Afled M. Green

Alfred M. Green

The time was the first month of the Civil War and African Americans were not permitted to join the army and fight against "the Southern oppressors." Alfred M. Green's thought was different. He delivered a speech in Philadelphia encouraging African Americans to prepare to join the Union Army. To do so, he dealt with emotions of African Americans to persuade them by telling them they are a part of the country as human and as believers of God and that they can make the unfair treatment of African Americans in the North and the South go away.

Green knew African Americans' patriotism to the country, so he by using emotions he tried to convince them to join the Union forces. Green understood African Americans' desire for freedom, civil and religious toleration, and love from their country. So he asked African Americans to forgive the country for what it had done to them. He did not specifically say "forgive" in the speech but he stated, "My country, right or wrong, I love thee still!" He tried to persuade African Americans by saying that even though the country wronged them, it was still the country they love, giving them reason to enlist. Green also talked about deeds of the Forefathers and how they sacrificed their lives to start the country. Although the Forefathers were white, because they created the country, African Americans were able to settle in America and become a part of society. So by mentioning the "immortal Washington of Revolution of 1776" and "Jackson and others in the War of 1812," Green hoped African Americans' patriotism would cause them to join the army. Moreover, he told them that they are under the protection of God, who wants them to join the army to fight for their country. Green declared, "Let us, then, take up the sword, trusting in God," in order to have African Americans believe God could protect them when they take up the sword for their country.

Using African Americans' emotions about their unfair lives, Green brought up to them that the unfairness in both the North and South of America they been suffering through could be changed by themselves. He pointed out the unfair laws created for African Americans but advised them that these laws could be forgotten if they unified with the army would therefore be honored for their achievements. This could affect the African Americans to join the army because they can stop being judged by whites. Green pointed out that if African Americans do not enroll in the army and if the South wins, their "oppressed brethren" will be more miserable under the rules of the South. According to the text, the Southern leaders desire to get rid of "civil and religious freedom," gain "more slave territory" and enact a "stronger tyrant system." Green tried to tell them that if these happen there is going to be