Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-08-10

examined the Globe, the Democatic men,
bers on seventeen different occasions re-
sisted the passage Of the civil rights bill by
the parliamentary process known as filbus-
tering. They would not even allow 1t to
come to a vote. Two intelligent colored
members from South Carolina, Elliot and
Rainey, begged of the Democratic side of
the House to merely allow the Civil Rights
bill to be voted on, and they were answered
with denial so absolute that it amounted
to a scornful jeer Oft the rights of the colored
man. And now you lend your voice and
influence to the reelection of these Demo-
cratic members who are cooperating with
you in the support of Mr.. Greeley. Do
you not know, Mr.. Sumner, and will you
not as n candid man acknowledge that with
these men in power in Congress, the rights
Of the solored men are absolutely sacrificed
30 far as those rights depend on Federal
legislation
Still further: the rights of the colorcd
men in this country are secured. 1t secured
at all, by the three great constitutional
amendments, the 18th, 14th, and 18th. To
give these amendments full scope and effect,
legislation by Congress imperatively requr-
cd, as you have 80 often and so eloqucntly
demonstrated. But the Democratic party
are on record in the most conspicuous man
ner against any legislation on the subject.
1t was only in tho month of February last
that my colleague, Mr. Peters, offered
resolution in the House of Representatives,
affirming the "valdity Of the constitutional
amendments and of such reasonable legis-
lation of Congress it may be necessary to
make them in their letter and spirit most
eflectual." This resolution-very mild and
guarded, as you will see-was adopted by
124 yeas to 5S nays only eight of the yeas
were Democrats ; all the nays were Demo-
Gratis.
The resolution of Mr.. Peters was follow
cd, a week later, by one offered by Mr.
Stevenson, of Ohio, as follows:
ReSolred. That we recognize as valid and
binding, all existing laws passed by Con-
gress for the enforcement Of the Thirteenth,
Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments of
the Constitution Of the United States, and
for the protection of citizens in their rights
under the Constitution, as amended.
Or the vote upon this resolution there
were 107 yeas to 90 nays. All the yeas were
Republicans, and they are now unanimous
in support Of President Grant All the
nays were Democrats, who are now equally
unanimous in support of Mr.. Greeley.
1t is idle to affirm, as some Democrats
did in resolution offered by Mr.. Brooks.
of New Y ork, that "these amendments are
valid parts of the Constitution, - so long as
the same men on the same day v,te that
the provisions Of those amendments should
not be enforced by congressional legisla-
| ton. The amendments are but sounding
brass and tinkling cymbals" to the colored
man until Congress makes them effective
and practical. Nay, more if the rights
of the colored man are to be left to the legls-
! latiOn Of tie Southern States, without con-
| grcssiOnal Intervention, he would, under Il
! Democratic administration, be deprived Of
/ the right of suffrage in less than two years,
and he would I've very lucky if he escaped
And in proof of this danger | might quote
volumes of wisdom and warning from the
! speeches Of Charles Sumner
! When, therefore, you point out to the
| colored men that their rights will be safe
| in the hands of the Democratic party, you
delude and mslead them-I do not say
willfully, but none the less really. The
small handful of Republicans-co omrarcd
with the whole mass-who unite with your
self and Mr.. Greeley in going over to the
! Democratic party, cannot leaven that lump
( of political unsoundncss even if you pre-
serve your own original principles in tho
contact. The administration of Mr.. Gree
! ley, therefore, should he be elected, would
be i'll the whole and in detail Democratic
administration, and you would be COMPEL
ed to go with the current or repent aud
turn back when too late to mend the evil
you had done. Your argument that llOr-
ace Greeley docs not become Democrat by
receiving Democratic tes-illustrating il
! by the analogy Of your own election to the
&c lA in.
. is not what Mr.. Greeley will become per
sonally, but what will be the complexion OF
the great legislative branch of the govern
ment, with all its vast and controlling pow
cr. You know very well, Mr.. Sumner
that, if Mr.. Greeley is elected President
Congress is handed over to the control o
the party who have persistently denied the
rights of the black man. What course you
will pursue toward the cOlored man is o.
small consequence after you have transferred
the power Of government to his enemy
The colored men of this country are not
as n class enlightened, but they have won
derful instincts, aud when they read YOU
letter they will know that at great crisi:
in their fate you deserted them. Charles
Sumner cooperating with Jefferson Davis
is not the same Charles sumner they have
hitherto idolized-any more than Horace
Greeley, cheered to the echo in Tammany
hall, is the same Horace Greeley whom the
Republicans have hitherto trusted Tht
black men Of this country will never be un
grateful for what you have done for then
in the past-nor, in the bitterness of theil
hearts, will they ever forget that heated
and blinded by personal hatred of one man
you turn your back on The million to whom
in past years you have stood as a shielC
and bulwark of defence.
Very respectfully,
Your obedcnt servant
JAMES G.. BLAINE