Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-08-07
WAsHNaroN. JulY 29th, -

COtAiuS pEtelueutldI elSCtIOu, dS iOILOhs
WASHINGTON, July 29th, 1872
GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW -CIrIzENs IF
have delayed answering your communication
of July llth, which was duly placed in my
hands by your Committee, it is not because
the proper course for you seemed doubtful
but because | wished to reflect upon it, and
be aided by the information which time might
supply. Since then have carefully considered
the inquiries you have addressed me, and lis
tened to much on both sides; but my best iudg-
ment Is in harmony with my early cOnclu-
sion. | am touched by the appeal you make.
1t is true am the friend of your race, and
am glad 10 be assured that, IN your opinion
have held q constant course in the Senate
and e!sew here as the special advocate Of
your rights That course, by the blessing
of God, mean to hold as long as life lasts.
know your infinite wrongs, and feel for
them as my own. You only do me simple
Justice when you add belief that my counsel
al this critical juncture of your citizenship
would be free from personal feelings and
partisan prejudice.
In answering your inquiries, | can have
no feeling except for your good, which
most anxously seek nor can any prejudice
of anv kind be allowed TO Interfere the
occasion Is too solemn. Especially is there
no room for personal feeling or for partisan
prejudice; no man or party can expect power
except for the general good. Therefore they
must be brought To the standard of truth that
they may be seen in life and act. You are right
in saving that the choice for the Presidency
Is now ' narrowed down . to President Grant
or Horace Greeley. One of these IS to be
taken, and, assuming my acquaintance
with both and my observation of their lives,
you invite my judgment between them, ask
ing me especially which of the two, judging
from their antecedents as well as present
position, would enforce the Constitution and
laws, securing your civil and political rights
with the most heartfelt sympathy and great
est vig0r- Here, | remark that in this
inquiry You naturally put your rights in the
foreground. So do believing most sin
cerelv that the best interests of the whole
country are associated with the completest
recognition Of your rights, 50 that two races
shall live together in unbrOken harmony.
also remark that you call attention to two
things: The - antecedents ; of the two can
didates, secondly, their - present position. >
You wish to know from these which gives
assurance Of the most heartfelt sympathy
and greatest vigor in the maintenance Of
your rights. In other words, which, judging
from the past. viii be your truest friend.
The communication with which you have
honored ne Is not alone. Colored fellow
citizens in other parts of the c0untry-I may
say in nearly every State Of the Union-have
made a similar request, and some complain
that | have thus tar kept silent. | am not
insensible 70 this appeal ; but if my opinion
Is gwen it must be candidly, according to
my conscience. Ia this spirit answer your
inquiries, beginning with the antecedents OF
the two candidates.
ANTECEDENTS OF GREELEY AND GRANT.
Horace Greeley was born 70 poverty and
educated himself IN q printing office. Presi
dent Grant, fortunate IN early patronage,
became a cadet at West Point, and was
at the public expense. One started
with nothing but a military commission.
Oae was trained 4 civilian the other as a
soldier. Horace Greeley stood forth as
Relormer and Aboliti0nist President Grant
enlisted a prO-Slavery Democrat, and at
the election OF James Buchanan, fortified by
his vote all the pretensiOns of Slavery. in
cludIng the Drei Scott decision. Horace
Greeley, from early life, was earnest
AMI constant against Slavery, full
of sympathy with the c0lOred race. and
always foremost in the great battle for their
rights President Grant except as a soldier
summoned by the terrible accident of war,
never did anything against Slavery, nor has
he at any time shown any sympathy with the
colared race Horace Greeley earnestly de-
sired that the colored citizen should vote,
and ably championed impartial suffrage; but
President Grant was on other side. Be
vond these contrasts which are marked, it
cannot be forgotten that Horace Greeley is
a person Of a large heart and large under
standing, trained to the support of human
rights, always benefcIent with the poor,
always ready for any good cause, and never
deferred by opposition or reprOach, as when
tor long years he belriended your people.
Add TO these qualities conspicuous in his life,
untiring industry, which leaves no moment
without its fruit. abundant political knowl-
edge, acquaintance with history, the instinct
anu grasp of statesmanship. an amiable ma
rure, magnanimOus soul, and above all,
an honesty which no susp cI0n has touched,
and you have a brief portraiture. These are
the antecedents of Horace Greeley.
GRANTS HOSTILITY TO THE CoLoRED RACE.
Few of these things appear in the Presi- |
dent. His great success in war, and the I
lOnOrs he has won, cannot change the rec /
Jrd Of his etrly conduct toward your people, |
specially in contrast with the Lifetime /
fidelity of his competitor; while there are 4
antecedents showing that in the |
of his plans he cares nothing for
he colored race. The story is painful, but /
{ must be told. | refer TO the outrage he /
upon Hayti, with its 500 600 I
blacks engaged IN the great experiment of
elf government. Here Is a most Instructive
revealing, beyond question, his
rue nature, and the whole is attested by
evidence. Conceiving the idea
f anaexiug Dominica, which is the Spanish
art Of the island, aud shrinking al nothing,
e began by seizlng the war powers of the
government. in hagrant violation of the Con
titution and then, at great expenditure
( money, sent several armed ships of
be navy, including monitors, TO maintain
he usurper Baez IN power, that through
i'm he might obtain the coveted prize. Not
Ontent with this audacious dictatorship, he
roceeded to strike at the independence of
he Black Republic in open menace of war,
I'D all without the sanction of Congress, to
Ihieh is committed the war-making powers.
INSULT TO rHE PRESIDENT OF THE BLACK RE-
PUBLIC.
Sailing into Port au-Prince with our most
owerful monitor, the Dictator, properly
AIMED for this service, also the frigate
evern as consOrt, and other monitors In
heir train, the Admiral, acting under in
tructions from Washington, proceeded 10
be Executive Mansion, accompanied by the
fhcers of his squadron and then, pointing to
be great war ships in sight from the window,
ealt the menace of war, threatening to SEND |
: capture Haytisn ships. The President {
7as black not white. The Admiral would !
ave done no such thing TO any white ruler,
or would our country have tolerated such
lenace from any Government in the world.