Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-08-08
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SENATOR SUMMERS POSITION.


WASHINGTON, July 3O.-Mr. Sumner has
written long letter to number of colored
citizens who lately addressed him. Mr.. Sum-
ner declares for Greeley. Among his strongest
paragraphs is the following:
The present position of the colcred citizen
is perilous; he is exposed to injurious pressure
when he needs support but see no early ex-
trication except in the way proposed. Let
him cut adrift from any manager who would
WELD him merely as a political force, with
little regard to his own good, and bravely
stand BY the candidate, Greeley, who has
stood by him. If Democrats unite with him
so much the better. The association once be-
ship and trust. a~>o..
SYNOPSIS OF SUMMERS LETTER.
He addresses his correspondents as gentle.
men and fellow-citizens. He had delayed an
swering, that he might reflect and fully inform
himself He has listened to much from both
sides, but his best judgment is now in harmony
with his early conclusions. He is touched by
the appeal his correspondents make. He has
been the friend of their race, and is glad they
consider him the special advocate Of their
rights. They do him simple justice when
they believe that his counsel at this critical
juncture would be free from personal or par
tisan prejudice.
Mr.. Sumner contrasts the two candidates.
Greely was born in poverty and educated him
self in printing Office. Grant, fortunate in
early patronage, became cadet at West
Point, and was educated at the public ex-
pense. One started with nothing but industry
and character, the other with a military COM
mission. One was trained as civilian, the
other as a soldier. Horace Greeley stood
forth as a reformer and abolitionist. The
President enlisted as pro-slavery Democrat,
and at the election of James Buchanan, forti-
fed by his vote all the pretensions of slavery,
even the Dred Scott decision. 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 their rights. President Grant, except as q
soldier summoned by the terrible accident Of
war, never did anything against slavery, nor
has he at any time shown any sympathy with
the colored race. Horace Greeley earnestly
desired that colored citizens should vote, and
ably championed impartial suffrage, but Pres
ident Grant was on the other side Beyond
these contrasts which are marked, it cannot be
forgotten that Horace Greeley is a person Of
large heart and large understanding, trained
to support human rights. Mr.. Greeley's in
dustry, general knowledge, amiable nature
and above all honesty, which no suspicion has
touched, are maintained few of these things
appear in President Grant. His great success
in war cannot change his record toward the
colored people, while there are antecedents
showing that in the prosecution of his plans
he cares nothing for the colored race. Mr..
Sumner, prefacing that the story is painful,
but it must be told, gives the history Of San
Domingo and Hayti, where he outraged eight
hundred thousand blacks who we're engaged
in the great experiment of selfgovernment.
Here follows the history of the attempt at an
nexation: He alludes to the disrespect with
which Grant treated Fred Douglas, who, by
his invitation, was one Of the San Domingo
commissioners, and says that Grant has little
capacity or industry in protecting the colored
people, and in assuring peace at the South.
After violating the constitution and lnterna,
tional law to insult the black republic, and
setting an example of insubordination, he was
not in condition to rebuke law-breakers.
Mr.. Sumner then considers the present po-
sition of the candidates. Each was nominated
by a Republican convention; he lauds the
material composing the Cincinnati Conven.
ton. Comparing the character of the sup
porters of the two candidates, he says the
country knows too we'll the military ring, the
senatorial ring, the custom house ring, through
which the President acts such supporters are
very poor recommendation. He says it is
idle to say that Horace Greeley and the Re-
publicans which nominated him at Cincinnati
are any less Republican because the Democrats
unite with them in the support of cherished
principles and the candidate who represents
them.
Mr.. Sumner says, the hardihood Of political
falsehood reaches its extreme point, when 1t
is asserted that under Horace Greeley the
freedman will be reenslaved, or that colored
people will any way suffer in their equal
rights. On the contrary, they have in his
election not only the promises of the platform,
but also the splendid example for a full genera
ton, during which he has never wavered in
the assertion of their rights.
To suppose that Horace Greeley, when
placed where he can do them the most good,
will depart from the rule of his honest life, is
an INSULT to reason. 1t is none the less idle to
suppose that Democrats supporting Horace
Greeley expect or desire that he should depart
from those principles which are the glory ofhis
character. They have accepted the Cincin-
natl platform with two-fold promises, and in
tend in good faith to maintain it. Gentlemen,
in thus answering your two inquiries, l have
shown why you, as colored citizens, and also
all who would uphold your rights and save
the colored race from indignity, should refuse
to sanction the reelection of the President,
and put your trust in Horace Greeley. l
ought to add that with him will be associated
as Vice-P President Brown, whom | have known
for years as most determined abolitionist.
The two will carry into the national govern
ment an unswerving devotion to your rights,
not to be disturbed by partisan dictation or
sectional strife. Besides all this, which may
ftly guide you in determining between the two
candidates, it is my duty to remind you that,
as citizens of the United States, and part Of
the country, your welfare is indissolubly asso-
ciated with that of the whole country. Where
all are prosperous you will be gamers,
Therefore, whilejustly careful of your own
rights, you cannot be Indifferent to the bless
ings of good government. 1t is for you to
consider whether the time has not come for
something better than the sword, and whether
a character like Horace Greeley does not give
stronger assurance of good government than
can be found in the insulter of the colored
race, already famous for the rings about him,
and his plain inapitude for civil life,
Speaking now for myself, / have to say that
my vote will be given for Horace Greeley;
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