The Portland daily press., 1872-08-01
Continuation of Summers Letter,

whether counted by the score, the, hundred
or the thousand and so we find that
the supporters of President Grant
announce with partisan trumps the
adhesion of single Democratic politician
or single Democratic newspaper. On equal
reason and higher pride may the supporters of
Horace Greeley announce the adhesion of the
Democratic party which turning from the
things that are behind press on to those that
ton Of Horace Greeley as. President with
Gratz Brown as Vice President, both un-
changeable Republicans, will be return of
the Democratic party to power.
On the contrary it viii be the Inauguration
of Republican principles under the safeguard
of Republican President and Vice President
with Democrats as its supporters. In the
organization of his administration and in the
conduct of affairs Horace Greeley will natur-
ally lean upon those who represent best the
great promises made of equal rights and
reconciliation at Cincinnati. II Democrats
are taken it will be as Republicans in heart
recognizing the associated terms of the settle
ment as an lrreversible inality. The hardi-
hood of political falsehood reaches its extreme
point when it is asserted that under Horace
Greeley the freedmen will b. enslaved or
that the colored people will in any way suffer
III tuelT equal Oh llc contrary tley
have in his election not only the promises of
the platform but also the splendid example of
full generation during which he has never
wavered in the assertion of their rights.
To suppose that Horace Greeley
when placed where he can do them
the most good will depart
from the rule of his honest life is an insult to
reason. 1t is none the less idle to suppose
that Democrats supporting Horace Greeley
expect or desire that he should dissent from
those principles which are the glory of his
character. They have accepted the Cincin-
natl platform with its twofold promises and
intend in good faith to maintain it. Demo.
Gratis cannot turn back, who OF the convention
adopting this platform sang Greeley songs to
the tune of "Old John Brown, his soul is
marching on Looking especially to the es-
Enlistment of character in the national gov
eminent they well expect their President to
be always true to himself. Therefore / put
aside the partisan allegations that Horace
Greeley has gone to the Democrats or that he
will be controlled by the Democrats. Each is
without foundation or reason; According to
my Judgment they are attempts to avoid what
you recognize as the true ISSUE being the
question between the two candidates or per-
haps they may be considered as scarecrows to
deter the timid. Nobody who votes for Hor-
ace Greeley will go to the Democrats nor do
believe that when elected Horace Greeley
will be under any influence except that en-
lightened conscience'which will keep him ever
true to the principles he represents.
Gentlemen, in thus answering your two in
quiries, have shown why you, as colored
fellow citizens and also all who would uphold
our rights and save the colored race from in
dignity should refuse to sanction the re-
election of the President and put your
trust IN Horace Greeley. 1 ought to
add that with him will be associated
as Vice President Gratz Brown whom have
known for years as a most determined
abolitionist. The two together will carry into
the national government an answering devo-
tion to your rights, not to be disturbed by
partisan dictation or sectional prejudice. Be-
sides all this which may fifty guide you in de-
termining between the two candidates it is my
duty to remind You that as citizens of the
United States and part of the country your
welfare is indissolubly associated with that of
the whole country. Where all are prosperous
you will be gamers. Therefore while Justly
careful of your own rights you cannot be in
different to the blessings of good government
and it is for you to consider whether the
time has not come for something better
than the sword and whether a character like
Horace Greeley's does not give greater as
surance of good government than can be
found in the insulter of the colored race al
ready famous from the rings about him and
his plain inaptitude for civil life. The sup
porters of President Grant compel us to OBJ
serve his offences and short comings. The
comparison they challege cannot be declined.
1t will be for others in the present canvass to
holdit before the American people.
Speaking now for myself have IN COW, tbot
my vote will be given to Horace Greeley but
In giving 1t L do not go to the Democratic
party nor am any less a Republican. On the
contrary am so much of Republican that l
cannot support candidate whose civil life
shows an incapacity to appreciate Republican
principles and whose administration is marked
by the acts Of delinquency, and especially
towards the colored race by the side of which
the allegations in the impeachment of Andrew
Johnson were technical and trivial. I'm.
questionably President Grant deserves
impeachment for high crimes and mis-.
demeanors rather than a denomination
and on the trial it would be enough to exhibit
his seizure of the war power and his indignity
to the black Republican population lof 100000
in violation of the national constitution and of
international law. And here contrast arises
between him and Abraham Lincoln. The
latter in his first annual message recommend
ed the recognition of what he called the indie.
pendence and sovereignty of Hayti, but it is
at this President Grant has struck. One of
Abraham Lincoln's first acts was to put the
black Republic on perfect equality with
other power. One of President Grants
acts was to degrade it. I am so much
of Republican that wish to see il the
Presidential chair life time abolitionist. I
wish Pre- ,ident sincerely devoted to civil
reform beginning with the one term princi-
pies which President Grant once accepted but
which he now disowns. 1 also wish for
PRESIDENT who sets the example of industry
and unseltish dedication to the public good
and wish to see President through whom
we may expect peace and harmony instead of
discord. Strangely President Grant seems to
delight in strife. If he finds no enemy he
falls upon his fr ends as when he struck as the
black Republic, insulted Russia in his annual
message, offended both France and Germany,
and then in personal relations quarreled
generally. .
My own personal experience teaches me
how futile is the charge that, because Horace
Greeley receives Democratic votes, therefore
he becomes Democrat or lapses under Dem
ocratic control. l was first chosen to the
Senate BY party of free-soilers and Demo-
Gratis. Democratic votes helped make me
Senator from Massachusetts, as they also
helped make my excellent friend, Mr. Chase,
Senator from Ohio, and will: help make
Horace Greeley President; but neither Mr..
Chase nor myself was on this account less
faithful as freesoilers. and in answering for
myself know that never became Demo-
crat, or relapsed under Democratic control.
do not doubt that Horace Greeley will be
equally consistent. The charge to the contra
ry SO vehemently repeated, seems to reflect on
the character of those who make it by vote.
There is common saying, principles, not
men,, and on this ground an appeal Is made
for President Grant. feeling that in any per-
sonal comparison with Horace Greeley he
must fail. But better saying is "Principles
and men," l am for the principles of
the Republican party in contradctinction to
Grantism, and am for the man who truly
represents them. By these principles shall
stand, for them I shall labor, and in their
triumph shall always rejoice. If any valued
friend separates from me now, it
will be because he places a man
above principles. Early in public
life l declared my little heed for party
and my indifference to the name by which /
am called, and now confess my want of sym-
pathy with those who would cling to the form
after its spirit has fled. Allow me to call at
tention TO another and controlling considera-
ton, which cannot be neglected by the good
citizen. Watching the remarkable movement
which has ended in the double nomination of
Horace Greeley, it is easy to see that it did
not proceed from politicians, whether at Gin
cinnati or Baltimore. Evidently II lo.o, A.