Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1870-04-11
william Lloyd esrrI.os on ,ne FIJI

william Lloyd Garrfaon on the FIJI.
tsonth Amendment.
The following letter from William Lloyd
Garrison was read at meeting in New York
on Thursday nights N.
! LanOdon Ward, Eco
DEAR SRA; very deeply regret that In
consequence Of the state Of my health, espe-
clally Of my lungs, am obliged to with.
draw my promise 70 speak at the meeting TO
be held this week by the Union League
Club Of New York, In honor OF the adoption
Of the fifteenth amendment to the Coustitu.
ton Of the United States.
This cheering event 10 tho contamination
OF that great moral struggle which, based
upon absolute Justice and supported In an
incorporating spirit, for 30 many years
preceded the late rebellious outbreak OF the
South for an Independent slaye-bolding en-
pire, aud without which there could have
been no renovation OF public sentiment ade-
quate TO prevent the overthrow OF our Re-
public. That struggle was virtually euded
when the first rebel guu was fired at Fort
sumtet; and Il no longer became matter Of
warning and reproof, but resolved itself into
| a question Of patriotic duty and tho prcser-
walton of the Union.
Since then our national necessities have
forced us, however reluctantly or dlstrust-
fully, to the adoption Of one measure after
AuNNutI Aut suppression Ol snh IuuBiAAuu
and the reconstruction Of the Union, I'LL at
last we all stand upon the high plane Of
unlyeral liberty and equality before the law,
so far as complexional distinctions are con-
cernod.
To this extent, at least, we may now read
our Declaration OF Independence with pride
aud exultatlon, challenge the scrutiny OF tho
world In regard to our laws and Institutions,
claim superiority Of condition over every
fNnh
upon our future as pregnant With manifold
blessings, and join 10 strains Of thanksgiving
and tokens Of utilization for all the achieve.
ments that have been so maryelously wrought.
1t Ia scarcely possible to portray the DIFF
ference which ten years have effected In our
| Views, aspirations, hopes. chances, pros
poets and possibilities as nation. In 1900
the slave power dominated the land In the
pride Of It's strength; 1t counted Its bondmen
BY millions; It's hunting. ground was as
| broad as our national dominlou, II firmly held
Church and State in Its iron grasp 1t almost
seemed successfully to "eNalt itself above
all that Is called God"
In 1870 the genius Of universal enamel
patton sits enthroued 10 lis stead not q bond.
man remains 10 be delivered, not yoke to
be broken tho chattlo IL a man, and tho
man q recognized American citizen with the
ballot IN his hand tho constitution of tho
covenant with death" 10 an anti slavery
instrument aud by the Fifteenth Amend
ment every State Is compelled to regard
manhood, and not the color OF the skin, as
the test Of fitness for the elective franchise.
The result Of all this cannot fall 10 be unex-
ampled peace aud prosperityj for these
abonnd where justice is impartially admlnls.
tered and liberty Is tho inheritance Of all.
Though Identified with no political Hsso-
citation, deem Il simple justice In this
connection 10 say that whatever has been
don, by political action or legislative enact.
ment to secure this glorious triumph, has
been done exclusively by the Republican
party, and by the Loyal Leaguers eo-operat-
ing with II; aud that President Grant is
deserving Of high praise for tho support he
has given to the claims Of long-oppressed
but now redeemed people.
You're, brilliantly,
WM. LLOYD GARRIsoN.