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What’s de use of being free,” said one, an old man of sixty, who was begging permission to plant cotton; “What’s de use of being free if you don’t own land enough to be buried in?
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Whitelaw Reid
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gutenberg.orgWhitelaw Reid: “What’s de use of being free,” said one, an old man of sixty, who was begging permission to plant cotton; “What’s de use…”
Editor's note · Context
This quote reflects the sentiments of a freedman expressing the importance of land ownership for true freedom.
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In this way they will surely overcome unjust hostility, and convince even the most prejudiced that the denial to them of any right which citizens may properly exercise is equally unwise and wrong.
Our national experience has demonstrated that public order reposes most securely on the broad base of universal suffrage.
Ordinarily the simple performance of duty is so blessed of God, that men who live in the doing of it, are the best off, in all respects, even in this world.
And it is both natural and right that colored Americans, entitled to the rights of citizens, should claim their exercise.