The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-21
DOWNING VERSUS sCHURz.
Downing Reviewing Senator Schurz-Down.
ing ON Universal Amnesty-Downing and the
Germa ns-Downing as the CoIored PEG.
pies Alliance with tho Republican Party.


ing on Universal MISUNDERSTANDING and the
Germans-DOwning 10 the CoIored Peo-
pies Alliance with tho Republican Party.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
/ listened with intense interest to the debate in
the Senate on Thursday and Friday between Sena-
tors Schurz and Drake, OF Missouri. The former
gentleman reflected on the colored voters OF his
State. ! expected TO hear Senator Drake reply to
the rejection lie did not do so. think 1t not out
OF place for me 10 notice the Senator's remarks.
General Schurz impressed me with the idea that
he was looking to the creation OF new party at the
expense of the one that honored him with his
present position. In his speech, IN reply TO charge,
he asserted that the revenue reform issue did not
enter into the late election in his State; he
narrowed the issue 10 the question OF granting
amnesty to those who were dlsfranchised because
of the rebellion. That citizen should have the
right 10 vote Is universally admitted; that citizen
can forfeit that right Is as generally conceded
There is no question about the fact that person
having forfeited the same has no right to dictate
terms as to his being pardoned-as to his being
restored In his right. The question is Of eXpe-
diency and does not necessarily involve principle.
The Senator boasts or having introduced In 1858,
into the republican platform a declaration favorng
the removal Of political disabilities soon
patDle with public safety, and welcoming back to
accept the new order Of things While !, perhaps,
naturally should be less ready than he to accord this
liBeraity yet / do no less warmly than he. I wei.
come back each rebel, would grant to all such am
nesty and pardon from the bottom OF my heart, my
only Desltancy being as to the expedency. Do They
manifest the fitting penitence which, as lover OF
justice and in view OF the welfare of my country,
have right to demands
would put amnesty within the reach Of every
repentant REBEL without the least modification or
undue humiliation. would Deseech him in most
fraternal spirit to embrace 1t; but want to feel
assured he appreciates the kindness Of heart that
prompts the generosity. 1t is question whether
all rebels do So and hence the expedicncy Of grant
Ing universal amnesty Is questioned because OF
which Senator Schurz attempts to crack the whip
over the republican party.
! feel 1t duty more particularly to notice the
Senator's remarks because Of his unknd allusion in
mis- speech to those color ed voters OF Missouri who
dared to disregard his advice, and because Of his
friendly feelings against the coored man. The col
ored people have ever appreciated and do now ap-
precate the discerning, Just spirit which has marked
against the prescribing or whom have ever pro-
tested should be very sorry TO see the Senator
or the amcable relation existing between the Ger.
man and the colOred man. / regretted to hear the
Senator's-l was about to say Standardization TO
points which the republican party regard as recon-
mandatory. His effort to make giaring exhibit Of
Us faults ana shortcomings his coquettlng with
air, indicated hostility to his party.
We see in his speech much That Is adroit. 1t was
adroitly put; but would ask, II he admits as he
does. that the proper moral sentiment needed in
the republican party what more good can those hav
out Of the party and forming new alliances with In
divduals who have no more sympathy with them
themselves, as they must with the unrepentant who
have been obstacles OF the moral ogress which the
republican party has been so instrumental In for.
warding2
What are the facts which the honorable Senator
refers to In order to Justify himself In proclaimng
c0lOred voters OF Missouri permitted themselves'
to be used Ia what he'terms "a most INSCRIPTIONS
given them by the State Republican Convention;
they mad nothing to do In making the basis OF rep
the party, only awaited themselves Of the privilege
that had been given them. When "the canvass was
being prosecuted. colored agitators were sent"
were other agltators, ito enlist the new en-
ranchised :, colored people in the crusade
says, ''all the articles OF demagogueism, every
possible appeal to passion prejudice and fear We're
suppose, the stump oratOry and manGuvrIng COM
mon TO parties IN canvasses..
own admission, shows the propriety and expediency
OF the colored mans opposing universal amnesty;
borrow his words-"aganst whom 50 many pre-
JUDGES were still alive wrongful prejudces, indeed
purbnd to have favored the enfranchising Of those
cherlshing such feelings towards them. This being
the iact-the colored people being persons against
whom so many prejudces, as he says still alive
wrongful preJudices Indeed, but stubporn-was 1t
either unwse or unnatural for them to be opposed
TO the enfranchising OF their enemes-tO the en-.
franchislng OF those who feel thus towards them
Is 1t magnanimous-is 1t common justice to talk Of
their being ''seduced to signal their very entrance
into political life by using their virgin franchise TO
the purpose OF countenancing the DISBURSEMENT
Of others when those others cherished the feeling
Is not this disrupttng, revolutionary regard for
universal franchise on the part Of the honorable
application by a new regard FOR the rebels? The
gentleman claims great virtue and sacredness In
hall OF the same disrupt parties, give AID, coun-
tenance and comfort to hostile parties with view
TO aid those who have raised bloody and fratri-
cidal hands against a government which they had
every reason to love, supper. and defend.
He manifested no similar regard for the same
principle In its application TO colored men when he
gratuiousy proposed to leave the colored citizens
OF the Northern States to the hostile feeling therein
which would not only disfranchise them but rob
them OF every right, though ever loyal to the gov
eminent. See the resolution which the honorable
Senator offered in the Chicago Convention, in 1858,
which resolution one among the very highest OF
the administration to me denounced as impolitic
and ar% thai Is the
love their country, to adhere TO the
advance 1t to lis proper position. 1t is, and is most
likely to be- the most effective agent to bring the
ZION Ous VI the embarrassing pOSltlon mo WnlCh
rebels and their allies forced It, We may need reve
nue. reforms, but we need more exact definition
thereof than the revenue reformersN give us. We
want an abatement OF taXatlon-the party will give
IL to us. We need proper civil service; but not
such one as the democratic party is likely to give
us. We want more regard for labor-the party 10
taking advance steps IN this direction. We want
land reform, as the party VIII see. We want more
complete recognition OF the blacks as q political
strength essential to the supremacy OF the party, TO
be held thereto by a present and prospective inte
rest, as well as by its agency In the past
The cooret man TO be his interest to secure
another republican administration, unless the
publican party permit some other one to outstrp t
In sincere devotion to principles having their foun-
dalton In justice ana dear TO the coored man, and
unless the party shall not have an equitable regard
to merit, not only his rights but his privileges.
He sees 1t to be his interest to maintain republican
ascendency for with its present ascendency he
does not fully realize and enjoy the complete bene-
fits OF the amendments aud OF the
Civil Rights bill lately adopted. He sees
that 1t ls necessary to maintain In power
the administration tnstrnmental in eDactinp tho