The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-14

minioa. which 10 the Spanish part ei the
island, and shrinking at nothing, he began
by seizing the war powers Of the Govern
ment. in fragrant violation OF the Oonstitu.
money, sent several armed ships OF the navy,
including monitors. to maintain the usurpsr
Bsez in power, that through him he 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 iu
ntn Ss nhor the az power sailing
most powerful monitor, the Dictator, proper
~ named for this service, alec the frigate Sc
vern as coneort 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 the great
war ships in sight from the windows, dealt
capture Haytien ships. The President WAS
black, not white. Tho Admiral would have
done no such thing to any white ruler, nor
would our country have tolerated such me-
mace from any Government in the world.
Here was indignity not only to tho black re-
public. with its population of SOC, 900, but to
the African race everywhere, and especially
in our own country. Nor did it end here.
For months the navy Of the United States
was lowering on the coast, keeping that in
suited people in constant anxiety, while Pre-.
sidcnt Grant was to them like hawk sailing
in the air, and ready to swoop upon his prey.
This heartloes, cruel proceeding found u vic
tim among our white fellow-ctizons. An e1-
ccllcnt merchant OF Connecticut praises by
all who know him, was plunged into prison
by BatZ, where he WAS immured because it
was feared be would write against the treaty
or anneAion. and this captivity was prolonR ed
with tho conniyance 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 little regard
OF the President for human rights, whether
in white or black.
confess my trials. as WAS called to wit
ness these things. Always a supporter of the
Administration, and sincerely desiring to
labor with it, had never uttered word with
regard to it except in kindness. My early Op-
position to the treaty OF annexation was re-
served, 30 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 bega al the anger OF the
PRESIDENT and OF his rings. military and sena-
toral. Devoted to the African race, 1 felt for
them besides being humbled that tho great
republic, acting through it's President. could
set such an example, whero the National
Constitution, International law and humanity Y
were all sacrificed. Especially was moved
when l saw the indignity to tho colorcd race
which was accomplished by tramplirg upon q
fundamental principle Of international law,
Declaring the equality Of nations. as our De-
claration Of Independence declares the equal
ity Of men. This terrible transaction, which
nobody can defend, is among the "antecc
dents" of President Grant, from which you
can judge how much the colored race can rely
upon his "ht artfelt symputhies." Nor can it
be forgotten, that shortly afterward, on the
return Of the commission from this island,
Hon. Frederick Ouglass, the co,ored orator,
accomplished in manners as in eloqucrcc, was
thrust ava, from the company of the COM
nissioncrs ut the common liable Of the mail
packet on the Potomac, almost within sight nf
the Executive Mansion, simply on account OF
Ills color; but tho President, ut whose invita-
tiOn he had joined the commission, never ut
tered q word in condemnation OF this cxelu-
sion, nnd when entertaining the returned
commissioners Mt 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
tho civil rights bill, which is the cap. stone OF
that equality before the law to which all arc
entitled, without distinction Of color. Presi-
dent Grant, who euld lobby so assiduously
for his st. Domingo echenle. full of wrong to
the colored race, could do nothing for this
bene6cent measure. During long session
OF Congress, it WAS discussed constantly, and
the coiored people everywhere hung npon tho
debate. but there was no word of 'hrartfeit
sympathy from the President At last, Just be-
fore the nominating convention, he addressed
letter to q meeting OF colored Ow-citizens
where no avoided the question, by declaring 8
himself in favor Of "the exercise of those
rights to which every citizen should be justly
entitled" leavingit it uncertain whether cOlored
people are justly entitled TO the rights se-
cured by the pending bill. understand til at
Horace Greeley has already been assailed by
| an impracticable Democrat ~ friendly to this
bill, but nobody has lisped against President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedente," deem it my duty
to mention the little capacity or industry Of
the President i'll protecting colored p. ople
and in assuring peace at tho South. Nobody
| can doubt that a email portion nf tho effort
and earnest will, even without the lobbying
| 80 freely given to the San Domingo scheme.
would have averted th0se Ku Klux outrages
which We deplore 80 that there would have
been no pretence fur 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 9 kers.
II. Passing from "antecedents," l como
now to the 'present position" oil the two can
didates. which is the subject OF your next in :
quiry. II in any former particulars the two
are OH an equality, yet in all substantial re-
spects the obvious advantage is with Horace
Greeley. Each wAa nominated by Republi-
| can convention, one 80 Cincinnati and the
other at Pbilsdelphia, no 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