The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-17
Sumner. Advice to tho co,orsd People.
WAaHrsoros. D. c.. July 20, 1872.

WARRINGTON, D. c.. July 20, 1872.
GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW CITIZENS:
am touched by the appeal you make. 1t is
true that am the friend OF your race, and
am glad to be assured that in your opinion l
have held consistent course in the Senate
and elsewhere as the special advocate OF your
mean to hold 80 long as life lasts. know
your infinite wronge, and feel them as for my
own. You only do me simple juetice when
you add belief that my counsel, at this criti-
from personal feelings and partisan prejudice.
In answering. your inquiries. can have no
feeling except for your good, which l most
annaa0nsiy sina h seek; nor any prejudice Of any
too solemn. Especially is there no room for
personal feeling or for partisan prejudice.
NO man or party can expect power except for
the general welfare; therefore, they must be
may be seen in life and act. You are right in
saying that the choice for the Presidency is
now narrowed down to President Grant or
Horace Greeley. One OF these is TO bo taken;
and my observation OF their lives, you invite
my judgment between them, asking me espe-
cially which OF tho two, judging from their
antecedents, as we'll as present poeition,
curing your civil and political rights, with the
most heartfelt sympathy and the greatest
vigor. Here remark that, in this inquiry,
you naturally. put your rights in the fore
Siouuu. OO uO 1-DeleVtnS MOST EluCCIely
that the best interests OF the whole country
are associated with the completest recognition
OF yonr rights, 80 that the two races sha all live
together in unbroken harmony. I &lso re-
mark that you call attention to two things,
the ''antecedents'' OF the two candidates; and
secondly. their ''present position" You wish
to know from these which gives assurance Of
the most heartfelt sympathy and greatest
v1gor in the maintenance OF your rights; in
other words, which, judging by the past, viii
be your trueat friend.
The communication with which you have
honored me is not alone. Colored fellow.citi-
in nesrly every State Of the Union, have made
. similar request, and some complain that
have thus far kept silent. ! am not insensible
to this appeal: But il my opinion is given, it
In this spirit answer your inquiries, begin.
ming with the autecedents Of the candidates.
l. Horace Greeley WAS born to poverty and
educated himself in r printing Office. Presi.
came = cadet at West Point, and was educat-
ed at the public expense. One started with
nothing but industry and character; the
other started with q military commission.
One was trained as civilian; the other as q
soldier. Horace Greeley stood forth as re-
former and Abolitionist. President Grant en-
listed as q pro-slavery Democrat. and, at the
election Of James Buchanan, fortified by his
the Dred Scott decision. Horace Greeley
against slavery, full Of sympathy with tho
colored race, and always foremost in the
great battle for tncir rights. President
Grant, except as a soldier, summoned by the
terrible accident Of war, never did anything
against slavery, nor has he at any time
shown any sympathy with the colored race.
Horace Greeley earnestly desired that colored
partial suffrage; but President Grant was on
the other side. Beyond these contrasts, which
are marked, itcannot be forgotten that Horace
Greeley is person OF large heart and large
understanding, trained to the support Of
human rights, always benefcent with the
poor, always ready for any good cause, and
never deferred by opposition or reproach, as
when for long years he befriended your peo-
pie. Add to these qualities, conspicuous In
his life. untiring industry, which leaves no
moment without it's fruit--nbundant political
knowledge with history-the
instinct and grasp OF statesmanship-an
above all. an honesty which no suspicion has
touched, and you have Q brief portraituYe
OF what are the antecedents OF Horace Gree
ley. Few OF these things appear In the Pre-
sident. His great success in war, and the
honors he has won, oannotichange the record
OF his conduct toward your people, especially
in contrast with the lie-time fidelity OF his
competitor. while there are unhappy "ante-
oedents" showing that In the prosecution OF
his plans he cares nothing for the colored
race. The story Is painful, but 1t must be told.
l refer to the outrage he perpetrated upon
Hayti, with Its 300, 900 blacks, engaged In
the great experiment OF self government
Here is most instructive "antecedent," re-
vealing beyond question his true nature. and
the whole is attested by documentary evil
dence. Conceiving the idea Of annexing Do