Shining City Audio, a John Meacham and C-13 original studio.

January 26, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Regiment is authorized.

I'm John Meacham, and this is Reflections of History.

On this date in 1863, the Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, authorized Massachusetts Governor John Albion Andrew

to create regiments that, quote, may include persons of African descent.

It was a vital moment in the story of liberty in America.

Frederick Douglass had long argued for the enlistment of black men under arms.

Douglass once said, I have not thought lightly of the words I am now addressing you.

The counsel I give comes of close observation of the great struggle now in progress

and of the deep conviction that this is your hour and mine.

In good earnest then, and after the best deliberation, I now for the first time during this war feel at liberty to call and counsel you to arms.

On another occasion, Douglass said, from east to west, from north to south, the sky is written all over, now or never.

Liberty won by white men would lose half its luster.

Who would be free themselves must strike the blow, better even die free than to live slaves.

This is the sentiment of every brave colored man amongst us.

Douglass went on, you should enlist because the war for the union, whether men so call it or not, is a war for emancipation.

When times ample curtain shall fall upon our national tragedy, and our hillsides and valleys shall neither redden with the blood nor whiten with the bones of kinsmen and countrymen, who have fallen in the wicked strife.

When grim visaged war has smooth its wrinkled front, and our country shall have regained its normal condition as a leader of nations in the occupation and blessings of peace.

And history shall record the names of heroes and martyrs, who bravely answered the call of patriotism and liberty against traitors, thieves and assassins.

Let it not be said that in the long list of glory composed of men of all nations, there appears the name of no colored man.

And finally, once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters US, let him get an eagle on his button and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pocket, and there is no power on earth or under the earth, which can deny that he has earned the right of citizenship.

In the United States.

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