New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-09
COMMUNICA 7YONS.
Oscar Refnaed.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 3, 1872.

porting to explain the statement made by me
IN your last issue, and superscribed "Castt
among us! ride into the Senate under false
coiors" Oscars letter might have beer
nine times shorter, and we would have under
stood him, and known him just as well. Lei
me say to him now, and forever that
Sworn to no party, of no sect ami
can't be silenced, and will not be-"
have taken all the means usual (save ask.
ing the accused himself to testify in his own
behalf) to ascertain the truth of the state.
ments made in the letter referred to, and
asked my informant if he would confirm these
statements if put upon his oath-he said he
would. What more could do? Is such the
course of idle rumor, or could sane man say
that my statements were based upon idle
rumor? Oscar says, 81 believe in that caste
which is based upon intelligence and morale
ty." Does Oscar believe in dragging an ig-
norant Irishman into his parlor to take din
ner, in order to prove social equality? This
is the doctrine of one of our ablest colored
men in the United States. Oscar says the
draught is bitter. If not into my pew, surely
not into my parlor. But this is the law of
brotherhood regulated not by statutes but by
the inward teachings of the heart, and the
maxims of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Oscars invectives pass by me like the idle
wind which heed not. Senator Sawyer voted
against the Civil Rights Bill, and on public
occasion he was partly Kissed when endeavor-
ing to speak favorably of the negro. A negro
asks for himself civil rights, and then would
show indifference to color. Are not both
unrghteous acts? Do not each sail under
false colors? l have no colorphobia in me,
Oscar!
Charles Sumner says " that the sale of arms
to France shall be investigated, as suspicion
hangs around il" and he is denounced az UNI
patriotic. He says no distinction shall be
made on account of color, and he is said to be
dying of negro philanthropy. No wonder,
then, that an humble individual like myself
should be pelted at, even with straw, by the
funny Oscar, whose efforts in your last issue
reminds us of the bubble on the water, in a
moment seen, and then bursts into nothing
ness.
mouth, or my hand be palsied ere cease to
speak or write in denunciation of wrong, and
the unfounded prejudice against color, which
by the strong arm of men and their vile
hearts, have enslaved race, and placed it
into ignominy among nations. The person
from whom derived information says, at
is my personal knowledge" Oscar says, cit
is my personal knowledge" Now since sail
men are liars" how is the truth of these re-
spective statements to be ascertained
" Truth crushed to earth will rise again. If
the statements given by my informant be
true or untrue, they will rise or fall in the
power of the class to which they belong. I'll
they be true, they must live monument of
shame to him who uttered them, and blur
to all his past heroic efforts. But if all that |
Oscar states in defense of the gentleman's |
principle, las the facts are not denied but eX-
plainedD be admitted, does not alter the fact |
that the phrase "blackbelt' was an I'M
worthy appellation Of men whose color is no |
disgrace, and for which they are not respon-
sible? Would the gentlemen referred to have
objected to rhae belt, surrounding him
Who believes it? Then the color of the belt |
was the Objectionable part, else it needed no
description.
If the church is as unholy as Oscar states,
let it defend itself, or we shall have to ask |
Oscars favor to continue our mania to get |
into print, and show up the error of the |
church, thing which Oscar admits he knows
Of; but has never dared to bring to public |
notice. 4h e t,4s %t-
We would not complain against, or eject
from pew, any person in the House of the |
Lord, though he be ignorant or even bar
barous.
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers
for thereby some have entertained angels I'M
awares. Remember them that are in bonds |
as bound with them," saith the scriptures.
d. A. S.