davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
To Hit fla Deer and Miss ifa Calf

Mr.. GREELEY's explanation or apology for
refusing to ''sign the call for the Philadelphia
Convention" was, that it would have COM
mitted him to its sentiments and to the &C.
ton Of the convention. A few days after he
attached his name to the call for the conven-
ton of boilers at Cincinnati. The is honest
in giving the reasons he does for his course in
the first case, of course he considers himself
committed to the free trade or "revenue re-
form" sentiments of the Cincinnati Conven-
ton. And yet he has felt compelled to as
sert that in putting his name to the bogus
Republican call he neither approved the free
trade views it expressed nor pledged himself
to the action of the convention. He there
fore occupies the remarkable position of hav-
ing publicly declared that to have signed the
regular Republican call would have commit
ted him to the principles of the call and the
nominees of the convention, while his sigma
ture to the bogus Republican Convention i'm
plies no such obligation!
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
Esn1ncipatiOn!

Tuesday, the 10th Of April, day to go
down in history with the Fourth of July to
be celebrated by our people with bon-fires
and professions, the firing of cannon, and
other festivities, was observed in this city
with such demonstration as its momentous
Importance deserved.
As our paper was about ready for press
before receiving the proceedings, we have
only time this week to say that the cere-
monies Of this anniversary of the emancipa-
ton Of our race were most successful and
gratifying, and that they were worthy of the
great occasion. Everything--the procession,
the speakers, music, &c.--were of a charac-
ter which proved that the hearts of the people
were in it, and that they fully appreciated
the momentous event which the celebration
commemorated. We shall give full proceed
ings next week.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
FOR THE CAMPAIGN.

:. It is the intention of the publishers of the
New NATIONAL ERA to make ii desirable as
q campaign paper as well as useful otherwise
as journal. Published at the political cen
TIRE of the nation it is in position that can,
and viii, be made Of value to its readers.
Reaching a. it does, the centres of political
influence in the South and among the ONE
MILLION colored voters of that section, this
journal will be found valuable ally to the
Republican party. We offer to campaign
clubs throughout the country the New Ma
TIoNAL ERA from April l, 1872, to December
/, 1872, S copies for Sc; 10 copies for sl0 !;
or 100 copies for $50.
Before old subscribers indebted to us can
avail themselves of this offer arrearages must
be paid.
az T. Address,
it5t FREDERICK DOUGLASS, JR.,
Lock Box 81.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
Libelers Self Convicted.

The ravenous crew of office-hunters who
are baying at the heels of Gen. GRANT are
as INSCRIPTIONS as they are hungry, and men
dacious as they are noisy. Though those of
them who, to the misfortune and disgrace of
the country, have found their way into the
United States Senate, have devoted all their
time and ingenuity in arraigning the Presi-
dent for offences that are the invention OF
their own brain, and have procured the APP
pointment of thirteen or fourteen special COM
mittees to investigate their villainous charges
at an expense of hundreds of thousands of
dollars to the taxpayers, not one of them,
or anything rejecting in the remotest degree
upon him or his administration, has been
proved. The Seneca sand stone libel, the
French arms sales, they New York Custom
House, the alleged frauds of the Secretary Of
the Navy, the San Domingo affair, and
scores of others have been investigated, and
all proved to be destitute of shadow of
foundation. Instead of involving the Presi-
dent in any corrupt practices, the examina-
ton has covered the authors of the charges
with ignominy, by showing that they are will
full and malicious slanderers. From the
highest to the lowest, they stand before the
country convicted libelers. Their own COM
mittees on their own testimony and the evil
dence of their own witnesses have convicted
them, and they cannot escape the infamy they
have justly earned.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
A Democratic Paper RepudIates
EsaRa

DANA's course toward the Secretary of
War has been too outrageous and unwar-
ranted even for Democratic papers to ap-
prove, especially those of them that claim
any regard for decency and fair dealing. The
Patriot of this city has had the manliness to
denounce DANA's course, and to admit that
not one of his charges has been proved-an
act of justice and honesty for which the re-
doubtable Gen. MORGAN, a Democratic
member of Congress from Ohio, formally re-
pudiated it as Democratic paper. Justice and
honesty are not tolerated in their organs by
such Democrats as MORGAN. In regard to
DANA's ibels upon the Secretary, and his
ignominious failure to prove any of his
charges, the Patriot makes this very emphatic
statement
"No one will suspect us Of especial
sympathy with the Secretary of the Navy,
whose peculiar modes of administration we
have more than once criticised, but it is one
thing to err, even mischievously, in the dis
charge of duty--to misinterpret, even stupid
ly, statutory duties-and it is another to con-
nive at corrupt jobs and be party to official
plumber. For weeks and months has the
newspaper that has been Mr.. Robeson's chief
accuser, in all the Otfensiveness Of capitals
and loaded types, charged him in the plainest
terms with the grossest crimes. He has been
aliteratively styled 'robber' and tainted
as a thief Investigation is made, and it is
a matter of simple justice to say, no particle
Of evidence sustains these charges Of crimi-
nality; and when the question arises with
whom this grievous wrong originated, the
responsible editor or his informant, the for
mer wraps himself up in a privilege, and no
one--not the anxious public, not the DETAINED
party-is allowed to know anything. If Mr..
c. A. Dana, when he charged Secretary
Robson with crime, had in his possession no
nformation-we will not say no evidence--to
sustain it, condemnation is due to him. If,
on the other hand, he was misled by his cor
respondents and put in this eminently false
position, then no confidence should protect
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
Value Of GreenbaCkS Now and
Then.

When Gen. GRANT was elected President
the premium on gold was forty cents on a
dollar that is, gold dollar was worth 81. 40
In greenbacks. A greenback dollar was
therefore worth only serenity cents. Since his
election the premium on gold has been
steadily falling until now it is only ten cents on
adollar. In other words papermoney has been
gradually improving in value until there is
now only ten cents difference between that
and gold, and dollar of it will sell for ninety
cents.
Every dollar in greenbacks the people
hold is therefore worth just t,centy cents, or
about twenty-nine per cent. more now than
when he was first elected, and we may truth
fully say-becamse he was elected! AS there
are 1898, 874 1905 .6S-in round numbers s4O0,-
600 900 in greenbacks and fractional currency
the people who hold and own it are worth
eighty millions of dollars more than then,
for that is the appreciation in the value Of
our paper currency. Every man who has
had 300 in greenbacks laid away for three
years and half can sell it for twenty dollars
more than it was worth then. And the same
is true in regard to our bonds. They have
been constantly increasing in value, at the
same time the people who hold them have
been receiving an annual interest in gold of
six dollars on every hundred.
Do the sorehead boilers hope or expect, by
aiding to restore the corrupt rebel Democracy
to power, to do better than this ? The peo-
pie, having thus enjoyed practical benefit in
dollars and cents from Gen. GRANTS admin
istration, will demand his services another
term, let office beggars do what they will
and go where they may. They will be very
sure not to give up patriot and an honest
man for a selfish and corrupt adventurer and
demagogue.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
COnfounding Fidelity with
Treachery.

At Republican meeting held in Brooklyn
last week, HENRY WARD BEECHER was the
principal speaker. According to the tele-
graph abstract of his speech Mr.. BEEcHER
seems incapable of discriminating between
the friends and enemies of the Republican
party. At any rate he gave the public no
reason to believe that he did not consider
boiling Republicans, who are the originators
of scheme which is intended to restore the
rebel Democracy to power, just as deserving
public confidence and respect as those who
are true to the Republican party and are
laboring to continue it in power. He was
fulsome in his praise Of SCHURz and Ten
Thousand Dollar TRUMBULL, characterizing
them as ''pure, wise, sagacious, and eloquent"
patriots! This is almost as obnoxious a
sentiment as Mr.. GREELEY's during his re-
cent Southern tour, expressing the belief, if
not the hope, that the time would come when
STONEwALL JACKSON and JEFF DAVIS
would be held in equal esteem-or something
to to that etfect--with loyal generals by the
American people.
To be sure it is not crime in law to be-
tray ones party as it is ones country. But
morally it is the same thing, and the man
who betrays the party which has trusted and
honored him would betray his country if he
could do it as safely. But Mr.. BEECHER can
see no difference between those who are true
and those who are false to their pledges and
the principles Of their party. Leaving out of
sight the question of patriotism, neither
SEIZURE nor TRUMBULL has given the coln-
try any proof of his purity, wisdom, or sa-
gacity, and very little of his eloquence. We
defy their admirers to point to a single act of
either that evinces wisdom or sagacity !; and
the means SEIZURE adopted to secure his
election to the Senate, and TRUMBULL's alb
straetion of ten thousand dollar fee from
the Treasury without having rendered any
valuable service for it, leaves considerable
room to doubt their puray
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18

The Globe, the last Boston notion" and
a very excellent one, too, as most OF their
motions" are, is independent but not
neutral" and says what it chooses, infiu-
enced only by its sense of right and justice.
Its opinions are, therefore, entitled to weight
upon political matters. We heartily COM
mend to the indiscriminate and INSCRIPTIONS
assailants of President GRANT what it pro-
nounces as infamous" On this point
it says that those who are opposed 70 the
present Administration do not seem to meet
their opponents on any great question OF
policy, but chiefly attack the personal char
acter of General GRANT. So far as politics
are concerned, the President has no indiyidu-
ality he is a representative idea only, and
when stump speakers denOunce him, as was
done in Connecticut last Saturday, in vilest
terms, they are adducing no argument, for
even if their ridiculous charges were true,
they amount to nothing as it regards the ma
tional policy and national politics. Anger
is clear evidence of weakness, and when a
stump speaper works himself up to degree
of vituperation and vulgar personalities, he
exposes want Of argument and reason. As
to General GRANT, personally, he is like the
stump speaker himself, human being-not
a saint; we are all sinners, otherwise this
would not be Connecticut or Massachusetts
it would be heayenD
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
EqIai Political Rights Still De-
MED.

In West Virginia Constitutional Conven-
ton had been in session for some weeks
previous to the 9th instant. On that day it
adjourned, having completed its labors. In
regard to its proceedings telegraphic de-
spatch from Charlestown, CIV. Va, y where it
was held, makes the remarkable announce
ment that " the proposition to give negroes the
right to hold office has been the cause Of such
animated discussion that 1t is submitted to the
people, to be voted on as separate proposition"
What does this mean? We had supposed
that the amendment to the Federal Consti-
tuition and the Civil Rights act had secured
to all the people of the United States equal
political rights and privileges, and that in
this respect colored and white men are
placed on the same footing But it seems
we were mistaken!
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
Where the People Are.

The charter election in Albany, n. Y,
city that is usually Democratic by more than
thousand majority, was held last week and
resulted in a substantial Republican victory
for the first time in years. The Democratic
candidate for Mayor was reelected by small
majority, many Republicans voting for him
because he was regarded as a fair and efficient
officer, and was opposed strongly by faction
of his own party, who ran another candidate.
1t is claimed, however, that the legal vote
elected JUDsoN, the Republican candidate
Mr.. GREEN, Republican candidate for Re-
corder, was elected by majority of more
than 1900. That is the response the people
everywhere are making to the infamous war.
fare sorehead demagogues are making upon
the President and the Republican party.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18

The cost of the investigating committees
which sorehead Republicans have demanded
to investigate their false charges, is proving
most expensive luxury to the taxpayers.
1t is stated by the Government printer that
it will cost to print the testimony-saying
nothing OF the other expenses amounting to
hundreds of thousands of dollars-far more
than the whole amount the libelers allege to
have been embezzled. We agree with the
Baltimore american that the cost of the pro-
ceeding should never deter Congress from in
vestigating fraud, and for the sake of honesty
in the public service it is right that a thousand
dollars should be expended in hunting down
an officer who has only stolen hundred but
before beginning the pursuit of the supposed
criminal there ought to be some evidence that
there has been the larceny of hundred dol
lars. We had furious storm over alleged
frauds in the New York Custom House, and
committee was appointed to inquire into the
truth of the charges; but when the investi-
CATION began no witness was produced to
show that the Government had lost single
dollar of the millions that are collected every
week. There was not even the pretence that
any officer had embezzied funds or acted dis
honestly in the assessment of duties. The
peremptory seizures made by some of the
Government detectives were complained of,
as also certain abuses in the management of
the bonded warehouses but it was also
shown that New York merchants were in the
habit of offering brides to petty officers, and
that they themselves had built up the very
system from which the abuses were supposed
to emanate. The burden of the proof pro-
duced was to show that custom house Off
GERS had taken part in the management of
local politics. Then came the investigation
of the alleged sale of arms to French agents,
in which it appeared that there had been
neither violation of law nor breach Of good
faith after that the robson investigation,
which proved the most despicable failure of
all. 1t is about time that Congress would
put stop to the expenditure of the public
money in the investigation of frauds which
have never been perpetrated, the charges
being mostly gotten up by a gang of black
matters.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18

THE Boston Post (Democratic) formally
announces that Senator LOGAN, of Illinois.
has resolved to follow TEN Thousand Dollar
TRUMBULL into the Cincinnati camp of
"Cow Boys" We think General LoaAN's
last public announcement was that he was
in favor of the denomination of Gen. GRANT.
or at any rate that he should abide by the
decision of the Philadelphia Convention.
We hardly think, at any rate, that he has
confided to this Democratic paper such
purpose, if he had decided upon it.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18

MASSACHUSETTS has held its Republican
State Convention, and unanimously approved
the policy of President GRANTS administra-
ton, and instructed the delegates elected to
the Philadelphia Convention to vote for his
denomination. Gen. WILSON was declared
to be the choice of the Convention for Vice
President.
Pennsylvania has, for the third time, de-
clared itself in favor of the denomination of
Gen. GRANT, the last time through the Re-
publican State Convention which met at
Harrisburg last week. And Florida also last
week elected unanimous delegation in favor
Of Gen. GRANT. And 50 they go. Every
State which has yet spoken has sent unani-
nous delegations in his favor to the Phila-
delphia Convention.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18
The Soldiers New Homestead Act,

A Republican Congress has passed, and a
Republican President has signed, another
bill, showing their sense of gratitude to the
men who saved the nation, and their deter.
mination, practically, to recognize their SER
vices. The soldiers and sailors homestead
act, which will be found in another column,
is by far the most liberal homestead act yet
passed, and can hardly fail to prove accepta-
BILE to the brave men for whose benefit it is
intended. Soldiers and sailors who desire to
secure homestead have here the opportu-
nifty from any of the lands belonging to the
Government
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18

pointed the Majors daughter, Miss EMMA j..
McMACKIN, as postmistress, a place she
stlll occupies.
| The next proof Of Senator TRUMBULL's
patriotism and honesty the Times produces is
certain transactions of his in connection with
the Illinois Central Railroad. That company
| received from the Government the most valu-
able land grant ever made to a railroad COM
p&ny. In consideration of it, the company
was bound, in time Of war, to transport troops
and munitions Of war free of charge. Its Of
ficers, however, managed, amid the hustle OF
| war, to procure the allowance of large sums
for such services. When this was discovered,
a vigorous movement was made in Congress
to compel the company to refund the sums so
received, amounting, we think, to over mill
lion of dollars, and this movement promised
to be successful until Senator TRUMBULL APP
peared as its untiring opponent. He sue
ceeded in defeating it, and within a short
time change was made in the management
of the land business of the Illinois Central
Railroad Company, by which thoroughly
competent man was displaced and Senator
TRUMBULL's no more competent brother was
put into good place. This was, of course,
done by some hOcus-pocus of transfer OF
duties and change in the mode of doing the
business, but the general result was that the
old incumbent continued to do most of the
work, receiving good pay therefore, and Sena-
tor TRUMBULL's brother got good salary,
which he continues to draw. The coinci-
dence was so striking that Senator regard
full of appearances would have been careful
to avoid it. No doubt it is very wicked to
recall such transactions as these, and is an
evidence Of our desire to "persecute" great
men; but still the truth may be told, even of
Senator TRUMBULL.
Mr.. TRUMIULL's course. in prosecuting
Gen. GRANT with requests till he removed
the wounded soldier, Gen. BLOOMFIELD, from
his pension agency, and procured the ap-
pointment of Senator TRUMBULL's own
brother-in-law in his place, has already been
referred to in the Senate. Enboldened by
this success, he endeavored to compel the ap-
pontment of his own son as Collector of
Internal Revenue for the district which we
know as the Territory of Montana But, I'M
fortunately for him, there had been little
transaction with the Marshal of that Terri
tory through which the character of that son
became known to the Attorney General of
the United States, and Gen. GRANT per-
emptorily refused to make the appointment.
IF Mr.. TRUMBULL did not threaten vengeance
for this refusal he is greatly belied.
We think the public will agree with the
Times in its conclusion that these incidents 60
to illustrate the disregard of Mr.. TRUMBULL
for military services as against his own sell
fish ends, and his utter Indifference to civil
service reform, or to any other consideration
save only the advancement of the interests of
his relatives and political adherents.
New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18

The Rochester On. ~ Democrat has some
which the brawling demagogues now at the
bottom Of the Cincinnati Convention COM
menced against the Administration, that will
bear repeating. 1t truly characterizes these
assaults as the most virulent and malicious
this country has ever witnessed upon public
principles of their party and the true interests
of their country.
Encouraged by the success of the movement
to expel the Tammany Ring from power, a
cabal conspired to destroy the regulations of
President GRANT, and Generals BABCOcK,
and PORTER. But there was this difference
between the two cases-Tammany had COM
mitted grievous crimes which had come to
light, while the Administration had not
sinned and therefore had no reason to fear
exposure. Discussion and investigation have
proceeded, until on every hand the most
strenuous opposers of the President are con-
Tossing the groundless nature of the charges.
The Chicago Tribune acknowledges the emp
tiness of the Seneca sand stone" scandal"
as the Nation the other day did that of the
arms SANDER. The custom house inquiry has
completely indicated the President and the
gentlemen we have named; and they have
also been fully acquitted on the charge of the
San Domingo speculation.
Innocence was as apparent at the begin
ming of the campaign of SANDER as it is to-
dow. opI IL onu Capofor nr od;tnr ba1;ax,aI
otherwise, the material of proof or disproof
was ready at his command. Can, then, the
accused be acquitted, and the accuser go free ?
The laws recognize the offense of malicious
prosecution. Has not that been committed
in the most heinous proportions? 1t GER
tainly has. The venomous Senators are none
the less censurable because their fangs have
been drawn. 1t is nothing to their condona-
ton that innocence has been rendered clear
it rather stamps them as malignant persecu-
tors. They might have satisfied themselves
without first indulging in the ranting bolster
BUSINESS of the demagogue; but they chose to
set the lie travelling, knowing how hard it is
for truth to overtake it.
But their assault was without avail. New
Hampshire and Connecticut express the pop
ular verdict on the exploded calumnies, and
also upon the calumnators. 1t is claimed in
some quarters that these successes are not
indicative Of popular support of the President
The folly of this is apparent, when we con-
slider the surroundings of the case. A bitter
fire had been poured into the ranks, by the
enemies of the President, and the hot shot
went with kissing force through these two
States, under Democratic franks, as Republ-
can exposure of Republican rascality. In
this State, last fall, when the rottenness of
the Democratic city government was demon
strated, Democracy itself was overthrow.
Is it not plain, then, that if the people had
believed the Republican national Government
is in venal hands, that the Republican party
would have been repudiated? Most assur-
eddy it would. And that it was not repudi-
ated is vindication at their hands Of
GRANT, BABCOcK, and PORTER, and re-
buke Of their revilers.