free to “help yourselves”

Posted on September 2, 2015 by SUMPTER

And to help your helpers

Freedman's Aid 9-1-1865 New England Freedman's aid society to the colored people of the South. Letter from Gov. Andrew, of Massachusetts. Fellow-Citizens ... Boston, Mass. Sept. 1, 1865. (LOC: http://www.loc.gov/item/rbpe.07104100/)

(Library of Congress, Rare Book and Special Collections Division)

Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew served as president of the New England Freedmen’s Aid Society from its founding in 1862.

Two African American boys, full-length portrait, facing front] / J. R. Shockley, photographer, West Side of Main St., Hannibal, Mo. (between 1860 and 1865; LOC: http://www.loc.gov/item/2010647915/)

“free to receive help in becoming intelligent citizens”

John A. Andrew statue, State House, Boston, Mass. (between 1900 and 1906; LOC: http://www.loc.gov/item/det1994009464/PP/)

“Liberty means a fair chance … and the opportunity to be and become all that our own faculties and our own good purposes may command.”

Unidentified African American boy standing in front of painted backdrop showing American flag and tents ; campaign button with portraits of Lincoln on one side and Johnson on the opposite side are attached to inside cover of case (between 1861 and 1865; LOC: http://www.loc.gov/item/2010648377/)

emancipation from slavery and from ignorance

Check out the Library of Congress for information about the letter, the statue, two boys, and emancipation
I found Governor Andrew’s letter a bit of a wake-up call for me to be a better steward in this Land of Liberty.
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