The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-10-26

and principles of pub bile policy. /
can, therefore, readily understand
that Mr.. Sumner might be betray-
ed by his wounded vanity and i'm
perious temper into temporary
misjndment. But that he could,
under the influence of personal ir-
ritations, be so blinded or 90 dis
honest a. to deliberately and per-
sistently council the colored men
of the nation, to use their newly &C
quired right of suffrage to re-in-
state their life-long enemies and
oppressors in the control OF the
Government, is to me the strang
est phenomenon of these latter
days.
That privilege which he advises
them to put to such fragrant mis-
use has been acquired by. and for
them at infinite cost of life and
treasure. It's betowal has been re-
sisted by the Democratic party,
step by step, in the halls of Iegis-
lation aud on the field of battle.
1t has been well pointed out BY
Mr.. Blaine in his letter to Mr.. Sum-
ner, that, even at the last session,
the Democratic party voted solid
in Congress again and agair, in op-
position to Mr.. Summers own ef-
forts to secure and perfect the civil
and political rights of the freed
men. Notwithstanding his absurd
claim that . great light has sud
denly shone round about the whole
Democratic party, and brought
them from darkness into marvel
GUS illumination, every man in his
senses knows :hat, as whole,
they are absolutely unchanged and
unrepentant, and as hostile to the
enfraAchisement aud elevation of
the colored race to-day as they
were at the beginning of the rebel
lion. The utterances of their
prominent men and leading press~
| es afford abundant evidences Of this
and any man may satisfy himself
| of its truth by inquiry of the first
score of Democrats he meets This
being notoriously so, the blindness
| of political infat,iation and ungov-
ernable rage Of personal affronts,
fancied OF real, are barely sufficient
to explain Mr. Summers advice to
the colored people 10 aid in restor-
ing these men to power. Happily,
all the signs Of the times show that
the colored men are in no danger
of being deceived by the sophis-
tries of their special patron; if they
could be, and thus be induced to
prostitute their right of suffrage, it
would be the strongest proof yet
found that they are disqualified fol-
its enjoyment.
1t is a matter of deep regret that
personal feelings seem to be ex-
tending SO large an influence upon
the course of public men in these
days. 1t is true that some of oui
statesmen have suffered from injus-
tice and want OF recognition. But
these are frequently recurring in
cidents in all political history, and
especially of periods of reform and
struggle, and ought not to blast thu
faith or chill the enthusiasm of any
true patriot.
Your letter. my dear sir, ani
many similar ones which hav,
received, have led me to believ'
that my views may DO considered
of somc Importance by some VIII
have continued to hold me in kint
remembrance.
Let me say, therefore, in conclu
sion. that am now retired fron
active participation in the affair
of the country, but / desire to as
:. sure all my friends that | renal
faithful to the settled principles Q
, my public life. / still retain q dee
interest in the great questions {
civil liberty which first arrested til
: serious attention OF the country q
J the opening of my Congression'
career.
These questions have since bee
debated fiercely in the forum, an
even submitted to the arbitramel
of arms. They have not been fir
? ally adjusted, but are on the eve {
!. settlement, as fondly believe, b
9 the reelection of Gen. Grant an
c the complete victory of the prime
pies of the Republican party.
n Very respectfully, your obediel
It servant, JOHN T. HALE.
-. , !,