The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-06-11

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The colored orator, Frederick Dou-
glass, was selected by the ,sident as
one of the Commissioners To visit San
Domingo, aud yet OH his return, and
almost within sight Of the Executive
Mansion, he was repelled from the com
mon table of a mail steamer on the po-
tomac, when the other Commissioners
were already seated; and thrbugh him
was the African race insulted and their
equal rights denied. But the President,
whose commission he had borne, Neither
did nor said anything TO right this
wrong: and few days later, when Ca
tertaining the Commissioners at the Ey-
ecutive Mansion, actually forgot the col
orcd orator whose services he had
sought. But this indignity is in unison
with the rest. After insulting the Black
Republic, it is easy 10 see how natural
it was to treat witlrinsensihility repre-.
sentative of the African race Here,
say, this painful presentiment, under its
various Heads, beginning with nepotism
and gift taking, officially compensated,
and ending in the contrivanee against
San Domingo, with an indi9nity to The
African race. Not becausei ii is complete.
but because it is enough, with sorrow
unspeakable l have made this exposure
of pretensiens, which for the sake of re.
publican institutions, every good citizen
should wish eXpunged from history. But
| had no alternative. The President
himself insists in putting them in issue
he will not allow them to be forgotten.
AS candidate fSr re election he invites
Judgment, and how the question of duty
is presented to the Republican party. !
like that work II is at the mandate 6f
duty that we must act. Do Presidential
pretensions merit the sanction OF the
party? Can Republicans, without de.
parting from all obligations, whether OF
party or patriotism, recognize our am
bitious Caesar as proper representative
Can we take the fearful responsibility Ol
his prolonged empire2 put these
questions solemnly, as member OF the
Republican party. With me party was
country and mankind ;but with the adop-
ton of all these presidential pretensons
party loses its character and drops from
its sphere. Its creed ceases to be Re
publicanism and becomes Grantism; ii
is no longer political party, but per;
sonal party. For myself, 1 say openly |
am no mans man, nor do belong I'd
any personal party. '''
Mr.. Sumner spoke at length on the
one term principle The attempt to
change the character of the Republican
party, said he, begins by an assault on
the principle of one term for the; Pres
ident. The influence OF the President
has increased, is increasing, and might
he diminished; but in this excellent
work well worth the rest efforts of all.
nothing is more important than is the
limitation to one tenn. There is de-
mand for reform in the civil service, and
the President formally adopts this rid.
mand, but he neglects the first step
which depends on himself. From this
we may Judge his little earncstness in
the cause Beyond all question, civil
service reform must begin by limitation
OF the President to one term, so thai
temptation to use the appointing power
for personal ends may disappear from
our system, and this great disturbing
force cease to exist Ii the Prcsitelt
is sincere for reform, it will be easy foI
him to set the example by declaring his
adhesion to the ole term principle. But
evenif he fails, we must do our duty.
In alluding to our foreign relations,
Mr.. Sumner said he felt bound to say
that never before has their management
been so wanting in ability, and so abso
lutely without character. In every di-
rection is muddle,muade. With Spain,
muddle; with distant Corea. muddie
with Venezuela; with Russia, muddle
with England, and on all sides is one
diversified mpddle. daughter. To
this are we. reduced. When before in
our history have we reached any such g
pass as that to which we have been car,
ried in our questions with England p
Are these laurcls for Presidential can.
didate? s Si
Mr. Sumner concluded: / wait the
determination of the, National Cunven.
ton. Where are the delegates from my
own mach -honored Commonwealth with
whom l rejoice TO act? Not withou,
anxiety do / wait, hut with an earnest
hope that the Convention will bring the
Republican party into its ancient har-
mony, saving it from the suicidal folly
of an issue on the personal professions
of one man.