The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-14
sumner. Advice to the Co,orsd People.

WARRINGTON, D. c., July 20, 1872.
GENTLEMEN AND FELLOW CITIZENS:
I am touched by the appeal you make. 1t IL
true that am the friend OF your race, and
am glad to be assured that in your opinion l
have held consistent course in the Senate
rights. That course, by the blessing OF God,
mean to hold 80 long ae life lasts. l know
your infinite wrongs, and feel them as for my
own. You only do me simple justice when
cal juncture Of your citizenship, would be free
from personal feelings and partisa an prejudice.
In answerinR your inquiries. can have no
feeling except for your good, which most
kind be allowed to interfere. The occasion in
too solemn. Especially is there no room for
personal feeling OF for partisan prejudice.
NO man or party can expect power except for
the general welfare; therefore, they must be
brought to the standard OF truth, that they
may be seen in life and act. You are right III
saying that tho 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 observation OF their livos, you invite
my judgment between them. asking me espe.
cially which OF the two, judging from their
would enforce the Constitution and laws, Sc
curing your civil and political rights, with tho
most heartfelt sympathy and the greatest
vigor. Here romark that, in this inquiry,
you naturally put your rights in tho fore
ground. So do I-bolieving most sincerely
that the best interests of tho whole country
are associated with the completest recognition
OF your rights, 30 that the two races shall live
together in unbroken harmony. l Slso re-
mark that you call attention to two things,
tho ''antecedents'' Of the two candidates; and
secondly: their ''present position" You wish
to know from these which gives assurance of
the most heartfelt sympathy and greatest
vigor in the maintenance OF your rights; i'll
other words, which, judging by the past, will
be your trueet friend.
The communication with which you have
honored me is not alone. Colored fellow. citi-
zens In other parts Of the country, may say
in nearly every State Of the Union, have made
q similar request, and some complain that
to this appeal. But il my opinion is given, it
must be candidly. according to my conscience.
In this spirit answer your inquiries, begin
ming with the autecedents OF the candidates.
educated himself in a printing Office. Presi-
dent Grant. fortunate in early patronage, be-
came cadet at West Point, and was educat-
ed at the public expense. One started with
nothing. but industry and character; the
other started with a military commission.
One WAS trained as civilian; the other as a
soldier. Horace Greeley stood forth as a re-
former and Abolitionist. President Grant OIL
listed as slavery Democrat and, at the
election Of james Buchanan, fortified by his
vote all the pretcnsions OF slavery, including
tho Dred Scott decision. Horace Greeley
from early life was earnest and constant
against slavery, Iull OF sympathy with inc
colored race, and always foremost in the
great battlo for their rights. President
Grant, except as q soldier, summoned by tho
terrible accident OF war, never did anything
against slavery. nor has he at any time
shown any sympathy with the colored raco.
Horace Greeley earnestly desired that colored
citizens should vote and ably championed i'm.
partial suffrage; but President Grant was on
the otherside. Beyond these contrasts. which
are marked, it cannot be forgot en- that Grace
Greeley is person OF large heart and large
human rights, always benefcent with the
poor, always ready for any good cause, and
never deferred by opposition or reproach, as
when for long years he befriended your peo.
pie. Add to these qualities, conspicuous in
his life, untiring industry, which leaves no
moment without it's fruit-abundant political
knowledge-acquaintan with hietory-the
instinct and grasp OF statesmanship-an
amlable nature-a magnanlmous soul, and,
above all, an honesty which no suspicion has
touched, and you have brief portraiture
OF what are the antecedents Of Horace Gree
ley. Few Of these things appear in the Pre-
sldent. His great success in war, and the
honors he has won, cannotlchange the record
OF his conduct toward your people, especially
in contrast with the lifetime fidelity Of his
competitor. while there are unhappy ''ante-
his plans he cares nothing for the colored
race. The story is painful, but 1t must be told.
l refer to the outrage he perpetrated upon
Hayti. with its 100000 blacks. engaged in
the great experiment. OF eelf-government.
Here 10 q moet instructive ''aptecedent." re-
vealing beyond question his true nature, and
the whole is attested by documentary evil
dence. Conceiving the idea OF annexing Do
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