The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-22
Summers Advice to the Colored People.
WASHINGTON, d. C., July 20, i

WASHINGTON, d. c.. July 20, 1872.
GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW CITIZENS:
am touched by the appeal you make. 1t is
true that am the friend OF your race, and
am glad to be assured that in your opinion
have held consistent course in the Senate
and elsewhere as the special advocate of your
rights. That course, by the blessing OF God,
mean to hold SO long as life lasts. l know
your infinite wrongs, and feel them as for my
own. You only do me simple Justice when
you add belief that my counsel, at this criti-
cal juncture OF your citizenship, would be free
from personal feelings and partisan prejudice.
In answering your inquiries. can have no
feeling except for your good, which most
,. anxiously seek; nor can any prejudice OF any
too solemn. Especially is there no room for
personal feeling or for partisan prejudice.
No man or party can expect power except for
the general welfare; therefore, they must be
brought to the standard OF truth, that they
may be seen in life and act You are right in
saying that the choice for the Presidency ia
now narrowed down to President Graht OF
Horace Greeley. One of these Is to be taken;
and, assuming my acquaintance with both,
and my observation OF their lives, you invite
my judgment between them, asking me espe-
cially which OF the two, judging from their
antecedents, as we'll as present position,
would enforce the Constitution and laws, &C.
curing your civil and political rights, with the
most heartfelt sympathy and the greatest
vigor. Here remark that, in this inquiry,
you naturally. put your rights in the fore
that the best interests OF the whole country
are associated with the completest recognition
OF your rights, 80 shat he two races sh all live
together in unbroken harmony. I also re-
mark that you call attention to two things,
the "antecedents' of the two candidates; and
secondly. their ''present position" You wish
to know from these which gives assurance Of
the most heartfelt sympathy and greatest
other words, which, judging by the past, will
be your trueet friend.
The communication with which you have
honored me is not alone. Colored fellow.citi-
zens in other parts of the country, I may say
| in nearly every State of the Union, have made
| q similar request, and some complain that
| have thus far kept silent. lam not insensible
| to this appeal. But il my opinion is given, it
In this spirit answer your inquiries, begin
ming with the antecedents Of the candidates.
| l. Horace Greeley was born to poverty and
educated himself in q printing office. Presi'
came cadet at West Point, and was educat-
ed at the public expense. One started with
nothing but industry and character; the
other started with military commission.
One WAS trained as a civilian; tho other ae a
soldier. Horace Greeley stood forth as re-
former and Abolitioniat. President Grant en-
listed as pro-slavery Democrat, and, at the
election Of James Buchanan, fortified by his
| vote all the pretensions Of slavery, including
the Dred Scott decision. Horace 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 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 i'm.
partial suffrage; but President Grant was on
the other side. Beyond these contrasts, which
are marked it cannot be forgotten tn at Horace
Greeley ia a person OF large heart and large
understanding, trained to the support OF
human rights, always beneficent with the
poor, always ready for any good cause, and
never deferred by opposition or reproach, as
when for long years he befriended your peo.
pie. Add to these qualities, conspicuous in
his life, untiring industry, which leaves no
moment without it's fruit-abundant.p political
knowledge with history-the
instinct and grasp OF craftsmanship pan
amlable nature-a magnanimous soul, and,
above I'LL, an honesty which no suspicion has
touched, and you havo a brief portraiture
OF what are the antecedents Of Horace Gree
ley. Few Of these things appear in the Pre-
sident. His great success in war, and the
honors he has won, cannotIchange tho record
OF his conduct toward your people, especially
In contrast with the lifetime fidelity OF his
competitor, while there are unhappy "anto-
cedents" showing that in the prosecution OF
his plans he careH nothing for the colored
race. The story is painful, but it must be told.
refer to the outrage he perpetrated upon
Hayti, with it's 100000 blacks, engaged in
the great experiment OF self-governmont.
Hero iB most instructive "antecedent," re-.
vealing beyond question his true nature, and
the whole is attested by documentary evil
4 ;x,;r no dor of