American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-08-17
Sumner Declares for Greeley and
Brown.

Several colored citizens of Washington
having written letter to Senator Sum-
ner requesting of him his opinion as to
what action the colored voters of the ma
ton should take in the Presidential con-
test now pending, Mr.. Sumner responds
in lengthy argument going to show that
the best interests not only of the colored
served by the election of Greeley and
Brown. We take the following extracts
from Mr.. Summers letter:
Horace Greeley was born to poverty and
educated himself in a printing office. Presi-
dent Grant, fortunate in early patronage, be-
came a cadet at West Point, and was edu-
Gated at the public expense. One started
with nothing but industry and a character
The other started with a military commits
sion. One was trained as a civilian and the
Greeley from early life was earnest and CON
slant against slavery and full of sympathy
with the colored race, and always foremost
in the great battle for their rights. President
Grant, except as a soldier summoned by a
terrible accident of war, never did anything
against slavery, nor has he at any time
shown any sympathy for the colored race.
Horace Greeley earnestly desired that color
championed impartial suffrage, but President
Grant was on the other side. Beyond these
contests which are marked, it cannot be for
gotten that Horace Greeley is a person of
a
trained to the support of human rights, al
ways ready for any good cause, and never
deferred by opposition or reproach, when
for long years he befriended your people.
the undying industry which leaves no mo-
ment without its fruit, abundant political
knowledge, acquaintance with history, the
instinct and grasp of craftsmanship, an
amiable nature, a magnanimous soul, and,
above all, an honesty which suspicion
has touched, and you have a brief portrait
ure. These are the antecedents of Horace
Greeley.
Few Of these things appear in President
Grant. His great success in war and the
hOnors he has won cannot change his record.
His conduct toward your people is especial
ly in contrast with the lifetime fidelity of his
competitor, while there are unhappy antece-
dents showing that in the prosecution Of his
plans he cares nothing for the colored race.
The story is painful, but it must be told. l
refer to the outrage he perpetrated upon
Hayti, with its 800, 900 blacks engaged in the
experiment of self government. Here is the
most instructive antecedent, revealing be-
yOnd question his true nature, and the whole
is attested by documentary evidence. Con-
ceiving the idea of annexing Dominica, which
is Spanish part of the island, and shrinking
at nothing, he began by Selling the war
power of the Government, in fragrant viola
ton Of the Constitution, and then, at great
ships of the navy, including monitors, to the
usurper Baez in power, that through him he
might obtain the coveted prize. Not con
tent with this audacious dictatorship, he pro-
ceeded to strike at the independence of the
Black Republic in open menace of war, and
all without the sanction of Congress, to
which is committed the war-making power.
Sailing into the harbor of Port au Prince
with our most powerful monitor, the ''Dicta-
tor" properly named for this service, also
the frigate s'Severn" as consort, and other
monitors in their train, the Admiral, acting
under instructions from Washington, pro-
ceeded to the Executive Mansion, accompa-
nicd by the 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 any white
ruler, nor would our country have tolerated
such a menace from any government in the