The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-05-26

sender sumner - Distst&r.
A few weeks ago certsip "colczpd gen
$tlemen" Il North CarolinawroteAl ettsr
to Senator SUMNER, of Massachusetts,.
asking him to give them some informa-
ton as to the civil rights of the freed
negroes and ga few plain directions con-
corning the proper stand to be taken by
them in the establishment Of the State
government. Mr.. SUMNER wrote the
following letter. in reply soi'aa
WASHINGTON, May IS.
GENTLEMEN: I am CHAD that the cltl-
Gems of North Carolina are ready to take
part in the organization of Government.
It is unouestionabiy their right and duty.
Isee little chance of peace and tran
GUILTY. In any rebel State unless the
rights of all are recognized without dis.
tinction of color. On this foundation
! we must build. ..U
The article from the New York Herdld)
on reconstruction to which you call my
attention, prOceedson the idea o fslayery,
that persons with q white skin are the
only "citizens." This is a mistake.
\ As You do me the honor to ask me the
proper stand for you to make, 1 have no
thesitatiop in replying that yoa mast IN
isist on all the rights and privileges Of a cit-
lien. They belong to you. They are yours;
land auhoerer undertakes to rob you Of Then, IS
ia UsURPER AND AN IMPOSToR. .t " 'oi'
Of course you will take part in any
primary meeting for political organiza-
tion, open to citizens generally, and Will
not miss any opportunity to show your
loyalty and fidelity.
Accept my best wishes, and believe
,ne gentlemen, Faithfully yours,
CHARLES SUMNER.
Tt will be observed that this letter
bears date May 10, less than two weeks
ago and since President JOHNSON has
given unmistakable evidence of his in
t~ention not to recognize negroes as en-
titled to "the rights and privileges of
citizenship" 1t is therefore aimed at him,
and it is President JOHNSON who is de-
nounced as "a usurper and an impostor."
Only a day or two ago it was stated that
the forthcoming Presidential proclama-
ton would deny to the negroes the right
of voting, and now, if the ''coloFed gen
tlemen" of North Carolina follow Mr..
SUMMERS advice they will be compelled
to resist the authority, that attempts to
rob them Of their rights and privileges"
SUMMERS letter connsels insnrrection. -
There is another aspect ST the case
which is equally INDUSTRIOUS SUMNER
undertakes to decide the whole question
as to the civil status of the negroes and
utterly ignores all other authority either
State or Federal. He prOclaims that the
colored people are entitled to all the
rights and privileges Of citizens in North
Carolina, and directs them to exercise
those rights regarding as "a usurper and
an impostor'' whoever should attempt to
interfere with them. SUMNER assumes all
the authority of a Dictator and directs
the negroes to pursue a course in viola
ton of the Constitution of the United
States and the State of North Carolina
and in defiance of the policy of Presi'
dent JOHNSON. The man is so com.
pletely crazed on the subject of negro
equality that he seems to imagine him
self the Autocrat of all America. Would
il not be well to c~ontine him. II while. in
the classmates at Fortress Monroe ?