Document C Source: Petition from American citizens of African descent to the Union convention of Tennessee assembled in the capitol at Nashville, January 9, 1865. If we are called on to do military duty against the rebel armies in the field, why should we be denied the privilege of voting against rebel citizens at the ballot-box? The latter is as necessary to save the Government as the former. ... The Government has asked the colored man to fight for its preservation and gladly has he done it. It can afford to trust him with a vote as safely as it trusted him with a bayonet.... At present we can have only partial protection from the courts.... If this order of things continue, our people are destined to a malig- nant persecution at the hands of rebels and their former rebellious masters ... because the courts will not receive negro testimony. . . . Is this the fruit of freedom, and the reward of our services in the field?... There have been white traitors in multitudes in Tennessee, but where we ask, is the black traitor?

Document C Source: Petition from American citizens of African descent to the Union convention of Tennessee assembled in the capitol at Nashville, January 9, 1865. If we are called on to do military duty against the rebel armies in the field, why should we be denied the privilege of voting against rebel citizens at the ballot-box? The latter is as necessary to save the Government as the former. ... The Government has asked the colored man to fight for its preservation and gladly has he done it. It can afford to trust him with a vote as safely as it trusted him with a bayonet.... At present we can have only partial protection from the courts.... If this order of things continue, our people are destined to a malig- nant persecution at the hands of rebels and their former rebellious masters ... because the courts will not receive negro testimony. . . . Is this the fruit of freedom, and the reward of our services in the field?... There have been white traitors in multitudes in Tennessee, but where we ask, is the black traitor?