The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-18

isiand, and shriDkng at nothing, he began
by seizing the war powers OF the Govern
nlent, 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 tho usurper
Baez in power, that through him lie might
obtain the coveted prize. Not content with
this audacious dictatorship, he proceeded to
strike at the independence of the black re-
public by open menace Of war. and all with
out the sanction OF Congress, to which is
committed tho war making power. Sailing
into tho hnrbor OF Port-su-Prince with our
most powerful monitor, the Dictator, proper
ly named for this service, also the frigate Sc
vern as consort aud other monitors in their
train, tho Admiral, acting under instructions
from Washington, proceeded to the executive
mansion, accompanied by officers OF his
squadron, and then, pointing to the great
his menace of war, threatening to sink or
capture Hsytien ships. The President was
black, not white. The Admiral would have
would our country havo tolerated such me-
naco from any Government in the world.
Hero was indignity not only to the black
public, with it's population Of $780, 900, but to
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-
~ the air, and ready to swoop upon his prey.
This heartless, cruel proceeding found a vic
tim among our white fellow-citizena An cx-
cellcnt merchant OF Connecticut. praised by
by Batz, where he WAS immured because it
was feared be would write against the treaty
of annexioD, and this captivity was prolonged
with the connivsr' OF two agents OF the Pre-
with him, and is part Of the military ring i'm
rlediately about him. That such an outrage
could 20 unpunished shows the little regard
t'f the President for human rights, whether
in white or black.
1 confess my trials, as 1 was called to wit
ness these things. Always supporter OF the
Administration, and sincerely desiring to
labor with it, I 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 saw the
breach OF all law, human and divine, that l
was aroused, and then began the anger OF the
President and Of his rings. military and sena-
torial. Devoted to the African race, l felt for
theul besides being humbled that the great
republic, acting through it's President, could
set such an example, where the National
Constitution, international law and humanity
were all sacrificed. Especially was 1 moved
when cav the indignity to the colorcd race
which was accomplished by tramplipg upon
fundamental principle of international law,
declaring the equality of nations, az our De-
claration Of 1ndepe ndencc declares the equal
ity of men. This terrible transaction, which
nobody can defend, is among tho 'antccc-
dents" Of President Grant, from which yuu
can judge how much the colored race ca II rely
upon his "hcartfelt Sympathics." 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 az in elopurnce, Was
thrust away from the company uf the COM
missioners ut the common table of the mai!
packet on the Potomac, almost within sight of
the Executive Mansion, simply on account of
his color; Lut tho President, at whose invita-
tion he had joined the commission, never mt
tered word III condemnation Of this eSclu-
sion, and when entertaining tho returned
commissioners at dinner, carefully omitted
MIR. Douglass, who was in Washington at the
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 the cap-stone OF
that equality before the law to which all are
entitled, without distinction Of color prepi-
dent Grant, who could lobby so assiduously
for his St. Domingo scheme. full of wrong to
the colored race, could do nothing for this
benefcent measure. During long session
the colored people everywhere hung upon the
debate. but there was no word of "heartfelt
sympathy" from the President. At laet, just be-
fore the nominating convention, he addressed
letter to meeting OF colored Fcllow-citiZens
in Washington, called to advance this cause,
where he avoided the question, by declaring
himself in favor of "the exercise OF those
rights to which every citizen should be justly
entitled" leaving it uncertain whether cOlorcd
people gro justly entitled to the rights &C.
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 lfsped against President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedents," deem it my duty
to mention the little capacity or indust;! OF
the President III protecting coored pt' pie
and in assuring peace at the South. No! ndy
can doubt that small portion of the ,if,rt
and earnest will, even without the lobbying
so freely given to the San Domingo scheme.
would have avcrted those ku KluX outrages
which We depioro, 80 that there would have
been no pretence for further legislation by
Congress. But he was disabled both by cha
racter and the drawback OF his own conduct.
After violating the Constitution and interna-
tional law to insult the black republic, and
setting an example of characterization, he
was not in condition TO rebuke law br eakers.
II. Passing from "antecedents." l come
now TO the "present position" or the two can
didatee, which il the sui ject Of your next in
quiry. II in any former particulars the two
arc on all equality, yet in all substantia. re-
spects the obvious advantage is With Horace
Greeley. Each WAS nominated by RepubH-
can convention, ono at Cincinnati and the
other at Philadelphia, go that in this respect
they may seem to be on an equality. But it
will not fail to bo observed that the conyen-
tion at Cincinnati WAS composed Of able and
acknowledged Republicans. many Of whom
have acted with the pHrty from its first for
IN alton. who without previous OrpaDiZatiOn