point where they might well fit an affectionate dog.  He lays claim to no prerogative other than that of a plain citizen of the Republic, trained to the profession of arms.  The measure of his demand—­and it is the demand of ten millions of his fellow-citizens allied to him by race—­is that the full manhood privileges of a soldier be accorded him.  On his record in arms, not excluding his manifest capacity to command, the colored soldier, speaking for the entire body of colored citizens in this country, only demands that the door of the nation’s military training school be freely open to the capable of his race, and the avenue of promotion from the ranks be accessible to his tried efficiency; that no hindrance prevent competent colored men from taking their places as officers as well as soldiers in the nation’s permanent military establishment.

FOOTNOTES: 

[26] Headquarters Department of the Gulf,
     New Orleans, August 22, 1862. 
     General Orders No. 63.

“Whereas, on the 23d day of April, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-one, at a public meeting of the free colored population of the city of New Orleans, a military organization, known as the ‘Native Guards’ (colored), had its existence, which military organization was duly and legally enrolled as a part of the militia of the State, its officers being commissioned by Thomas O. Moore, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the State of Louisiana, in the form following, that is to say: 

     The State of Louisiana. 
     (Seal of the State.)

     By Thomas Overton Moore, Governor of the State of Louisiana,
     and commander-in-chief of the militia thereof.

“’In the name and by the authority of the State of Louisiana:  Know ye that ——­ ——­, having been duly and legally elected captain of the “Native Guards” (colored), first division of the Militia of Louisiana, to serve for the term of the war,

     “’I do hereby appoint and commission him captain as
     aforesaid, to take rank as such, from the 2d day of May,
     eighteen hundred and sixty-one.

“’He is, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of his office by doing and performing all manner of things thereto belonging.  And I do strictly charge and require all officers, non-commissioned officers and privates under his command to be obedient to his orders as captain; and he is to observe and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as he shall receive from me, or the future Governor of the State of Louisiana, or other superior officers, according to the Rules and Articles of War, and in conformity to law.

“’In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be
made patent, and the seal of the State to be hereunto
annexed.

“’Given under my hand, at the city of Baton Rouge, on the
second day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-one.