The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1872-08-10
SUMNER ON TIE DUTIES OF COLORED
VOTERS.
A Fearful Arrangement Of Grant--1Iis
Record an Insult to the African Race.

a Fearful Arrangement OF Grant--AiS
Record an Insult to the African Race.
Below will bc found extracts from
Charles Summers recent letter to the
who recently asked his counsel in this
critical period of our citizenship. The
letter should be circulated freely among
/ the colorcd people, and read to them at
all meetings. as many will no doubt be
guided in their action by his statement
and advice:
WAsHINGToN, July %, 1872.
Cc.atlcmen t,,.1 EcNow- -Citi=cns:
lam touched by the appeal you make.
1t is true that am the friend of your
race, and 1 am glad to be assured that
, in your opinion 1 have held constant
course in the Senate and elsewhere as
the special advocate of your rights
That course, by the blessing of God, 1
mean to hold so long as life lasts. 1
know your infinite wrongs, and feel for
them as my own.
You only do me simple justice when
you add a belief that my counsel at this
critical juncture of your citizenship
would be free from personal feeling and
partisan prejudice. In answering your
inquiries, can have no feeling except
for your good, which most anxiously
seek.
You are right in saying that the
choice for the Presidency is now mar
rowed down to President Grant or
Horace Greeley. One of these is to be
taken; and, assuming my acquaintance
with both, and my observation of their
lives, you invite my judgment between
them, asking me especially which of
the two, Judging from their antecedents
as we'll as present position, would en-
force the constitution and laws, secur-
ing your civil and political rights with
the most heartfelt sympathy and the
greatest vigor.
Here l remark that in this inquiry
you naturally put your rights in the
foreground; so do 1, believing most
sincerely that the best interests of the
whole country are associated with the
complctest recognition OF your rights,
so that the two races shall live together
in unbroken harmony.
The communication with which you
have honored me is not alone. Colored
fellOW-citizens in other parts of the
country, l may say in nearly every
State in the Union, have made similar
request; and some complain that have
thus far kept silent. am not insensi-
bic to this appeal but if my opinion is
given it must be candid, according to
my conscience. In this spirit I answer
your inquiries, beginning with the an
tecedents of the candidates.
Horace Greeley was born to poverty,
and educated himself in Il printing
office. President Grant, fortunate in
early patronage, became 4 cadet at West
Point, and was educated at the public
expense. The one started with nothing
but industry and character; the other
started with Il military commission.
One was trained as a civilian; the other
as soldier. Horace Greeley stood forth
as 4 lteformer and Abolitionist ; Prcsi-
dent Grant enlisted as a pro-slavery
Democrat, and at the election of james
buchanan fortified by his vote all the
pretensions of slavery, including the
Dred scott decision. Horace Greeley
from early life was earnest and constant
against slavery, full of sympathy with
the colorcd race, and always foremost
in the great battle for their rights
President Grant, except as soldier
summoned by the terrible accident of
war, never Cd anything against slave
ry, nor has he at any time shown any
sympathy with the colorcd races. Hor-
ace Greeley earnestly desired that the
colorcd tcllOW-citiZcnS should vote, and
ably championcd impartial suffrage,
but President Grant was on the other
side.
Beyond these contrasts, which are
marked, it cannot be forgotten that
Horace Greeley is u man of large heart
and larger understanding, trained to
the support of human rights, always
ready for any good cause, and never
deferred by opposition or reproach, as
when for long years he befricntlcd your
people. Add to these qualities, con-
spicuous i'll his life, the untiring indus
try which leaves no moment without
its fruit, abundant political knowledge,
acquaintance with history, the instinct
and grasp of craftsmanship, an amiable
nature, "A magnanimous soul, and above
all an honesty which no suspicion has
touched, and you have 4 brief portrait
turc. These arc the anteccucnts of
Horace Greeley.
Few Of these things appear i'll the
PRESIDENT His great success in war
amt the honors he has won cannot
change the record of his conduct toward
your people, especially in contrast with
4 ~ tt.l, I.