The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-23

minica, which is the Spanish part Of the |
island, and shrinking at nothing, he began |
by seizinK tho war powers OF the Govern
ment, in fragrant violation OF the Constltu- |
tion, and then, at 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 the independence OF the black re-
public by open menace of war, and all with
out the sanction OF Congress, to which is
into the hnrbor Of Port-au-P Prince with our
most powerful monitor. tho 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
equadron, and then, pointing to the great
war ships in sight from the windows, dealt
his menace of war, threatening to sink or
capture Haytien ships. The President WAS
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 ZOO, but to
tho African race everywhere, and especially
For months the navy OF the United States
was lowering on the coast, keeping that in
suited people in constant anxiety, while Pre-
| b
in the air, and ready to swoop upon his prey.
This hcartloeH, cruel proceeding found vic
tim among our white fellow-citizena. An eX-
ccllcnt merchant Of Connecticut, praised by
all who know him. WAS plunged into prison
by Baez, where he WAS immured becauee it
was feared he would write against tho treaty
Of anncxion, and this captivity was prolonged
with the connivancc Of two agents of tho Pre-
sident, ono of whom finds constant favor
with him, and is part of the military ring i'm
mediately about him. That such all outrage
could go unpunished shows the little regard
of the President for human rights, whether
in white or black.
I confess my trials, as was called to wit
ness these things. Always supporter or tho
Administration, and sincerely desiring to
labor with it, had never uttered word with
regard to it except in kindness. My early OPP
position to the treaty OF annexation wac re-
served, 30 that for somo time my opinions
wcro unknown. 1t was only when l saw the
breach Of all law, human and divine, that
was aroused, and then began the anger OF the
President and OF his rings, military and sena-
| torial. Devoted to the African race, l felt for
them, besides being humbled that tho great
republic, acting through it's President, could
set such an example, whero the National
Constitution, international law and humanity
were all sacrificed. Especially was moved
when saw the indignity to the colored race
which was accomplished by tramplng upon a
fundamental principle OF 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, ls among tho "antece-
dents" Of President Grant, from which you
can Judge how much the colored race can rely
upon his ''heartfelt sympathies." Nor can it
| be forgotten, that shortly afterward, on the
return of tho commission from this island,
Hon. Frederick Z ouglass, the colored orator,
accomplished in manners as in eloQucnce, was
thrust away from the company OF the com.
miesioners at the common table of the mail
packet on the Potomac, almost within sight OF
| n Man9lOn. account
his color; but the President, at whose invita-
tion 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.stone of
that equality before tho law to which all are
entitled, without distinction Of color. Presi-
dent Grant, who could lobby 30 asslduously
for his st. Domingo schcmo. full OF wrong. to
| tho 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 'heartfclt
sympathy from the President. At last, just be-
| fore the nominating convention, he addressed
a letter to a meeting OF colorcd fcllow-citizcns
in Washington, called to advance THIS cause,
where he avoided the question, by declaring
himsclf in favor OF "the exercise OF those
rights to which every citizen should be justly
entitled" leaving it uncertain whether colored
people aro Justly entitled to tho rights 60
| cured by the pending bill understand that
| Horace Greeley has already been assailed by
an impra Democrat as friendly to this
BILL but nobody has lispcd against President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedents," deem it my du'y y
to mention the little capacity or industry If
the President in protecting colored people
| and in assuring peace at the South. Nobody
can doubt that email portion OF the effort
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 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 the Constitution and interna:
tional law to insult the black republic, and
setting an example OF characterization, he
was not in condition to rebuke law w-breakers.
II. Passing from "antecedents," come
now to the "present position" OF the two can
didates, which is the subject Of your next in
quiry. II in any former particulars the two
are on An equality, yet i'll all substantial re-
epccts tho obvious advantage is With Horace
Greeley. Each was nominated by Republi-
can convention, one at Cincinnati and the
other at Philadelphia, 30 that in this respect
they may seem to bo on an equality. But ii
will not fail to bo observed that the conven:
tion at Cincinnati was composed OF ablo and
acknowledged kepublicane, many Of whom
have acted with tho party from its first for