American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-08-17

/
coast, keeping that insulted people in con
| slant anxiety, while President Grant was t.
them like hawk sailing in the air and ready
| to swoop upon his prey.
This heartless, cruel proceeding found
victim among our white fellowcitizens. A.
excellent merchant in Connecticut, praised
by all who knew him, was plunged into pris
on by BaeZ, where he was immured because
it was feared he would write against the
treaty of annexation, and this captivity was
| prolonged with the connivancc of the two
agents of the President, one of whom is
| found constantly with him, and is part OF
the military ring Immediately about him
| That such an outrage could go unpublished
shows the little regard of the President fol
human rights, whether in white or black.
| Nor can it be forgotten, that shortly after
ward, on the return of the commission from
| this island, Hon. Fred. Douglass, the colcred
| orator, accomplished in manners as in elo
| quence, was thrust away from the company
| of the Commissioners at a common table OF
| the mail-packet on the Potomac, almost
| within sight of the Executive Mansion, sim
| ply on account of his color. But the Presi-
| dent, at whose invitation he had Joined the
Commission, never uttered word in con-
domination of this exclusion, and when en-
dinner, he carefully omitted Douglass, who
was in Washington at the time, and thus re-
peated the indignity
The hardwood OF political falschood
reaches the extreme point when it is asserted
that under Horace Greeley the freedmen
will be enslaved, or that the colored people
will, in any way, suffer in their equal rights.
On the contrary, they have, in his election
the promises of the platform, also a SPLEEN
did example. To suppose that Horace Gree
ley, when placed where he can do them most
good, will depart from the rule of his hon
est life, is an insult to reason.
1t is none the less idle to suppose that the
nnv, IA firo
pect or desire that he should depart from
those principles which are the glory of his
character. They have accepted the Cincin-
natl platform with its two-fold promises, and
intend in good faith to maintain it. The
Democrats cannot turn back. Seeking es-
pecially the establishment of character in
the National Government, they will expect
their President to be always true to himself.
Besides all this which may fifty guide you
in determining between the two candidates,
it is my duty to remind you that as citizens
of the United States and a part of the coun-
try your welfare is indissolubly associated
with that of the whole country. Where
prosperous you will be gamers. Therefore.
while justly careful of your own rights, you
cannot be Indifferent to the blessings of
good government. 1t is for you to consider
whether the time has not come for some
thing better than the sword, and whether a
character like Horace Greeley does not give
stronger assurance of good government than
can be found in the insulter of the colored
race already famous from the rings about
him and his plain inaptitude for civil life.
The supporters of President Grant compel
us to observe his offenses and shortcomings.
The comparison they challenge cannot be
declined. 1t will be for others in the present
canvass to hold it before the people.
Allow me to call attention to another and
controlling consideration, which cannot be
neglected by good citizens watching the
remarkable movement which has ended in
the double nomination of Horace Greeley.
1t is easy to see that it did not proceed from
politicians whether at Cincinnati or Balti-
more. Evidently it was the he-rt of the
people sorely wrung by the war, and the
controversies it engendered, which found
expression. Sir Phillip Sidney said of the
uprising in the Netherlands, at is the spirit
of the Gods" and such a spirit is manifested
now, notwithstanding the counteracting in
iuence of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and
Democrats. In the face of persistent ridi-
cule, and against the extravaganza and I'M
scrupulous opinions, the nominations at
Cincinnati were triumphantly adopted at
Baltimore. Such an unprecedented victory
without concert of any kind can be explained
only by supposing it is in harmony with the
popular longing. That the Democracy, and
especially those of the South, should adopt
a lifetime Abolitionist for President is an
assurance of willingness to respect the
rights of their colored fellow citizens with
that reconciliation of which Greeley was the
early representative, in standing by Jefferson
Davis at his trial, and signing his bail bond,
he showed the same sentiment of humanity
he so constantly displayed in standing by
the colored race throughout their prolonged
trial; SO that the two discordant races find
kindred hospitality in him, and he thus be-
comes the tie of the Union.
The nomination has been adopted by the
Democrats, in convention assembled. Thus
was the event accomplished which the sup
porters of President Grant declared impossi-
BILE. 1 do not see how it can be regarded 9TH
erwise than as peace-offering. AS such it
is of infinite value. 1t is revolution, and its
success in pacifying the country will be in
proportion to its acceptance by us. 1 dare
not neglect the great opportunity. Nor can
1 stand aloof. 1t is in harmony with my life,
which places peace above all things except
the rights of men. Thus far, in constant eff
forts for the colored race, have sincerely
sought the good Of all, which was sure
would be best obtained in fulfilling the prom
ises of the Declaration Of Independence,
which acted appears in an early speech,
when l said nothing in vengeance, nor have
l asked for punishment. Most anxiously
l have looked for the time which seems now
at hand, when there shall be reconciliation
not only between North and South, but be-
tween the two races, SO that the two sec
tions and the two races may be lifted from
the ruts and grooves in which they are now
fastened, and instead Of irritating antago-
nism there should be sympathy. The
existing differences ought to be ended. There
is time for all things, and we are admOn-
ished by widespread popular uprising,
bursting the bonds of party, that the time
has come for estrangement to cease between
people who must live together.
Gladly do 1 welcome the happy signs, nor
can observe without regret, colored people
in organized masses resisting the friendly
overtures, even to the extent Of the intimida-
ton of those who are the other way. 1t is
for them to consider carefully whether they
should not take advantage of this uneXpect-
ed offering, and recognize the bail bond
given at Baltimore as an assurance of peace,
holding parties to the full performance of its
conditions, provided always their rights are
filed. / am sure it cannot be best for the
colOred people to band together in hostile
alive the separation of the races. Above all
there must be no intimidation, but every
voter must act freely without constraint.
How much better will it be when two polit-
ical parties compete for your votes, each
anxious for your support. Only then will
that citizenship to which you are entitled
have its full fruits. Only then will there be
that harmony which is essential to true civil
ization. At present the position of the col
ored citizen is in peril, exposed to injurious
no early extrication except in the way now
Let him cut adrift from the
managers who would WELD him merely as a
political force, with little regard to his own
good, and bravely stand by the candidate
who has stood by him. If the Democrats
unite with them, much the better. The
association once begun, must naturally ripen
into common friendship and trust.
1 am for peace in reality. From the bot
tom of my heart am for peace, and 1 vel
come ali that makes peace with deep-felt
/ remember that no citizen
that drew his sword against us has suffered
by the hand of the executioner. In just as
ISOLATION with this humanity will be the tri-