The New York herald., 1872-08-12
SUMNER SAMBOIZING.
Letter to st. Domingo White About
Grants Neglect Of Black.
The Slight that Fred Douglass Felt Keenly-The
Senator Putting Oolored Mans Hotel.

WASHINGTON, August III, 1872.
Mr.. Sumner will leave here tomorrow evening
for New York, where he intends remaining several
days, and win then 60 on to Boston. In reply to
the question whether he will take active part In
the campaign, he says he has not yet made up his
mind, but that he may deliver one or two addresses
before the election. The statement of Andrew d.
White, who was member OF the st. Domingo Com.
MISSION has provoked from Mr. Sumner the follow
ing reply
MY DEAR SIR-I am surprised by a statement,
purportlng to proceed from you, which hnd under
the telegraphic head to the effect that have MIS-
represented facts with regard to Frederick
Douglass. In making this allegation you defend
Mr.. Douglass was well treated by them l have
never said the contrary nor have ever alluded to
or hint can be found on the subject in anything
written or spoken by me. My allusiOn was to the
exclusion Of Mr.. Douglass from the common table
of the mail packet on the Potomac almost within
sight Of the Executive Mansion, simply on account
Of color, and added that the President whose
invitation he had Joined the Commission, never
uttered a word in rebuke or this exclusion, aud
when entertaining the returned Commissioners at
CAREFULLY OMITTED MIR. DOUGLASS,
who was in Washington at the time aud thus re-
peated the lndignity, on this you are represented
but that, in fact, Mr.. Douglass and General Sigel
had already left for their homes forgetting that
not allow yourself to doubt that, had they been In
town, they would have been included in the invita-
that they ought to have been invited; but please
not to forget that there was reason for inviting
Mr. Dusss that d mot exist Hs IN the case nS Ss Of
had suffered no indignity on board mail packet
which II was in the power Of the President to re.
buke by example. But you are mistaken In the
The; The Commissoners on reached Washington on the
dinner by the President March 80 On the day s
before the dinner Mr.. Douglass pre-
Columbia, and on taking the chair made speech.
Mr.. Chapman was nominated against Mr.. Douglass,
who made another speech thanking his supporters
for their votes To crafty the friends OF Mr.. Doug
lass there was an understanding that he should
These things show that Mr.. Douglass was not only
in Washington. but conspicuonsly so.presding at
date for Congress. But we not left to inference.
Mr.. A. M. Green, OF Washington, who at the con-
sures me that he did not leave town TIL some days
later. Mr.. Green further states in note, dated
August 10, now before me, that about this time he
ton to his appointment by the President as Sec
retary OF the District; that Mr. Douglass, while
thanking them for their earnestness in Ills behalf,
HE HAD NO HOPE OF SUCCESS;
that he had new evidence Of the conservative
character or tendency or the administration, which
warranted him in the opinion that he could not
sGsG Sese na Words NOT " onv ne9scteS
without any rebuke for the offence from the Presi-
dent, but the commissioners have been invited to
dine with the President, and the same spirit OF
neglect has been exhibited In that respect Also"
Mr.. Green adds that recently while on the way to,
the National COlOred Convention at New Orleans
Mr. Douglass, III conversation with Mr.. Downing
and himself referred In complaining spirit to this
circumstance. have also before me a note dated,
August 10. from Mr.. Wormley, so well known for
his excellent hotel In Washington, who says
that he asked Mr. Douglass shortly after his return
If he had dined with the President and the Com
missioners, to which he answered mo, and
FOR THE GOOD REASON THAT WAS NOT INVITED"
and then added "It is no use TO deny II, but feel
1t keenly." This was at Mr. Douglass office. On
another occasion, at his sons house, referring to
the same thing, he said to Mr.. W0rmley II feel it
keenlyr Mr. Gray. recently nf the Legislative Coun
ell of the District to which position he was nomi-
mated by the President and confirmed by tie
Senate. and now q school trustee assures me that
Mr. Douglass spoke to him OF his omission by the
President with the same feeling that he exhibited
to. Mr.. Wormlcy and Mr.. Green. These wit
nesses are all colored, but even without
the new law nobody would question their
testimony. I add my own acquaintance
with the case At my house Mr.. Douglass, while
speaking not unkndly, said he felt the Presidents
neglect in not inviting him to dine, which was
more noticeable as he had gone to St. Domingo at
the express invitation OF the President and on his
return was nsulted on board the Potomac mail
packet. He added that an invitation from the
President
WOULD HAVE BEEN PROPER REBUKE
to those who had insuted him. Iw add that 1t
Is a matter of common notOricty that Mr.. Douglass
will not disguise his feeling on account OF this
Presidential Incident. Such are. the facts on the
evidence I think that you will clearly see, my
dear sir that n there is any misstatement, you ex
Faithfully, yours. CHARLES SUMNER.
IN no A. ID