Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-08-23
President Grant and the Colored
People.

Frederick Douglass, the colored orato,
and writer, has again demonstrated his
ability as leader by his last letter, ad--
dressed, 70 the Colored People of the
United States" wherein he takes issue
with the followers of Mr.. Greeley regard
ing their assertion that Gen. Grant is
not frierd of the colored race.
Mr.. Douglass, after stating that the
Grecleyites ''are declaring that the Presi-
dent Is not friend to the race" says.
d" / must declare that President Grants
course, from the beginning of the war to
the present time, is without word or
deed to justify such an assertion"
General Grant, finding that his lines
contained large number of colored men,
women, and children, issued an order,
November / 1, 1862, on his own authority,
and before the Emancipation Proclamation,
an order providing for their safety and
comfort, appointing an officer to look after
their interests, set the able-bodied at
work, and cure for and feed all, but especi-
ally the aged, in6rm, and sick, and ordi-
nary r1tions and clothing issued to them.
Mr.. Douglass itly says "Here was the
full germ of tie Freedmen's Bureau ap-
parent in the orders Of General Grant
before the emancipation proclamation,
not theory, but as practical solution OF
the slavery question, and in the interest of
the welfare of all concerned" eff he
thinks, Gen. Grant was not friend of his
race, could he find time in all the busy scenes
about him to think out this great problem
which then was engaging close thought
on the part of those whose lives had been
devoted to the accomplishment of abolish
ing slavery ? He points to a hearty pride
to the order of General Grant in the
spring of 1863, after the Government had
decided to organize colored troops, in
which he SAYS " All commanders will
exert themselves, not only in organ
izing colored regiments and rendering
them efficient, but also in removing per-
iudice against them ;" and adds, was this
opposing the organization of these
troops p
Referring to extracts from various let
tiers and speeches of the President he
quotes from the message to Congress an
nouncing the ratification Of the fifteenth
amedment, II call the attention Of the
newly-enfranchised race to the impor-
lance of striving to make themselves wor-
thy of this new privilege"
Mr.. Douglass, making inquiries regarding
federal appointments, found that no record
was kept of color, but he finds colored
men in all departments of the civil service,
from foreign ministers to messengers, &C
cording to intelligence and character of
applicants.
lie urges upon the attention Of the CO.
lored people the firm enforcement of the
Kuklux law which has done so much to
bring peace and safety to the colored men
in those localities where that dreaded or
ganization held control And stating that
he had entered on a full examination of the
record of General Grant at the head of the
country we are assured of rights not only
of our rights, but our privileges"
He states his personal relations with the
President to be kindly and cordial. and
believes that few men can equal him in
stating facts with greater clea-ness or
Auency. and scouts the idea advanced by
his enemies, that, being man of few
words. he is also man of few ideas.
He disposes of the story that General
Grant did not ask him to dine with him
on the return from San Domingo by ex-
planning that only the members Of the