The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-08-24
PRESIDENT GRANT AND THE
.COLORED PEOPLE.

-
Frederick Douglass, the colored
orator and writer, has again demon |
strated his ability ~ leader BY !
his last letter, addressed, ITO the |
Colored People OF the United
States" wherein he takes issue
with the followers of Mr.. Greeley
regarding their assertion that
General Grant is not q friend OF
the coiored race.
Mr.. Douglass, after stating that
Grce!e. ties ''are declaring that the
President is not friend Of the
race" says. II must declare that
President Grants course, from the
beginning of the war to the present
time, ie without word or deed to
justify such an assertion"
General Grant, finding that HE
lines contained large numbers of
colored men, women and children,
Issued an order. November II,
1862, on his own authority, and
before the Emancipation: Procla.na-
ton, providing for their safety
and comfort. appointing An officer
to look after their interests,
: set the able bodied at work, and
cared for and fed all, but especially
the aged, .infirm, and sick, and or
lderina rasions and Slothing issued
4 m tl,nrp 4. s
Mr.. Douglass fitly says: 'Here
was the full germ of the Freed
mems Bureau apparent in the
orders Of General Grant before the
emancipation proclamation, not rs
theory, but a practical salution
Of the slavery question, and in the
interest of the welfare Of all con-
cerned." II he thinks, General
Grant was not q friend Of his race,
could he lind time in all the busy
scenes about him to think out this
great problem, which then was en-
geging close thought on the part
OF lhosc whose lives had been de-
voted to tue accomplishment Of
abolishing slavery !? He points
with hearty pride to the order Of
General Grant in the spring Of
1868, after the Government had
decided to organize colored troops,
in which he says: Gall command
ers will exert themselves, = =
not only in organizing colcred
regiments and rendering them Ell
ficient, but also in removing pref
udice against Them and adds,
"Was this opposing tue osgsniza-
ton OF these troops p
Referring to extracts from vari-
Gus letters and speeches Of the
President he quotes from the mes
sage TO Congress announcing the
ratification Of the fifteenth amend
ment, 81 cali TIE attention of the
newly anchisea race to the i'm
portance of striving to mako them
selves worthy of this new privi-
lege.".
Mr.. Douglass, making inquiries
regarding federal appointments,
found that no record was kept oi
color, but he finds colored men in
all departments Of the civil service,
, from foreign ministers to messen.
gers, according to intelligence and
character of applicants.
He urges upon the attention Of
j thc colored people the firm enforce
ment Of the Kuklux law, which Las
done 80 much to bring peace and
safety to the colored maa in those
| localities where that dreaded or
| ganization held control. And stat
ing tiat he had entered on . full
examination Of the record of Gen
eral Grant as q friend Of the color
edrace, says, Il closed the inq uiry
perfectly satisfied thst with Gener
al Grant ut the head Of the country
We are assured not only Of ouI
rights, but our privileges"
i He states his personal relation,
with the President to be kind ant
cordial, aud believes that few lnel
can equal him in stating facts Will
| greater clearness or duency, ant
scouts the idea advanced by BIZ
enemies. that, beirg . man OF fey
words, he is also q man of fev
ideas.
lie disposes Of The story tina
General Grant did not ask him &
dine with him on the return fror
San Domingo, Yby explaining ths
only the members of the Commie
sion provided for by resolution q
CapUyoas Daro snr;toA al - -.
not Of the number, having gone t
the Island only as an invited CUES
He closes with the following pere
ration, which we submit in full, q
aworthy specimen Of Mr.. Douglass
eloquent and forcible style of wri
ing:
Il wherever else there may