The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-29
A BIvALvULAR BOOMERANG.
Words Of Warning from the Ethiopian Moses
Pronunoiamiento from 0ystorman Downing,

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
II is painfully evident that there Is lack OF due
respect for coored on the part the republican
party. The modification realize In connection
with the fact is Increased, because those Indifferent
to the feelings OF cOlored men have evidence that
they. or at least that intelligent colored men, are
conscious Of the same and that while this Is true
the republican party calculate on the colored vote.
The intelligent colored man has been conscious that
he was being robbed Of his rights Us q man-of his
rights under the constitution justly and legally In
terpreted; under the constitution gig en- by the
fathers; that the present declarations and amend
ments have their necessity In the perversions, dis
tortions and usages that have prevailed in the In
terest OF slavery. which was arbitrarily upheld; that
the present view not only frees the black. but the
white also and IS but doing SIMPLE justice to the
former.
Do those through whose agency the c0lored man
was freed from chattel slavery feel that they avow
the colored man as political slave-a slave to be
grateful for such ptifu allowance OF privileges as
the assumed owner may be pleased to dole out to
him9 feel called on to declare that majority OF
those known as republicans IN their example prac-
tcally illustrate Judge Taney's declaration "that
black men have no rights that white men are bound
TO respect.r TaSe from the party Charles Sumner,
Benjamin F. Butler and those who fully accord with
them IN their policy In recognizing our rights and
1t is questionable whether those beside them who
constitute the republican party present much
higher standard favoring the colored man and his
rights than is true of the democrat. unless you de-
scend to Blair. They, like the democrat, snbordi-
nate principle to what they regard expediency. A
virtue OF the democrat Is an appreciation OF realty
TO party.
speeches. letters and the like emanating from re-
pubhcans lead to the conclusion that the benefits
clared' Inc result Of necessity. This Is I to an
extent too true. 1t was felt that so light was the
obligation to respect the rights Of black men that
they might be held slaves II deemed necessary
maintain the Union. on the other hand, freed III
deemed necessary to the same end.
l sat not long ago IN the Senate or the United
States and heard one OF the most noted republican
Senators declare without restraint cover that he
was opposed to enfranchslng co.ored men; tnat he
supported their reimbursement as necessity. /
heard no less distinguished republican Senator
record his vote against allowing persons Of African
descent to be naturalized. 1 see determinations
made daily by the party that are odious, unfair.
ungenerous, depressing that feed lack OF respect
men on account OF their color, by Legislation. IN
cases In which 1t has the power and an unQuestion-
able right to act.cases IN winch duty demands &C.
my party to be more consistent.
The democratic party has nor up to this time.
given the colOred man the first reason for him to
have confluence In It, to support the party; 1t could
not expect HIM to do So II has been his unrelent-
present indications are that it may-in fact win not
necessity compel 1t to accept the colored mans pre-
sent political statusS
II the republican party shall create and encourage
the idea that 1t does not care for the co1ored
only to use him, and II the democratic party shall
profess to practice the declared tenets OF The
republican party, as Affecting tile c0lored mans
rights inroads upon the republican party would be
made call attention to the significant speech made
in Congress by Fernando Wood. wherein he says
"The democratic party has no desire to interfere with
those amendments TO the constitution which give
free and equal suffrage to all the people OF the
United States. The democratic party would awe to
the colored race all the political and civil rights
which they would give to any other class Of the peo
Pile = the day Is speedily coming, and
hope has already come, when the col0red race OF
the United States will assume their position In the
country as free and independent voters; that they
may be allowed 10 Judge OF men and parties and
principles for themselves; that they may find among
their own class able and patriotic leaders, who viii
say to them, BE no longer instruments Of dema-
gogues.' i believe that among the colored men
are found those who are patriotic. honest and
rational" Thus declares Fernando Wood, q men,
Der OF Congress and one OF the leading democrats
OF the land.
l hope my party may now, when 1t may. when 1t
should, avert danger. other interests besdeS those
known as the negro issue" demand Its con.
tinuance. II IS unquestionably the party OF pro-
gress Let 1t sail close; let no party 60 between 1t
and the moral winds which watt to the nations
haven OF peace, prosperity and honor.
GEORGE r. DOWNING.
WASHINGTON, April IL, 1871.