The weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1872-1882, 1872-09-07

: PRESIDENT GIANT AND THE CoL0RED
i PEOPLE.
:. Frederick Douglass, the coloret
!, orator and writer, has again demon
strated his ability as a leader by hi
last letter addressed, ITO the Col
J, ored People of the United States,'
wherein he takes issue with the fol
lowers Of Mr.. Greeley regarding
their assertion that General Grant
> is not friend of the colored race.
Mr.: Douglass, after stating that
the Greeleyites "are declaring thai
the President is net a friend of the
race" says. Il must declare that
President Grants course, FROM the
beginning of the war to the present
time, is without a word or deed to
Justify such an assertion"
| General Grant, finding that his
lines contained large numbers of
colored men, women and children,
issued an order, November IL, 1862,
on his own authority, and before the
Emancipation Proclamation, an order
providing for the safety and COM
fort, appointing IN officer to look
after interests, set the able-bodied
at work, and care for and feed all,
but especially the aged, in6rm, and
sick, and ordering ration and clothing
issued to them.
Mr.. Douglass fitly says: ''Here
was the full germ of the Freedmen's
Bureau apparent in the orders of
General Grant before the emancipa-
ton proclamation, not as a theory
but a practical solution of the sla-
very question, and in the interest
of the welfare of all concerned.
If he thinks General Grant was
not a friend of his race, could he
find time in all the busy scenes about
him to think out this greatproblem,
which then was engaging close
thought on the part Of those whose
lives had been devoted to the &C.
complement Of abolishing slavery?
He points with a heartily pride to
the order of General Grant in the
spring Of 1863, after the Govern
ment had decided to organize col
ored troops, in which he says:
"All commanders will exert them
selves, X X not only in organizing |
colored regiments and rendering |
them efficient, but also in removing |
prejudice against them;' and adds,
"Was this opposing the organization
of these troops2
Referring to extracts from various
letters and speeches Of the Presi-
dent he quotes from the message to
Congress announcing the rati6ca-
ion of the fifteenth amendment,
II call the attention OF the newly
enfranchised race to the importance
Of striving to make themselves
worthy 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,
rom forign ministers to messen-
gers, according to intelligence and
character of applicants. Il
He urges upon the attention of
he oolored people the firm enforce
nent Of the Kuklux law. which has
lone SO much to bring peace and 1
'afety to the colored man in those =.
ocalities where that dreaded Or 8
yanization held control. And stat =
ng that he had entered on q full =
examination of the record of Gen. t
raj Grant as a friend of the colored +
ace, says, II closed the inquiry, !
satisfied that with Gene {
al Grant at the head of the country
70 ore assured not only of our rights
ut our privileges"
He states his personal relations ::
nth the Prsident to be kindly and :.
ordial, and believes that few men =
an equal him in stating facts with =. -
reater clearnees or Auency and ~
,outs the idea advanced by his q
pennies, that being q man of few n
'orde, he is also a man Of few G
leaa |C
He disposes Of the story that = =
|enerel Grant did not aak him to Il
ina s1ssfh ffinn IN tha v.oAr,vv, Rs,f.,,, n