Negroes Rising

The black community in Alexandria are standing their ground trying to hold onto their constiutional rights. They have declared "not to cooperate or vote with any party of white men...unless we shall have assurance from the party that in the distribution of official positions the claims of the colored people be regarded equal to that or those of our white brethren."

Negroes Rising. - The Alexandria darkies have resolved as follows : " Whereas we hold the balance of power between the great political parties in this State, it is our duty to ourselves and posterity to take a stand in maintaining our political rights. "We, the undersigned, do pledge ourselves not to cooperate or vote with any party of white men, be they called Republicans or Democrats, unless we shall have assurance from the party that in the distribution of official positions the claims of the colored people be regarded equal to that or to those of our white brethren, due regard being had at all times to fitness and qualification.

“Negroes Rising,” Reconstructing Virginia, accessed March 30, 2023, https://reconstructingvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1313.