The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-11

minioa, which is the Spanish part Of, the
island, aud shrinking at nothing. he began
mont. in fagrant violation. of the Oonstitu.
| tion, and then, he great expenditure Of
money, sent oeveral armed ships Of the navy,
| including monitors, to maintain the nsurper
Bsez in power, that through him he might
| obtain the coveted prize. Not content with
! this audacious Dictatorship, he proceeded to
| etrike at the independence Of the black re.
public by open menace OF war, and all with
out tho sanction OF Congress, to which is
committed tho war making power. Sailing
into tho hnrbor OF Port-au- Prince with our
most powerful monitor, the Dictator, proper
ly named for this service, also the frigate Sc
train, the Admiral, acting under instructions
from Washington, proceeded to tho executive
mansion, accompanied by officers OF his
squadron. and then, pointing to the great
war ships in sight from the windows, dealt
his menace of war, threat ening TO sink or
capture Haytien ships. The President was
black, not white. The Admiral would have
done no such thing to'sny white ruler, nor
would our country have tolerated such me-
mace from any Government in tho world.
Here was indignity not only to tho black re-
public, with itH population OF 800.0 600, but to
the African race every where, and especially
in our own country. Nor did it end hero.
For months tho navy OF the United States
was lowering on the coast, Keeping that in
suited people in constant anxiety, while Pre-
sidcnt Grant was to them like hawk sailing
in the air, and RI ady 20 swoop upon his prey.
! This hcartlose, cruel proceeding found vie
tim among our white fcllow-ctlzens. An Gx-
cellcnt merchant of Connecticut, praise: by
all who know Linn, was plunged into prison
by Ea.z, where he WAS itumured bccanec it
was feared he would write against the treaty
of annexion, and this captivity was prolonged
sident, one OF whom finds constant favor
with him, and is part of tho military ring ini-
mediately about him. That such an outrage
could go unpunished shows the littlo regard
of the President for human rights, whether
in white or black.
! I.confeas my trials, as WAS called to wit
ness these things. Always a supporter of the
Administration. and sincerely desiring to
regard to it except in kindness. My early op-
position to the treaty OF annexation was re-
served, 80 that Tor some time my opinions
were unknown. 1t was only when saw the
| breach OF all law, human and divine, that
was aroused, and then began the anger Of the
President and Of his rings. military and sena-
torial. Il Deyoted to the African race, felt for
them. besides being humbled that the great
republic, acting through its President, could
get such an example, where the National
Constitution, international law and humanity
were all sacrificed, Especially was moved
when cav the indignity to the colored race
fundamental principle Of international law,
declaring the eonality of nations, as our De-
olsration of independence declares tho equal
ity of men. This terrible transaction, which
|
dents' of President Grant, from which you
can Judge how much the coloted race can rely
upon his heartfelt sy sympathies." Nor can it
be forgotten, that shortly afterward, on the
Hon. Frederick 6uglaas, the colored orator,
accomplished in manners as in eloQuenco, was
thrust away from the company If the COM
missioneis at tho common table Of tho mail
packet on the Potomac, almost within sight OF
the Executive Mansion, simply on account OF
his color; but the President at whose invita-
tion he had joined the commission, never ut
tered word in condemnation OF this exclu.
commissioners at dinner, carefully omitted
Mr.. Douglass, who was In Washington at the
time. and thus repeated the indignity. Other
things might be mentioned showing tho sym.
the civil rights bill, which is the cap stone OF
that equality before the law to which all are
entitled, without distinction OF color. Presi-
dent Grant. who @; uld lobby so assiduously
the coloted race, could do nothing for this
benefcent measure. During long session
OF Congress, it was discussed constantly, and
the colored people everywhere hung upon the
sympathy from the President. Atlast, just be-
fore the nominating convention, he addressed
q letter to meeting otcolored fellow-citizens
in Washipgtog, called to advance this cause,
Sn IN fsSoH aIsSss By o n,s
rights to which every citizen should be Justly
entitled" leavingi it uncertain VIII ether colored
people arc justly entitled to the rights se-
cured by the pending bill. understand that
Horace Greeley has already been assailed by
an impracticable' Democrat as friendly to th.
bill, but nobody has iieped ag ainst Prosidant
Grant on this account. - .
! Among. Want ecedents," deem it my uUt y
to mention tho little capacity or indust y III
the President In protecting colored T. 6plc
| and in assuring peace at the South. Nobody
can doubt that q asmall portion Of the eflort
and earnest will, even without the lobbying
80 freely given to tho San Domingo scheme.
would have Averted those Ku Klux outrages
which VIC deplore, 80 that thero would have
been no pretence for further legislation by
| Congress. But he Was disabled both by cha
! ractcr and the drawback OF his own conduct.
After violating the Constitution and interna-
tional law to insult tho black republic, and
setting an example of characterization, he
was not in condition to rebuke iaw-breakers.
| ii. Passing from "anteccdcnts," ! come
| now to tho ''prcsent position" OF the two can
| didatcs, which is tho subject 0f your next in l.
| quiry. Ii in any former particulars the two
arc on an equality, yet in all substantial ro-
spects tl;o obvious advantage Ia with Horace
Greeley. Each Was noninatcd by liepubli-
! can convention, one at Cincinnati and the
other at Philadelphia, 30 that in this respcct
they may seem to DO on an equality. But it
will not fail to bo observed that the conycn-
| tiOn at Cincinnati was composed OF n5le and
! acknowledged kepublicanr. many Of whom
have acted with the party from it's first for.
| nation, who, without previous organization,
c9me together voluni ari]y for the sal ks q. re-
IL