
Ignorance and treachery one against the other—a grovelling servile and abject submission to the lash of tyrants, we see plainly, my brethren, are not th natural elements of the blacks, as the Americans try to make us believe; ...
Men of colour, who are also of sense, for you particularly is my APPEAL designed. Our more ignorant brethren are not able to penetrate its value. I call uppon you therefore to cast your eyes upon the wretchedness of your brethren, and to do your utmost to enlighten them—go to work and enlighten your brethren!—Let the Lord see you doing what you can to rescue them and yourselves from degradation. ...
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