The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1869-06-02
Novel Scene at the White House, NE
groes Advising Grant in Regard to the
Distribution of Offices,

Novel Scene at the White House, Ne
groes Advising Grant in Regard to the
Distribution of Offices.
This afternoon the National Execu.
tive Committee of the colored men of
the United States, appointed by the
convention held in Washington in Jan.
uary last, waited on the President to
pay their respects to him and 10 prescn.
70 him an address. signed by George g..
Downing, of Rhode Island, president !;
f, G.. Barbados. of Massachusetts !;
Sella Martin, of New York; VIM j..
Wilson, of New Jersey, and George L..
Matson, Of North Carolina, local com.
mittee. 1t is set forth that they gladly
took advantage of statement published
by trustworthy newspapers of the re-
publican party to seek the interview {;
that the statement was to the effect that
the President intended 20 appoint in the
Northern States to important positions
such colorcd men as could discharge tile
duties with profit and honor to the pub.
lie service. Knowing this reported IN
sention"to be so eminenlly in keeping
with the record Of his administration,
they thought that a few suggestions
made by those familiar with the North
might lend some support to the policy
indicated. Among other things they
say the colored men OF the North have
already furnished such proofs of man
hood as to have left the question of fit
ness For Office ont of the arena of mer.
experiment. They are assured the ap.
Pointment of competent and trustworthy
eolored men to prominent positions in
the Northern States would give death.
blow TO objections to their holding Of
snch positions in The South, by convlnc--
ing the South that it is not true the
North wishes to force policy upon them
which It is not willing to accept itself
If negroes are elected to important
places by The general government in
Rhode Island tho problem of negro
office holding becomes easy of solution
in Georgia. Then, too, they think thai.
It in the Northern States, where ne.
groes are numerically weak, they are
permitted to enjoy some of the honors
of citizenship with their white fellow.
ctizena, their brethren in the South,
where they are numerically strong,
would the more willingly share their
political lmmunities with their white
fellow. citizens, and the whole race
would be strengthened in its patriotism
by the knowledge that The negroes are
no longer regarded. as q separate class
in politics. The address concluded as
follows: w ~.
Our rights as men were recognized by
Mr.. Lincoln, and we are filed with all
gratitude for tho fact, but we come to
you with a feeling OF fellowship, added
to that Of q mere sense Of gratitude. be.
cause you have appointed members OF
our race to important positions, and
thus given q rebuke to Vulgar prejudice
sgaihst class. In this you have gone
far beyond ous late lamented President,
for while, under the necessities 4of war,
he made the nation ours by calling on
ns TO its defence, yod, nhdsf tho calm
Influence ofpeace, have given us to the
nation by lifting our race into the en-.
joyment ofifS i6btauniieslsitst ~
The interview is represented or pleas.
ant, and that the President replied in
;5ctamce thu! the subject involved in