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LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS 265

Massachusetts received permission from Mr. Lincoln to raise two colored
regiments, the 54th and 55th, I made the following address to the colored
citizens of the North through my paper, then being published in Rochester,
which was copied in the leading journals:

"MEN OF COLOR, TO ARMS.

"When first the rebel cannon shattered the walls of Sumter and drove
away its starving garrison, I predicted that the war then and there inaugurated
would not be fought out entirely by white men. Every month's experience
during these dreary years has confirmed that opinion. A war undertaken
and brazenly carried on for the perpetual enslavement of colored men, calls
logically and loudly for colored men to help suppress it. Only a moderate
share of sagacity was needed to see that the arm of the slave was the best
defense against the arm of the slaveholder. Hence with every reverse to the
national arms, with every exulting shout of victory raised by the slaveholding
rebels, I have implored the imperiled nation to unchain against her foes,
her powerful black hand. Slowly and reluctantly that appeal is beginning to
be heeded. Stop not now to complain that it was not heeded sooner. It may
or it may not have been best that it should not. This is not the time to discuss
that question. Leave it to the future. When the war is over, the country is
saved, peace is established, and the black man's rights are secured, as they
will be, history with an impartial hand will dispose of that and sundry other
questions. Action! Action! not criticism, is the plain duty of this hour. Words
are now useful only as they stimulate to blows. The oftice of speech now is
only to point out when, where, and how to strike to the best advantage. There
is no time to delay. The tide is at its flood that leads on to fortune. 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. There are weak
and cowardly men in all nations. We have them amongst us. They tell you
this is the 'white man's war'; that you 'will be no better off after than before
the war'; that the getting of you into the army is to 'sacrifice you on the first
opportunity.' Believe them not; cowards themselves, they do not wish to
have their cowardice shamed by your brave example. Leave them to their
timidity, or to whatever motive may hold them back. 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