The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-07
Sumner. Advice to the oolored People.
WASHINGTON, D. O.. July %, 1872.

WAb6INuTON, u. O.s July ZS 1o1Zs
GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW CITIZENS: l"
! am touched by the appeal you make. 1t is
true that am the friend OF your race, and
am glad to be assured that in your opinion
and elsewhere as the special advocate OF your
rights. That course, by the blesaing Of God,
1 mean to hold so long as life lasts. I know
your infinite wrongs, and feel them as for my
you add belief that my counsel, at this oriti-
cal juncture Of your citizenship, would be free
from personal feelings and partisan prejudice.
In answering your inquiries. I can have no
anxiously seek; nor can any prejudice Of any
kind be allowed to interfere. The occasion is
too solemn. Especially is there no room for
personal feeling or for partisan prejudice.
the general welfare; therefore, they must be
brought to the standard OF truth, that they
may be seen in life and act You are right in
saying that the choice for the Presidency is
now narrowed down to President Grant or
Horace Greeley. One Of these is to bo taken;
anu, assuming my acquaintance with both.
and my observation OF their lives, you invite
my Judgment between them, asking me espe.
clally which OF tho two, judging from their
would enforce the Constitution and laws. se-
curing your civil and political rights, with the
most heartfelt sympathy and the greatest
vlgor. Here remark that, in this inquiry,
you naturally put your rights in the fore
ground. So do I-believing most sincerely
that the best interests Of the whole country
are associated with the oompletest recognition
OF your rights, 80 that the two races sh all live
together in unbroken harmony. I also re-
mark that you call attention to two things,
the "anteceaents'' Of the two candidates.; and
secondly. their "present position" You wish
to know from these which gives assurance OF
vigor in the maintenance of your rights; in
other words, which, judging by the past, will
be your truest friend.
The communication with which you have
honored me is not alone. Colored fellow.cit
zens in other parts Of the country, may say
in nearly every State OF the Union, have made
q similar request, and some complain that
hsve thus far kept silent. am not insensible
to this appeal: But it my opinion is given, it
must be candidly. according to my conscience.
In this spirit answer your inquiries, begin
ming with the antecedents Of the candidates.
!. Horace Greeley was born to poverty and
educated himself in a printing Office. Presi-
dent Grant. fortunate in early patronage, be-
came q cadet at West Point, and was educat-
ed st the public expense. One started with
nothing but industry and character; the
%an other I started with military commission.
soldier. Horace Greeley stood forth as re-
former and Abolitionist. President Grant en-
listed as pro-sls7eTJ Democrat, and, st the
election OF James Buchanan, fortified by his
the Dred Scott decision. Horace Greeley
from early life was earnest and constant
against slavery, full OF sympathy with the
colored race, and always foremost in the
great battle for their rights. President
Grsnt, except as soldier, summoned by tho
terrible accident Of war, never did anything
against slavery, nor has he at any time
shown any sympathy with the colored race.
Horace Greeley earnestly desired that colored
citizens should vote and ably championed i'm.
partial suffrage; but President Grant was on
the other side. Beyond these contrasts, which
are marked, it cannot be forgotten that Horace
Greeley is person OF large heart and large
understanding, trained to the support OF
human rights, always benefcent with the
poor. always ready for any good cause, and
never deferred by opposition or reproach, as
when for long years he befriended your peo.
his life. untirinR industry, which leaves no
moment without it's fruit-.abundant political
knowledge-ac with history-the
Instinct and grasp OF statesmanship-an
amlable nature-a magnanimOus soul, and,
above I'LL, an honesty which no suspicion has
touched, and you have brief portraiture
OF what are the antecedents OF Horace Gree
ley. Few OF these things appear in the Pre-
sident. His great success in war, and the
honors he has won, cannotlchange the record
OF his conduct toward your people, especially
in contrast with the lifetime fidelity Of his
competitor. while there are unhappy "ante-
cedents" showing that in the prosecution Of
race The story is painful, but it must be told.
refer to the outrage he perpetrated upon
Hayti, with its 800, 900 blacks, engaged in
the great experiment OF self government.
Here liz most instructive 'aptecedent," re-.
vealing beyond question his true nature, and
dence. conoeiving the idea Of annexing Do
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