The Van Buren press., 1869-10-12
The Cslored Mans Friend.

The following excellent article, is from
the pen of that Independent and out
spoken writer, EDWIN BANCROFT, editor
Of the Duval Bluff Journal of late date
in reply to an attack made upon him by
the Little Rock Repnuieen. The RepuJ-
Lean is disposed to cast Bancroft and
ani several others, headlong out of the
republican sanctuary, for the simple rea-
son that they cannot keep up with the
time and variations of the Little Rock
orgaa. The JoWnH is Republican in
politics, and the editor was a soldier in
the federal array, but one who is not dis
posed to be dictated to by the Clique in
and about the capitol, in all things. We
commend the article to the conservative
Republica Is in this part of the State
Tho Democracy have no i'll will against
men like Lieut. Coy. Johnson, or Ban
or ut OF the White Rirer Journal, or I'm
derwood of the Helena Shield, who are
ready to abandon the colorod people and
the government to the very men from
whom we took the State less than eighteen
months smcc-L. Il. Republican,, Sept.
2lst
The above is from the supposed organ
of the Republican party in Arkansas.
We consider it highly complimentary to
ourselves. To have been engaged i'll a
conflict Of four years standing with a.
brave and open enemy on many well
cont ested field, and then to have settled
aLloE, that enemy, and to have earned
their respect and good will, is compH-
m at Of which ne are not inscnsibIc. We
ha ie never yet abandoned any principle
for which we fought during the war; nor
do we intend so to do We have come
to he conclusion that there are some pkite
men in this government who have wrongs
to be redressed aud rights to be respect
cI. For the fawning sycophant, who
cringes to the negro for his vote, and is
willil,., to degrade his own race that he
may retain place and power, we know of
no sphere ofdegradation sufficiently base
for his consignment. We have under
stood the doctrine Of the Republican par
ty to mean equal rights to all men. If
the Republican is willing to falsify this
creed we are not. We are not, and neither
do we desire to he the champion of the
black race. Gray, White and Brooks
are, and are no doubt honest in their in.
tentions, at least they have lived up to
their profession God forbid that we
should attempt to elevate the black race
above the white. God forbid that while
we have strength to earn livelihood by
honest toll, that we should seek to livein
ease and aiiiuence at the expense OF an
overburdened and over taxed people. who
have not the right to vote How many
mon in Office Of the present time are iv-
ing like nabobs on the fat Of the land,
who on the day of the constitutional
election did not have dollar in the
world9 How many in office, who upon
their induction announced that in four
years they would make enough from their
position to emmigrate to more congenial
chimes, if the occasion should require.
How many who have professed to be
friends Of the colored people, who by
their daily walk and conversation have
given the lie to their vain and false pre-
lenses We claim no preference for the
colored people. If we have any it is for
the white race. We might be entitled to
some consideration as friendly to the
blacks should we so claim. We have the
utmost respect for those men who like
t,rsy and White have risen by their own
ability to their present position. Webe-
lievc there is vast difference between
our social relations, but none in our po-
litical equality. Howhas the Republican
lived up to its creed? We are not find
ing fault, but it win not do for men who
fingered the public printing" and other
little jobs, to accuse use of either want
OF honesty or patriotism. We want no
Office. We should like TO know what the
law ofArksnsas is and to see it enforced.
We are for furnishing few, who justly
deserved it, and if for this we are to be
accused of selling ont to the Democracy
any principle we have hitherto advocated,
We win accept the issue, compare records
end see who has been the friend Of the
colored people