Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-05-28
Negroes VS.. white Men-Protest Of q
soufh CaroIinfan. sesf5f


| To the Editor of the New York World:
STA: When wrong and injustice have
been effected, aud redress been refused,
there remains that last and powerful re-
sort. the press, to which the sufferer can
appeal. and make the public at once the
Jury and the judge. It's with just such
a case that come, sir, before you, and
ask the use of your columns to apprise
the people Of the United States of q
wanton in6iction and patent ingratitude
BY the Administration.
A negro postmaster has been appointed
for the city of Columbia, South Carolina,
defeating for the effice an ex-Captain OF
the United States army. So stands the
bald fact; but with the following cir
cum stances attached, which me JUDGE
warrant the branding of this appoint
ment as wanton and ungrateful.
The appointee, Chas. Fl. Wilder, is an
ex-slave, scarcely, il at all, able to read
or write q tolerable carpenter, who,
since his manumission has been member
of the Convention, State Representative
and Deputy United States Marshal. 10
these details are condensed his records,
and to it the shining virtue of Republic
can sentiments, and you have the rea-
sons which rendered his appointment i'm
perative in Washington.
ID. A. Moore, the defeated aspirant for
the office, is an ex-captain of the United
States army, entered the service in the
spring of 1861, raising company OF
seventy.five men from his private funds,
which became company B, Of the Sixty
| first New York volunteers commanded
his company through seven pitched bat
ties, and numerous skirmishes and minor
affairs; was wounded and lost leg in
the seven days battle in front of Rich.
mond; remained on the field wounded
for thirteen days, was taken prisoner,
and was confined in the Libby, prison;
afterwards exchanged, and being unfit
for field service was assigned to the
Veteran Reserve Corps, where be served
till mustered out Of service in November,
1866, having served his country with
fidelity for five years, and suffering the
loss of leg in her service. A statement
of these facts were Incorporated in the
application of Captain Moore fer the
Office, an application to which we're ap-
pended the names of nearly all the best
citizens of Columbia. Letters in sup
BORT of his military record and bear
ing upon his personal character were
forwarded, urging his appointment to this
Office, copies of which accompany this
communication-lette as you will see
| from such distinguished and trustworthy
sources as T. &. Eide, Breve, Colonel
Infantry and Assistant Commissioners
Freedmen's Bureau, N. c. and s. c.;
Nelson A. Miles, Brevet Major General
q. s. A.; Robert Murray, United States
Marshal, New York, and others. These
documents Captain Moore filed in the
proper place. and supported By special
com mittee from the citiEens Of Columbia
proffered bis application. Both he and
the committee we're assured By the pri-
vate secretary of the President that they
might return home in security, for to
auote the very words Of the secretary:
the Office should belong TO the soldier
and not to the nssra." And yet, in the
face of this record Of esPtaia Ao1Fs 90
soldier without reproach, as q man
without blemisb, in the face Of this
solemn assurance of the secretary, 49,. ...e
negro bas been appoipied and the manned
and gallant soldier igaorsd.
Mr.. Editor, am o rebel. OF the earth
earthly, and so often have we been treated
to q practical illustration Of the rs rietis,
that the appointment of negro to this
responsible Office seemed to me in perfect
harmony with the policy Of our conquer
ors; but protest, and l sincsrely believe
that am uttering the sentiment of our
entire community, that when ! saw an
ignorant, illiterate negro preferred to
gallant aud meritorious soldier, and he
Endorsed and recommended to q civic
Office Of trust and emolument by bis
former foes, it seemed as if the nations
honor were prostituted to party purposes,
and virtue and manliuess had somehow
grown commonplace.
England has her Victoria Cross"
France her Legion of Honor" Prussia
Austria and Russia their various orders
to reward the brave and meritorioBs SOL
der; bat to the United States of America
is reserved to show the world that vslor
and duty are but bye-words, and that the
claim Of an ex-negro slave to an office is
stronger than those Of brave and faith.
ful soldier.
When one compares the relative posi-
tons of these two aspirants-Wilder bat
recently q freedman, illiterste, barely
master Of the rudiments OF an education,
whose strongest point is his Republican
proclivitieS, supported by the South Car
DINA delegation, who find in the appoint
ment of negro to this responsible posi-
ton in his color, incspscity and ig-
norance a ready means TO humiliste and
degrade vanquished people; a delega-
| ton dead to every generous emotion,
seeking TO revenge their social ostracism
upon a community who have laid their
eensure where ii justly belongs; and,
turning to the other side, see q soldier,
SCARED with the honorable wounds OF
battle, q sufferer through privation,
purse, and Imprisonment, q faithful ser.
want to the cause for which be fought,
asking his Government for q means Of
livelihood, exhibiting testimonials and
vouchers from the most distinguished
quarters, his plea Endorsed BY the very
men against whom be fought, BY every
grade Of worth and responsibility amongst
them; the officers Of the post adding their
( names, some Of them Of opposite political
faith, but all joining in their election for
the soldier, with no reproach against his
career as a man, an officer, and gentle
man; / repeat, cir. it would appear to
whose credit the comparison would be,
and on whose side the verdict should fall I;
and yet, sir, the negro wins and the SOL
der loses Can parallel be found to
this monstrous injustice Can the his
tory of this country furnish q greater out
rage7 think not, and to the great pub
lie. the American people, ! leave the con-
defamation of this act Of national ingrati-