The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-15

minica, which is the Spanish part Of the
island, sud shrinking 1t nothing, he began
by seiEnR the war powers Of the GoTern-
ment. in fragrant violation OF the Constitu.
tion, and then, at great expenditure OF
money, sent several armed ships OF the navy,
including monitors, to maintain the ueurper
Rsez in power, that through him he might
obtain the coveted prize: Not content with
strike at the independence Of tho black re-
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 hnrbor OF Pogt-au-prince with our
most powerful monitor, the Dictator, proper
ly named for this service, also the frigate Sc
vern as consort and other monitors in their
train, the Admiral, acting under instructions
from Washington, proceeded to the executive
mansion, accompanied by officers OF his
squadron, and then, pointing to tho great
war ships in sight from the windows, dealt
capture Hsytien ships. IE The President E atN was
black, not white. The Admiral would have
done no such thing to any white ruler, nor
would our country havo tolerated such me-
mace from any Government in the world.
Hero was indignity not only to the black re-
public, with its population of 800,0 600, but to
tho African race everywhere, and especially
in our own country. Nor did it end hero.
For months the navy Of the United States
was lowering ON the coast, keeping that in
suited people in constant anxiety, while Pre-
nident Grant was to them like a hawk sailing
IN tho air, and ready to swoop upon his prey
This heartless, cruel proceeding found q vic
tim among our white fellow citizens. An e1-
ccllcnt merchant Of Connecticut, praisel by
all who know him, was plunged into prison
by Baez, where he was immured because it
was feared be would write against tho treaty
OF annexion. and this captivity was prolonged
with the connivance Of two agents OF the Pre-
sident, one Of whom finds constant favor
with him, and is part Of the military ring i'm
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.
confess my trials. as was called to wit
ness these things. Always supporter OF the
Administration, and eincerely desiring to
labor with it, had never uttered a 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 I saw the
breach Of all law, human and divine, that
was aroused, and then began the angerof the
President and Of his rings. military and sena-
them. besides being hu1nbled that the great
republic, acting through it's President. could
set such an example, whero the National
Constitution, International law and humanity
were all sacrificed. Especially was 1 moved
when cav the indignity to the colored race
which was accomplished by trampling upon
fundamental principle Of international law,
Declaring the equality OF nations, as our De-
claration Of Indepe ndence declares tho equal
ity OF men. This terrible transaction, which
nobody can defend, is among the "antece-
dents" of President Grant, from which you
can Judge how much the colored race can rely
upon his 'he artfelt sJmpAthies.' Nor can it
be forgotten, that shortly afterward, on the
return of the commission from this island,
Hon. Frederick ouglass. the colored orator,
accomplished in manners as in eloquence, was
thrust away from the company nf tho COM
missoners at the common table Of the mail
packet on the Potomac, almost within sight of
the Executive Mansion, simply OIL account of
his color; but the President, at whose invita-
rion he had Joined the commission, never ut
tered word in condemnation OF this exclu.
zion, and whom entertaining the returned
commissioners at dinner, carefully omitted
time, and thus repeated the indignity. Other
things might be mentioned showing tho sym
pathies of the President, but cannot forget
the civil rights bill, which is tho cap. stone Of
entitled, without distinction of color. Presi-
dent Grant, who could lobby 30 assiduously
for his St. Domingo scheme, full of wrong to
tho colorcd racc, could do nothing for this
Of Congress, it was discussed constantly, and
the colored people everywhere hung upon tho
debate. but there was no word of "heartfelt
sympathy from the President. Atlast, just be-
letter to meeting OF colored fellow citizens
in Washington, called to advance this cause,
where he avoided the question, by declaring
himself in favor OF 'the exercise Of those
IlBntb LO WHICH 6feIy CltlZeu buOulQ Do Justly
entitled" leaving it uncert ain whether 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 this
bill, but nobody has lisped against President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedents," deem it my duty
to mention the little capacity or industry OF
the President in protecting colored people
aud in assuring peace at the South. Nobody
can doubt that email portion OF the effort
and earnest will even without the lobbying
80 freely given to the San Domingo scheme.
would have averted those Ku Klux outrages
which we deplore. 80 that there would have
been no pretence for further legislation by
Congress-. But he was disabled both by cha
racter and tho drawback OF his own conduct.
After violating the Constitution and interna-
tiOnal law to insult the black republic, and
setting an example of insubordinatiop, he
was not In condition TO rebuke law br eakcrs.
II. Passing from ''antecedents," I come
now to tho spresent position" OF the two can
didates, which is the subject of your next in
qury. II in any former particulars the two
are on an equality yet in all substantial re-
spects the obvious advantage is with Horace
Greeley. Each WAS nominated By Republi- |
can convention, one at Cincinnati and the |
other at Philadelphia, 30 that in this respect
they may seem to be on an equality. But it
will not fail to be observed that the conven- |
tion at Cincinnati was composed OF able and