The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-03

cedents" showing that in the prosecution Of
his plans he cares nothing for the colored
race. The story is painful, but it must be
refer to the outrage he perpetrated upon
Hsyti, with its SOC, ,OCO blacks, engaged in
the great experiment OF self-government.
here II most instructive "antecedent." re.
yealng beyond question his true nature. and
the whole is attested by documentary evil
denoe. Conoeiving the idea of annexing Do
minioa, which ia the Spanish part ef the
island, and shrinking at nothing, he began
by a. seizing 81 tho war powers Of the Govern
tion, and thon, st great expenditure of
money, sent several armed ships of tho navy,
including monitors, to maintain the usurper
Bsez in power, that through him he might
this audaoious Dictatorship, he proceeded to
strike at the independence OF the black re-
public by open menace Of war, and ell with
out the sanction OF Congress, to which is
into the hnrbor Of Port.as.P Prinoe S with hs our
most powerful monitor. the Dictator, proper
ly named for this service, also the frigate Sc
vern as oonaort and other monitors in their
from Washington, proceeded to the executive
mansion, accompanied by officers OF his
squadron. and then, pointing to the great
war ships in sight from the windows, dealt
his menace &C. 81 war. threatening He to 1 sink @ or
black, not white. The Admiral would have
done no such thing to any white ruler, nor
would our country have tolerated such me-
mace from any Government in the world.
Here was indignity not only to the black re-
public, with it's population Of 100000, but to
the African race everywhere, and especially
In our own country. Nor did it end here.
For months the navy OF the United States
was lowering on the coast, keeping that in
suited people in constant anxiety, while Pre-
'sident lirant was to them like hawk sailing
in the air, and ready to swoop upon his prey.
This heartleee, cruel proceeding found vic
tim among our white fellow citizens. An e1-
all who know him, was plunged into. prison
by BAez, whore he WAS lmmured because it
was feared be would write against the treaty
Of anne1ion. and this captivity was prolonged
with the conniyance OF two agents OF the Pre-
sident, one Of whom finds constant favor
with him, and is part Of the military ring i'm
mediately about him. That such an outrage
could go unpunished shows the little regard
OF the President for human rights, whether
in white OF black.
I confess my trials, as was called to wit
ness these things. Always a supporter OF the
Administration, and sincerely desiring to
labor with 1t, 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 saw the
was aroused, and then began the anger Of the
President and Of his rings. military and aena-
torial. Devoted to the African race. felt for
them. besides being humbled that the great
republic. acting through it's President, could
set such an. example. where the National
Constitution, information al law and humanity
were all sacrificed. Especially was I moved
whom saw the indignity to the colored race
which was accomplished by trampling upon a
fundamental principle Of international law.
declaring the equality OF nations, as our De.
claration OF Independence declares the eauul-
ity OF mon. 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 relv
upon his heartfelt sympathies.' Nor can it
bo forgotten. that shortly afterward, on the
return of the commission from this island,
Hon. Frederick douglass. the colored orator,
thrust away from the company Of the com
missionerB at the common table Of the mail
packet on the Potomac, almost within sight of
the Executive Mansion, simply on account of
his color; but The President, at whose invita-
tion he had joined the commission, never ut
tered a word in condemnation OF this exclu-
sion, and when entertaining the returned
commissioners at dinner, carefully omitted
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.stone Of
that equality before the law to which all are
entitled, without distinction OF color. Presi-
dent Grant, whc could lobby so assiduously
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 constsntly. and
the colorsd people everywhere hung upon the
debate, but there was no word of "heartfelt
sympathy 'lfrom the President. at last, Just be.
fore the nominating convention, he addressed
letter to meeting OF colored fellow-citizens
in Washington. called to advance this cause.
whore 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 oolored
people are justly entitled to the rights &C.
cured by the pending bill. understand that
Horace Greeley has already been assailed by
an impracticable Democrat as friendly to this
bill, but nobody has lisped against President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedents," I deem it my duty
to mention the little capacity or industry OF
the President in protecting colored people
and in assuring peace at tho South. Nobody
can doubt that q email portion OF the effort
and earnest will, even without the lobbying
80 freely given to the San Domingo scheme
would have avertod those Ku Klux outrages
which we deplore, 30 that there would have
been no pretence for further legislation by
Congress. But he was disabled both by cha
racter and the drawback OF his own conduct,
After violating tho Constitution and interna.
tional law to insult the black republic. and
setting an example OF insubordination, he
was not in condition to rebuke law-breakers
II. Passing from "antecedents," come
now IN thu ttnra ont ooiktopu AZ 49, -.