New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-08-29
OhipcliO..~ to Hon. Charles sum-
Rer'S Advice To- C"lOrcd voters.
nnd why 1: Should not be Taken.

against Gen. Grant, thereby rendering him
self unfit to counsel or advise in respect to
one whom he had animadverted on i'll terms
the most bitter and denunciatory, and against
whom he had the strongest feelings of preju-
dice and dislike. As an interested party he
could not possibly give an impartial Or I'M
biased judgment. AS evidence see speech
in the United States Senate, the day before
the session of the Republican Convention in
Philadelphia. This point is clear, but if cx-
ception he taken, i will simply state that the
human mind is So constituted it will neccs-
sarily be governed by its prejudices. Prcju-
dice, like jealousy, gives its own colorinS on
every object upon which it reflects. Hence
in courts of justice, when interested parties
ere brought cn the stand, their testimony is
always taken with good deal of allowance.
Prejudice has precisely the same influence and
effect upon the mind as yellow jaundice has
upon the sight {; every thing appears yellow !;
SO with prejudice, you can see no good in the
person against whom you are preJudiced.
Secondly. Mr.. Summers advice presuppo-
ses that the party to whom il is addressed
are not competent to decide for themselves.
1t is true they have not the condition, the
learning, nor the talent, but they have conf
mon sense, intelligence, and understanding.
They know their friends from their foes.
They know that 'rractice is better than pre-
cept." That faction speaks louder than
words" besides they have natural instinct
that tells them right from wrong, the good
from the bad. They know the STAKEHOLDER
and the oppressor better than Mr.. Sumner,
for they have felt his power. They know
that if the devil be dressed in the livery of an
angel, he is a devil still. They know they
have nothing to gain by an alliance with the
so-called Liberal Republicans, and everything
to lose, for both in the national and State Leg
islatures the record of the Democrats espe-
cially and also of the Liberals was in oppo-
sition to tho rights of the colored man up to
the assembling of the Cincinnati and Balti-
more Conventions.
But MIR. sumner says they have adopted
the Cincinnati platform, therefore their prin-
ciples have changed, they can now be trusted;
but can the leopard change his spots, can
the Ethiopian change his color" then may
they who are accustomed to do evil learn to
do well.
For example, look at Andrew Johnson he
subscribed to Republican principles he was
lifelong Democrat, but as soon rs installed
into office he returned to his wallowing in the
mire. Ifthis be true Of individuals, how much
more true of large bodies of men, associated
and organized together as parties or societies.
Principles, like habits, become confirmed after
much use; they become part and parcel OF
ones nature.
Third. Mr.. Sumnercyidences Mr.. Greeley's
previous record as proof of his integrity.
This we shall not stop to discuss, because
there are things which he has said and done,
principles of liberty and equality. Suffice it
to say, that his company, which constitute
more than four-ifths of his supporters, are of
opposite principles; and if, as the wise man
says, one sinner destroyeth much good great
number of sinners destroys much more good,
three hundred thousand Gf he gets them ally
will destroy thrice hundred thousand times
as much. Further still, man is known by
the company he keeps. Greeley of 1870 and
1871, as late as April, is not Greeley the nom
inee Of the Cincinnati Convention, and if such
q radical change can be effected in his char
acter in the space of a few short months, what
would four years do if elected? In what has
he changed, it is asked? He says 1 am a
Republican still. He has changed on the all
important subject of State rights, or what is
termed local State governments also ON his
lifelong cherished principles OF protection as
against free trade he has utterly ignored that
This shows the man. Further still, Mr.. Sum
ner adverts To the acts OF Grant and the AID.
mnistration, as proof Of their character at pre-
sent. We have the same right to refer to the
antecedents Of the Democratic party in proc!
OF their character. If, according 10 Mr.. sum.
ner, the Republican party cannot be trusted
on the ground Of its present professions the
Philadelphia platform with all it has done fol
honesty, justice, and liberty, surely the Dem
ocratic party cannot be trusted for what it has
done with its present professions, the Gin
clnnati platform.
Let us see what Horace Greeley says a
late as March, 1871: "The Democratic part,
OF to-day is simply the rebellion seeking t.
achieve its essential purpose within ant
through the Union. A victory which doe.
not enable it to put its feet on the nccks o
the black race, seems, to the bulk Of its adj
herents, not worth having. It's heart i
just where it was when it regarded the Con
stitution and slavery as two names for on
thing. 1t hates the generals who led til
Union armies to victory, and rarely misses
chance to disparage them. It clings t
that exaggerated notion of State right
which makes them the shield Of all name
OF wrongs and abuses. 1t takes counsel c
its hates, even more than Of its aspersions
and will be satisfied with no triumph tina
does not result in the expulsion of all active
earnest Republicans from the South, and, h
might have added, from place and fror
power. He is good authority, and this is hi
company; and the Good Book tells us
That evil communications corrupt 200
morals"
I might quote to any extent, bat one ia,
is worth thousand arguments such as NJ