Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-08-09
WILMINGTON, DBL.
Friday Afternoon. August 8.
DEMOCRATIC MAINTENANCE OF THE
RIGHTS OF COLORED MEN.

Among the very first principles laid down In
the Cincinnati Baltimore platform, is one mann
tanning and guaranteeing the rights OF the
colored people. Equality-ciyil and politisal-is
contemplated by it, and were practical applica-
ton made Of the principle, colored men would,
to-day, be found in the enjoyment of the same
rights and privileges in the Democratic party
which they receive at the hands Of the Republi-
can. That is to say, they would be represented
upon the party committees, would be welcome
participants in the same meetings, would be con-
suited in matters affecting the party veal and
would share in tho successes and reyerses OF the
party.
All Of these privileges were conferred upon
the colored people by the Republicans immedi-
ately after their citizenship, and they have since
continued in an uninterrupted enjoyment of
them. They were received upon an equal foot
ing with any other member Of the party, and
their influence has been and is as potential as
that OF any other member wheret hey have dis
played the ability to comprehend and direct poll
tical movements When, therefore, the Demo-
cratic party promulgates that it will ''maintain
and guarantee these rights eyermore, we rea-
sonably look for some practical application oil
the principle-some living evidence Of the faith
which they say is in them. We naturally expect
to see the Democratic right hand Of fellowship
extended across the ''chasm" to the colored
people, and to hear them welcomed with true
hospitality into the Democratic fold-to find the
names of colored men upon their State Central
and Executive Committees, and to behold their
influence exerted in the building up Of the party
But what are the facts Is there a single col
ored man, anywhere, who has been admitted in
to the confidence of the Democratic party z
who is consulted with regard to the party move
ments who assists in directing the party ma
ehinery 2 or who holds any position of profit or
trust within the gift Of the party We survey
the political field in vain. We are aware Of no
such instance on record. There is none. The
Democratic party has never made good its
pledge to " maintain" those rights on the con-
trary, it complains that the Republicans see fit
to do so. Here is the Gazette, at home, which
proclaims that Republicans 'cannot help feeling
that they were debasng themselves, and uniting
in cause calculated to effect a result which will
be injurious if successful, when speaking of
public meeting, recently held to ratify the nom
nations, in which white and colored Republican,
alike mingled. And further, in the call for
ratification meeting which is to be held at Dover
on Tuesday next, none but "white men " ar,
invited.
Ia the face Of such facts as these, neither
Charles Summers cajoleries nor Horace Gree
ley's record will avail to convince the colore,
men of the sincerity of the Democratic purpos
in the PRONUNCIATION of this principle. The
know full we'll that the party has always bee
antagonistic to such doctrine that it's conye
sion has been too sudden to work deep al
lasting change of heart, and they are as ful
persuaded that the promise will never be vel
fed. In fact, Governor White, the Democrat
Executive Of Maryland, confesses that the Der
ocrats have abandoned none of their principle
and have taken Greeley and the Cincinna
platform for temporary purposes" alone, viii
the N. Y. World proclaims that the " election
Horace Greeley means Democratic Cabinet,
Democratic Congress and Democratic State Go
ernments.' John OByrne may well clai
"comprehsnsveness" for the Democratic pls
form. 1t comprehends everything, but is nev
practically applied to ANYTHING.