Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-10-10

perious temper into q temporary mis-
judgment. But that he could, under
the influence of personal limitations, be
SO blinded or SO dishonest as to deliber-
ately and persistently counsel the col
ored men of the nation to use their
newly acquired right of suffrage to rein
state their lifelong enemies and op-
pressors in the control of the Govern
ment, is to me the strangest phenomenon
of these latter days. So
That privilege which he advises them
to put to such fragrant misuse has been
acquired by and for them at infinite cost
of life and treasure. Its bestowal has
been resisted by the Democratic party,
step by step, in the halls of legislation
and on the field of battle. 1t has been
well pointed out by Mr.. Blaine in his
letter to Mr.. Sumner, that, even at the
last session, the Democratic party voted
solid in Congress, again and again, in
opposition to Mr.. Summers own efforts
to secure and perfect the civil and po-
litical rights of the freedmen. Notwith.
standing his absurd claim that great
light has suddenly shone round about
thewhole Democratic party, and brought
them from darkness into a marvellous
illumination, every man in his senses
knows that, as whole, they are abso-
lutely unchanged and unrepentant, and
as hostile to the Acknowledgement and
elevation of the colorsd race to-day as
they were at the beginning of the rebel
lion. The utterances of their prominent
men and leading presses afford abund-
ant evidences of this, and any man may
satisfy himself of its truth by inquiry
of the first score of Democrats he meets.
This being VIGOROUSLY so, the blindness
of political ipfatuation and ungoverna-
BILE rage of personal affronts, fancied or
real, are barely sufficient to explain
Mr.. Summers advice to the colored peo-
pie to aid in restoring 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
sophistries of their special patron if
they could be, and thus be induced to
pr sstitute their right of suffrage, it
would be the strongest proof yet found
that they are disqualified for its enjoy
ment.
1t is matter of deep regret that per-
sonal feelings seem to be extending go
large an influence upon the course of
public men in these days. 1t is true that
some of our statesmen have suffered
from injustice and want of recognition.
But these are frequently recurring incl
dents in all political history, and es-
pecially Of periods Of reform and strug-
gle, and ought not to blast the faith
or chill the enthusiasm of any true pa
triot.
Your letter, my dear sir, and many
similar ones which have received, have
led me to believe that my views may be
considered of some Importance by some
who have continued to hold me in kind
remembrance.
Let me say, therefore, in conclusion,
that | am now retired from active par
ticipation in the affairs of the country,
but desire to assure all my friends that
remain faithful to the settled princi-
Piles of my public life. l still retain a
deep interest in the great questions of
civil liberty which first arrested the
serious attention of the country at the
opening of my Congressional career.
These questions have since been de-
bated fercely in the forum, and even
submitted to the bloody arbitrament OF
arms. They have not been finally ad.
justed, but are on the eve of settlement,
as fondly believe, by the reelection OF
Gen. Grant and the complete victory of
the principles of the Republican party.
Very respectfully, your obedient
| servant, JOHN P. HALE.