The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-08-13
Charles summers Letter to he CO'orcd
Men,

WASHINGTON, July 20th'-G Gentlemen
and Fel(ow Citizens You only do me
simple justice when you add IA belief that
my counsel at this cr't;""l ",onen. o.
your citizenship would be free from per-
sonal feeling and partisan prejudice. 10
answering your inquiries, can have no
feeling except for your good, which |
most anxiously seek, nor can any preju.
dice Ct any kind oe allowed to interfere.
The occasion is too solemn especially is
there no room for personal feeling and for
partisan prejudice. No man of party can
expect power except Cor general welfare !;
therefore they must be brought to the
stand 'rd of truth, that they 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 be
taken, and assuming my acquaintance
with both, and my observance of their
lives, you invite my judgment between
them, asking me especially which Of the
two, Judging from their antecedents. as
well as the present position, would enforce
the constitution and laws, securing your
civil and political rights with the most
heartfelt sympathy and greatest vgor 7
Here remark that in this inquiry you
naturally put your rights in the fore.
ground. So do |, believing most hearth
ly that the best interest of the whole
country are associated with the complet
est recognition of your rights, so that two
races shall live together in unbroken har
mony also remark that you call at
tention to two things First, the antece
dents of the two candidates, and second
y, their present position. You wish t.
know from these which gives assurance o
the most heartfelt sympathy and creates
vigor in the maintenance of your rights
In othcr words, which, judging from tn,
past, will be your truest friend Tn,
communication with which you have hon
ored me is not alone. Colored fellow cit
liens in other parts of the country, MAJ
say in nearly every state Of the Union
have made similar request, aud som,
complain that have thus far kept silent
| am not iusensible to this appeal, but m,
opinion given, it must be candidly, ac
! cording TO my conscience. In this spiri
9 answer your inquiries, beginning will
the antecedents of the two candidates
t Horace Greeley was born to poverty, AM
, educated himself in printing Office
! President Grant, fortunate 10 early pat
ronage, became a cadet at West Point
and was educated at the public expense
r One started with nothing but industr
, and character the other started with
q military commission One was trained a
civilian, the other as a soldier Horac
Greeley stood forth rcformer and abo
itionist. President Grant enlisted as
proslavery Democrat, and at the election
Of James Buchanan, fortified by his vot
I all the pretensions Of slavery, includin
: the bred Scot. decision, Horace Gree
J Icy from early life was earnest and con
D slant against slavery, fullof sympathy wit
tho colored race, and foremost ia tn
great battle for :heir rights.
: President Grant, except as soldier
2 surrounded by the terrible accident @
5 war, never did anything against SLAYER
D nor has be at any time shown any sym
4 patty with the colored race. Horac
Q Greeley earnestly decided that colore
D citizens should vote, and ably champion
b ed impartial suffrage, but Presiden
Grant was on tho other side. Beyon
these coincidents, which are marked,
s cannot be forgotten that Horace Creole
/ is person of large heart and large I'm
/. Outstanding. Trained to support of hu