The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-06

minica, which is. the Spanish part ef the
island, and shrinking at nothing, he began
Dy seizing the war powGrs Ut the Govern
mens IN hagrant vioistien ot tho Gonstitu:
money, sent several armed ships Of tie navy, ,,
including monitors, to maintain the usurper
bsez IN power, that through him he might
obtain the coveted prize. Not content with
s14ks aSs he to
public by, open menace Of war and all with!
out the sanction OF Congress-, to which is
committed the war making power. Sailing
into the hnr6or OF Portau; PRINCE with our
ly named for this service, also the Gfgate Be-
vern as oonBort and other monitors In their
train, the Admiral, acting under instructions
from Washington, proceeded to the executive
mansion, accompanied by officers Of his
tquadron, and then. pointing to the great
war chips in sight from the windows, dealt
his menace Of war, threatening to sink or
capture Haytien ships. The President was
done no such thing to any white ruler, nor
would our country have tolerated suoh me-
mace from any Government in the world.
Here was s'indignity not Only to the black re-
the African race everywhere, and especially
In our own country. Nor did 1t end here.
For months the navy OF the United States
was hover1ng on the coast, keeping that in
suited people in constant anxiety, while Pre-.
sident ttrant was to them like hawk sailing
in the air, and ready to swoop upon his prey.
This heartless, cruel proceeding found VIC
tim among our white fellow-citizeny. A &
collent merchant OF Connecticut, praise: by
all who know him, was plunged into prison
by BaGz, where he was immured because it
WAS feared be would write against the trea
OF anne 1ion. and this Ca ptivity was prolonged
with the conniyance OF two sgents OF tho Pre-
sident, one Of whom fnds constant favor
with him, and 10 part Of the military ring i'm
mediatcly about him. That such an outrage
could go unpunished shows the little regard
OF the President Tor human rights, whether
confess my trials, as was called to wit
ness these things. Afways supporter Of the
Administration, and sincerely desiring to
labor with it, had never uttered word with
regard to it except in kindness. My early op-
position to the treaty OF annexation was re.
served, 80 that for some time my opinions
were unknown. 1t WAS only when 1 saw the
breach OF al law, human and divine. that 1
was Ta.9 aroused, and then began the anger Of the
torial. Devoted to the African race, felt for
them. besides being humbled that the great
republic, acting through its President, could
set such an example, where the National
Constitution, international law and humanity
were all sacrificed. Especially was moved
when 1 saw the indignity to the colored race
which was accomplished by trampling upon
ornamental principle Of International law,
claration OF Independence declares the eounl-
ity Of men. This terrible transaction, which
nobody oan defend, is among the "antece.
dents" of President Grant, from which you
upon his Heartfelt sympathies." Nor can Il
be forgotten, that shortly afterward, on the
return OF the commission from this island.
Hon. Frederick ouglass, the colored orator,
thrust away from the company of the com
missioners at the common liable of the m all
packet on the Potomac, almost within sight of
the Executive Mansion, simply OH account of
ms color; put the President, at whose invita-
tion he had joined the commission, never ut
tercd word in condemnation OF this exclu-
sion, and when entertaining the returned
commissioners at dinner, carefully omitted
MIR. Douglass. who Was in Washington at the
time. and thus repeated the indignity. Other
things might be mentioned showing tho sym.
pathes Of the President, but I cannot forget
the civil rights bill, which is the oap.stone of
that equality before the law to which all are
entitled, without distinction OF color Presi-
dent Grant. who could lobby so assiduously
for his st. Domingo soheme full OF wrong to
tho colored race, could do nothing for this
benehoent measure. During long session
OF congress, 1t was discussed constantly, and
the colored people everywhere hung upon the
debate. but there was no word of "heartfelt
sympethy from the President. At last just be-
lore the nominating convention, he addressed
letter to a meeting OF ooiored fellow. citizens
in Washington. called to advance this cause.
where he avoided the question, by declaring
himself in favor Of ''the exercise of those
rights to which every citizen should be justly
entitled" leaving 1t uncertain whether cUlored
people are justly entitled to the righte se-
cnred by the pending bill. understand that
Horace Greeley has already been assailed by
an impracticable Democrat as friendly to this
bill, but nobody has lisped against President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedents," deem it my tluty
to mention the little capacity or industry Il
the President in protecting colored people
and in assuring peace at tho South. Nobody
can doubt that small portion OF the effort
and earnest will, even without tho lobbying
80 freely given to the San Domingo scheme.
would have averted those Ku Klnx outrages
which we deplore, 30 that there would have
been no pretence for further legislation by
Congress. But he was disabled both by cha
recter and the drawback OF his own conduct.
After violating the Constitution and interna-
tional law to insult the black republic. and
setting an example OF insubordination, he
was not in condition TO rebuke law. bre akers,
II. Passing from "sntecedents," como
now to the "present position" OF the two can.
didates, which is the subject OF your next in.
quiry. II in any former particulars the two
are on an equality, yet in all substantial re-
apects tho obvious advantage is With Horace
Greeley. Each was nominated by q Republi-