The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-09

minioa, which is the Spanish part Of the
island, aud shrinking at nothing, Le began
by seizng the war powers Uf the Govern
ment, in hagrant violation OF the Conetitu.
ton, and then, at great expenditure of
money, sent several armed ships Of the navy,
including monitors. to maintain the usurper
Baez in power, that through him he might
obtain the coveted prize. Not content with
this audacious Dictatorship, he proceeded to
strike at tho independence of tho black re-
public by open monaco OF war, aud all with
out the sanction OF Congress, to which is
committed the war making power. Sailing
into the hnrbor Of Port-au Prince with our
most powerful monitor, the Dictator, proper
ly named for this service, also the frigate Sc
vern as consort and other monitors in their
train, the Admiral, acting under instructions
from Washington, proceeded to the executive
mansion, accompanied by officers OF his
squadron, and then, pointing to tho great
his menace Of war, threatening to sink or
capture Haytien ships. The President WAS
black, not white. The Admiral would have
done no such thing to any white ruler, nor
mace from any Government in the world.
Here was indignity not Only to tho black re-
public, with it's population OF 800. 900, but to
the African race everywhere, and especially
For months the navy OF the United States
was lowering on the coast, keeping that in
suited people in constant anxiety, while Pro-
sident Grant was to them like hawk sailing
This heartless, cruel proceeding found vic
tim among our white fellow citizens. An ex-
collent merchant OF Connecticut, praiscL by
all who know him, was plunged into prison
by Baez, where he WAS immured because it
vas feared be would write against the treaty
OF anne1ion, and this captivity WAS prolone ed
with the connivance Of two agents Of the Pre-
sidont, ono OF whom finds constant favor
mediately about him. That such an outrage
couh 20 unpunished shows the little regard
OF the President for human rights whether
in white or black.
1 confess my trials, as was called to wit
ness these things. Always supporter OF the
Administration, and sincerely desiring to
labor with it, had never uttered word with
regard to it except in kindness. My early op.
position to the treaty Of annexation was re re-
served. so that for some time my opinions
were unknown. 1t WAS only when saw the
breach OF all law, human and divine, that
WAS aroused, and then began the anger OF tho
President and of his rings. military and sena-
torial. Devoted to the African race, I felt for
them. beeides being humbled that the great
republic, acting through it's President. could
set such an example, where tho National
Constitution, international law and humanity
were all sacrificed. Especially was moved
when l cav the indignity to the colored race
which was accomplished by trampling upon q
fundamental principle Of international law,
Declaring the equality Of nations. as our De-
claration OF Independence declares the equal
ity OF men. This terrible transaction, which
nobody can defend, is among the "antccc.
dents" OF President Grant, from which you
can judge how much the colored race can rely
upon his "hcartfelt sympathies." Nor can it
be forgotten, that shortly afterward, OH the
return of the commission from this island
Hon. Frederick ouglass, the colured orator
accomplished in manners az in elouucncc, was
thrust away from tho company Uf the COM
missiopers at the common table Of the mail
packet OH the Potomac, almost within sight Of
tho Executive Mansion, simply on account of
his color; but tho President, at whose invita-
tion he had joined the commission, never ut
tered word i'll condemnation OF this exclu
sion, and when entertaining tho returned
commissioners at dinner, carefully omitted
Mr.. Douglass. who was in Washington ut the
time, and thus repeated tho indignity. Other
things might be mentioned showing tho sym
pathies of the President, but cannot forget
the civil rights bill, which ia tho cap.stonc OF
that equality before the law to which all are
entitled, without distinction of color. Presi-
dent Grant. who Guild lobby 80 assiduousy
for his st. Domingo scheme. full OF wrong to
tho colored race, could do nothing for this
beneticent measure. During long session
of Congress, it was discussed constantly, and
tho colored people everywhere hung upon the
debate. but there was no word of 'heartfelt
sympathy from the President. At last, just be-
fore the nominating convention, he addressed
letter to meeting OF colored fellow citizens
i'll Washington, called to advance this cause,
where he avoided the question, by declaring
himself in favor of "the exercise of those
rights to which every citizen should be Justly
entitled" leaving it uncertain whether cUlorod
people are justly entitled to the rights se-
cured by the pending bill. I understand that
Horace Greeley has already been assailed by
an impracticable Democrat as friendly to this
bill, but nobody has lisped against President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedents," deem it my duty
to mention the little capacity or indust of
the President in protecting colored people
and in assuring peace at the South. Nobody
can doubt that a small portion Of tho effort
and earnest will, even without tho lobbying
30 freely given to the San Domingo scheme,
would have averted those Ku Klux outrages
which we deplore. 30 that there would have
been no pretence for further legislation by
Congress. But he was disa bled both by cha
ractor and the drawback OF his own conduct.
After violating the Constitution aud interna-
tional Law to insult the black republic, and
setting all example OF insubordinatiop, he
was not in condition TO rebuke law breakers.
II. Passing from ''antecedents." l come
now to tho ''present position" OF the two call
ddatcs. which is the subject of your ntxt in.
qury. Ii i'll any former particulars tho two
are OH an equality, yet in all substantia. re-
spects tho obvious advantage il With Horace
Greeley. Each Was nominated by Kcpubli-
can convention, ono at Cincinnati aud tho
other at Philadelphia, 30 that in this respect
they may seem to be on an equality. Ijm, it
will not fail to DO observed that the cnnven-
tlon ut Cincinnati was composed of able and