Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1872-08-13
BRISTOL VIRGINIA TENNESSEE TUESDAY, AUGUST 49, 1872 Whole

| trust will not betray the caCse
Senators and Representatives calling
themselves Republicans have beer
latterly in a large majority in botf
houses, but the fnal measure of civil
rights, to which you refer though
urged by me almost daily has failed to
become a law, less I fear from. Demo,
cratic opposition than from Republi.
can luke-warmness and the want oil
support in the President. The great
issue which the people are called to de-
eide in November, is on the President,
and nobody knows better than your
self that the House of Representatives
chosen at the same time, will natural
Iy harmonic with him. So it has
been in our history. Greeley involves
what | most desire.
With such a President, Congress
will be changed, for the first time
since the war. The equal rights OF
all will have declared representative
at the head of the government, whose
presence there will be of higher sig
nificance than that Of any victory III
war, being not oniy.a testimony, but
constant motive power in this great
cause. Opposition, whether open
hostility or mere subtle treachery will
yield to the steady influence of such a
representative, Therefore in looking
to the President, L look to Congress,
which will take its character in large
measure from him. In choosing HOr-
ace Greeley we do the best we can for
the whole Government, not only in
the Executive but in the Legislative
branch, while we decline to support
nepotism, repayment Of personal
gifts by official patronage, seizure of
the war powers, indignity to the black
republics also the various incapacity
exhibited by the President ard the
rings by which he governs, none of
which can you defend.
You know well that the rings are
already condemned by the American
people. For myself, I say plainly and
without hesitation, that prefer Hor-
ace Greeley with any Congress posi-
bic on the Cincinnati platform, to
President Grant with his pretenslons
and his pretentiOns and his rings,
vote for whom involves q support of
all his prentensions, prolonged power
in all the rings, There must be am
other influence and another example.
The Administrati' IL, in all its parts, is
impressed by the President. Let his
soul be enlarged with the sentiment of
justice, quickCned by industry, and
not only the two Houses of Congress
but the whole country viii feel the
irresistible authority OverSpreading,
permeating everywhere. ra-r
Therefore, in proportion as you are
earnest for the rights of the cOlOred
citizen and place them above all par
tizan triumph, you will he glad to sup
port the candidate whose heart has al
ways throbbed for humanity. The
country needs such motive power in
the White House. 1t needs a gene
rOus fountain there. In one word it
needs somebody different from the
present incumbent and no body knows
this better than speaker Blaine. The
personal imputatiOn you make upon
me Irepel with the Indignation of an
honest man. ....-r
l was a faithful supporter of the
President until somewhat tardily
awakened by his painful Conduct on
the Island of st Domingo question,
involving the seizure of the war pow
er in violation of the Constitution ard
the indignity to the Black Republic in
violation of international law, and
when | demonstrated against these IN
tOlerable outrages, was set upon by
those acting in his behalf.
Such is the origin Of my opposition,
| could not have less, without failure
in that duty which is, with me, the
rule of life. How can | doubt that
when partizan sentiments are less &C
tive, you will regret the wrong you
have done me. Meanwhile, | appeal
to the candid Judgment of
those who amidst all present differen-
ces of opinion, unite in the great OBJ
jeets far above party or President, to
which my life is devoted.
| am, sir, your obedient servant,
CHARLES SUMNER.
To TIE Hon. Sneaker RLnine-