New-York tribune., 1872-07-31

and laws respecting our civil and pohtcal rights
with the most heartfelt sympathy and the greatest
yicor We hope and trust you VIII iaVor us "l'n
sncb rerlv as viii serve to enlghen our minds upon
this subject and impel our people to go forward In
the richt direction. Our confidence in your judg-
ment is so firm that, in our opinion, thousands Of
The Intelligent colored voters of the country will be
puided in their action by your statement and ad-
vice.
Hoping TO receive a reply soon, we have the
honor 10 be- with great respect your obedlent ser
wants, CSigned.)
A. T. AUGUSTA, NJ. d., SAMUEL PROCTOR,
DAVID FISHER, sR. j. j. kETCHUM,
JOHN H. SMITH, CHARLES NJ THOMAS,
EDWARD Cruiser WILLIAM II. SHORTER,
EyM H. WoRNHEY, HENRY Hill,
WILLIAM WILSON, THURMAN j. SHADD,
r. w, ToMPKIYs GEORGE d. JOHNSON,
JbffS n BRowN. CHRIS. A. FLEETWOOD,
HcNRy LACY. CHARLES F. BRACE,
w n BFII. DAVID FISHER, JR.,
i'll. n Bowen. NJ. d., DAVID KING
JACOB DEwITIER WILLIAM fOLkENf'
To the Hon. Charles Sumner.
SENATOR SUMMERS REPLY.
WASHINGTON, July 20, 1872.
GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW CITIZENS: If l
have delayed answering your communication
of July II, which was duly placed III my
hands by your Committee, it is not because
the proper coarse for you seemed doubtful,
out because | wished to reflect upon It, and
be aided by the information which time
might supply. Since then l have carefully
considered the inquiries you have addressed
me, and listened to much on both sides; but
my best Judgment is in harmony with my
early conclusion. / am touched by the appeal
you make 1t is true am the friend of your
race, and / am glad to be assured that, i'll
your opinion, have held a constant course
in the Senate and elsewhere as the special
advocate of your rights. That course, by the
blessing of God, l mean to hold as long as
life lasts. l know your infinite wrongs, and
feel for them as my own. You only do me
simple justice when you add belief that my
counsel at this critical juncture of your ciu-
zenship would be free from personal feelings
and partisan prejudice.
In answering your inquiries, l can have no
feeling except for your good, which l most
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; no
man or party can expect power except for the
general welfare. Therefore they must be
Drought 10 lUt btduudlu VI lIulll lldt lutg
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
OF 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, asking me
especially which of the two Judging from
their antecedents as well as present posi-
ton, would enforce the Constitution and
laws, securing your civil and political
rights with the most heartfelt sympathy and
greatest yigor. Here, remark that in this in
quiry you naturally put your rights in the
foreground. So do i believing most sin
ceTely that the best interests of the whole
country are associated with the cOmpletest
recognition of your rights, so that two races
shall live together IN unbroken harmony.
also remark that you call attention to two
things The "antecedents" of the two candi-
dates, secondly, their present position You
wish to know from these which gives assur-
ance of the most heartfelt sympathy and
greatest vigor in the maintenance of your
rights. In other words, which, Judging from
the past, will be your truest friend
The communication with which you have
DODOfeO me Is uOt NOIOiCu ItllOW-
citizens in other parts of the cOuntry-I may
say in nearly every State of the Union-have
made a similar request, and some complain
that have thus far kept silent. am not in
sensible'to this appeal; but if my opinion is
given it must be candidly, according to my
conscience In this spirit / answer your IN
quries, beginning with the antecedents of the
two candidates,
AETECEDRNTs OF GREELEY AND GRANT.
Horace Greeley was born TO poverty, ana
educated himself in printing Office. Presl-
dent Grant, fortunate in early patronage be-
came cadet at West Point, and was educated
at the public expense. One started with moth
ing but industry and character: the other
started with a military commission. One was
trained civilian; the other as a soldier.
Horace Greeley stood forth as a Reforner and
AbolitOnist President Grant enlisted as a
pro-Slavery Democrat, and, at the election of
James Buchanan, fortified by his vote all the
pretensiOns of Slavery, including 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 theiI
rights President Grant. except as a soldier
summoned by the terrible accident of war
never did anything against Slavery, nor has he
st any time shown any sympathy with the
eolored race. Horace Greeley earnestly