New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-07-18
Letter from New York.
DRYDEN, ToMpKINs Co., y. V,
.lulN II 1870

July II, 1872.
To tie Editor cEHe Nc,o Natioaal Era:
DEAR SIR: We, indeed, see a new de-
parture, not only in the politics of the coun-
try, but in men which we had the fond hope
OF retaining among lis as good sound Repub-
Leans, and who would not be baffed nor ca
joled by the caprices of few men who have
vainly sought to rule or ruin the grand Re-
publican party, or make the present Admin
istration subserve some one-sided idea. And
in failing to do this their next best endeavor
is to seek to estrange the colored men from
their natural allegiance which they, in my
humble opinion, owe to the regular organiZa-
ton known as the Republican, not Liberal
nor Democratic party, rs neither of the last
named parties have any reason to expect the
colored voters to respond to their call with
any manimity, simply because Mr. Greeley
has chosen a NEW departure" or any other
man or set of men chooses to depart from
their old friends and lifelong associates, and
strike hands with their well-known enemy,
and rs last resort quote all the applause of
the same men who but short time ago were
ready to have their " hearts blood" for up
brading them for not standing loyal to the
country. But how now is the matter fixed
up? why, by a few of such men as Judge
Trumbull, Carl Schurz, Greeley, and perhaps
a few others, saying we'll, we must do some
thing, anything to beat Grant, if we have to
affiliate with the Democrats. On the 10th of
July, at 1850 p. NJ, the Democrats swallowed
this heavy dose of emetic.
Well, Baltimore has had big time of it
for one week. If her peaceable inhabitants
can survive this one, | am inclined to the be-
lief that they are good Christians On the
memorable days, as follows, the Sth inst the
great letter of VIM. NJ. Saunders, declining
to serve as an elector at large for the State
of Maryland, and then again, on the 9th, the
sO-called Democratic Convention. | am
sorry that my friend Saunders did not learn
before, that the Democratic party was our
true friends, as they demonstrated that fact
during the entire rebellion, by trying to pre-
vent cOlored men from entering the field as
soldiers Of this Republic; also in his own be-
loved State, by Withholding from the colored
DemocratS had the power in the Legislature
to confer that boon upon them, but no! that
could not be done, and when that right be-
came a part of the Constitution of the United
States, his State, (Maryland) if my memory
serves me right, failed to ratify the fifteenth
amendment, and in the face of all this mir.
So comes over to the Democratic party to
assist them on to victory. If Mr.. Greeley
should tie a milestone about his neck and
charter tug and go down the Chesapeake
bay and jump over, wonder if he, "Mr. -
would follow suite. Yet, if " Mr.. s." thinks
that it is wisdom to follow in the wake of the
Democratic party and their new born leaders,
so be it; but do not calculate that the mass
of cOlored voters is ready to yield up to the
tempter, for in my humble Judgment the mass
of the Democratic party has forever denied
all humane feeling, men and even women,
for talking of or thinking about the freedom
and elevation of our race. But some one
says, have not the Democrats accepted the
Cincinnati platform? Why, yes, they have
but if they feel so much reverence all ut once
for the Republican platform, why not adopt
the straight-out Republican platform? If
they intend to be honest why beat about the
bush so much: Does Mr.. Saunders, or any
other cOlored man believe that the Demo-
cratic party will so any farther to give the
black man his rights than the Republican
party has done? Or, again, has President
Grant shown any disposition to trample or
+bo Nf l. D
If not, let us be frank and praise him for his
virtues, and hope that he may still do better
for another four years, as l sincerely believe
that there are enough Republicans left in the
ranks to elect him. Perhaps, and there is
not any doubt, but what Mr.. Grant has made
some mistakes by way of appointment, which
any President is liable TO do, and for this, are
We, as a prOtege of the Republican party for
the past seven years, to attempt to destroy it
after they have given us all the rights and
privileges which all men can and do enjoy.
We are aware that many (seemin9ly good
men have deserted our party for some am
bilious end and may attain that end. Never
theless, believe it to be our imperative duty
to stand by our friends in the time of need,
and not be swayed by every political vein
nor for the promise of gain. If the Repub-
lican party had deserted the colored people
in 1870, and had not ratified the fifteenth
amendment, then it would have been time
enough for a political change in the colored
ranks, and not until then. The world would
look on us as being very ungratefnl and false
to our principles and declarations should we
not stand by the Republican party and give
it our maiden or national vote for the first
time. But l suppose as times change so
will men and principles, either for veal or
woe.
The Ladies' for Grant.