The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-17

ny selztnE the war powers 0f the Govern
ment, in 1agrant violation OF tho Constitu-
tion, and then, 1T great expenditure Of
money, sent several armed ships Of the navy,
including monitors, to maintain the usurper
Baez in power. that through, him he might
this audacious Dictatorship, he proceeded to
strike at tho independence OF the black re-
public by open menace OF war, and all with
out the sanction Of Congress, to which is
committed the wal. making power. Sailing
into the harbor of Port-au- Prince with our
most powerful monitor, the Dictator, proper
ly named for this service, also the frigate Sc
vern as consort and other monitors in their
train, the Admiral, acting under instructions
from Washington, proceeded to the executive
mansion, accompanied by officers Of his
squadron, and then, pointing to the great
his menace OF war. threa, ening to sink or
capture Haytien ships. The President was
black, not white. Tho Admiral would have
done no such thing to any white ruler, nor
mace from any Government in the world.
Here was indignity not only to tho black re-
public, with it's population of 800, 600, but to
the African race everywhere, and especially
For months the navy OF the United States
was lowering on the coaet, keeping that in
suited people ip constant anxiety, while Pre-
sident Grant was to them like hawk sailing
in the air, and ready to swoop upon his prey.
This heartlcss, cruel proceeding found vic
tim among our white fellow citizens. An ex-
cellens merchant OF Connecticut, praise by
al. all @ who know nov him, was plunged ir,o prison
WAS feared be would write against the treaty
OF anne1ion, and this captivity WAS prolonged
with the conniyance OF two agents OF tho Pre-
sident, one of whom finds constant favor
mediately about him. That such an outrage
could 20 uppunished shows the littlo regard
OF the President for human rights, whether
in white or black.
7 c0Ofaaa nv tria1a yoa called fO wit.
ness these things. Always supporter OF the
Administration, and eincerely desiring to
labor with it, had never uttered word with
regard to it except in kindness. My early op-
position to the treaty OF annexation was re-
served, 30 that for some time my opinions
were unknown. 1t WAS only when I saw the
breach OF all law, human and divine. that
wac aroused, and then began the anger Of the
President and Of his rings. military and sena-
torial. Devoted to the African race, I felt for
them. besides being humbled that the great
republic, acting through it's President. could
eet such an example, where the National
Constitution, international law and humanity
were all sacrificed. Especially was 1 moved
when saw the indignity to the colorcd race
which WAS accomplished by trampling upon
fundamental principle 0f International law,
declaring the equality Of nations, as our De-
claration OF Independence declares the equal
ity of men. This terrible transaction, which
nobody can defend, Is among the "antece.
dents'' OF President Grant, from which you
can Judge how much the colored race can rely
upon his heartfelt sympathes." Nor can it
be forgotten, that shortly afterward, on the
return OF the commission from this island,
hon. Frederick Z ouglass, the colored orator,
accomplished in manners as in eloquence, was
thrust away from the company OF the COM
mission ers at the common table of the mail
packet on the Potomac. almost within sight OF
the Executive Mansion, simply OIL account Of
his color; but the President, at whose invita-
ton he had joined the commission, never ut
tered word in condemnation OF this exclu
sion, and when entertaining the returned
commissioners at dinner, carefully omitted
Mr.. Douglass. who was in Washington at the
time, and thus repeated the indignity. Other
things might be mentioned showing tho SYM
pathies Of the President, but cannot forget
the civil rights bill, which is the cap-stons OF
that equality before the law to which all are
entitled, without distinction Of color. Presi-
dent Grant, who could lobby so aesiduously
for his St. Domingo scheme. full OF wrong to
the colored race. could do nothing for this
benefcent measure. During long session
OF Congress, it WAS discussed constantly, and
the colored people everywhere hung upon the
debate. but there was no word Of "heartfelt
sympathy "from the President. At last, just be-
fore the nominating convention, he addressed
a letter to meeting OF coiored fellow. citizens
in Washington, called to advance this cause,
where he avoided the question, by declaring
himself in favor OF "the exercise of those
rights to which every citizen should be Justly
entitled" ." leaving it uncertain whether cUlored
people are justly entitled to the rights se-
cured by the pending Dill. understand that
Horace Greeley has already been assailed by
an impractics6le Democrat as friendly TO this
bill, but nobody has lisped as ainst President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedente," deem it my dut
to mention the little capacity or industry =:
the President in protecting colored pcOI e
and in assuring peace at the South. NoboL.
can doubt that email portion ut the Fl ,rt
and earnest will, even without the lobbying
SO freely given to the San domingo scheme
would have averted those ku Klux outrages
which we deplOre, 80 TINT there would have
been no pretence for further legislation by
Congress. But he wac disabled both by cha
racter and the drawback OF hs own conduct.
After violating the Constitution and interna-
tional law to insult the black republic, and
setting an example of insubordina:ion, he
was not in condition to rebuke law.breakcrs.
II. Passing from "antecedents," l come
now to the "present position" or tho two can
dldates, which is the subject OF yonr next in
quiry. If i'll any former particulars the two
are on an equality, yet in all substantial re-
spects the obvious advantage is With Horace
Greeley. Each WAS nominated by Kepubli-
can convention, one At Cincinnati and the
other at iladclphia, go that in thir respec:
they may seem to be on al eqnulity. But it
will not fail to bo observed that the cnnveil-
tlon at Cincinnati was composed OF abio and
acknowledged Nepublicans. many of whom
have acted with the party from its first for.
nation, who, without previous organization,
came together volun: ari)y for the sa ke OF re-
form and purity IN the Government; while, on
the other hand, the convention at Philaoel-
phia was composed OF delegates chosen
largely under tho influence Of stockholders,
who assem- bcd to sustain what is known ns