The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-01

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at this critical juncture in the period of our
citizenship would be free from personal
feeling and partisan prejudice, have ventur-
ed to request your opinion as to what ac-
ton the colored voters of the nation should
take in the Presidential contest now pend
ing. The choice of our people is now mar
rowed down to General Grant and Horace
Greeley. Your long acquaintance with
both and your observation have enabled
you to arrive at correct conclusion as to
which of the candidates, Judging from their
antecedents as well as their present posi-
ton, will, If elected, enforce the require
ments of the Constitution and the laws
respecting our civil and political rights
with the most heartfelt sympathy and the
greatest vigor.
We hope and trust you will favor us
with such reply as will serve to enlighten
our minds upon this subject, and impel our
people to go forward in the right direction.
Our confidence in your judgment is so
firm that in our opinion thousands OF the
intelligent colored voters of the country
will be guided in their action by your state
ment and advice.
Hoping to receive a reply soon, we have
the honor to be, with great respect, your
obedient servants.
Signed--A. Z. Augusta, M. d., David
Figh, ST., John ii. Smith, Ed Cruiser,
VIM. ii. A. Wormley, William P. Wilson,
R.W. Tompkins, John ii. Brown, Henry
ii Lacy, w. ii. Bell, j. l.. M. Bowen, nj. d.,
3 Jacob Dewitter, Samuel Proctor, j. j.
Ketchum, Charles N. Thomas, William II.
Shorter, Henry Hill, Z. j. Shodd, George
ID. johnson. Christopher A. Fleetwood,
Charles Z. Bruce, David Fisher, Jr., David
King. William Polkcry,
TO Hon. Charles Summer.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., |
July 30, 1872. !
Gentlemen and fello,o-caizeas-Tf l have
DELAYED answering your communication of
INV 1Ith which was duly placed in nv
hands nv vo,,r committee. It is not because
tho nroner course for YOU seemed doubt.
FIJI. hut because | wished to reflect upon
and bc aided nv the information which time
mint snnnlv. Since then have carefully
cons;dered tie INQUIRIES Won have addressed
mo and listened TO much on both sides.
Int NV hest Underwent now is in harmony
Win NV eayly conclusion. / am touched
with The appeal YOU make. Tt i true that
+ am the friend or your race. and am glad
81 RI he oesnrod that in vo,r onin;on | have
he,J a consistent course in tie Senate and
i alsawhere as the snecial advocate of your
r;ghts THAT course. bv the blessing of
Cad + mean 10 hold so long as life lasts.
+ know vour infinite wrongs and feel for
3 then &c INV own. You NAV do me simple
iusticc when YOU add a belief that nv cotin-
sci nj this critical iunctt,re of your citizen
slim would be free from personal feelings
and nartisan prejudice. In answering your
;nou;r;es / can have no feeling except for
vonr good which | most anxiously seek
nor can any prei,ldice of any kind be al
lowed to interfere. The occasion is too SOL
cmn. Esnccially is there no room for per-
sonal feeling or for partisan prejudice. No
man 81, Marty can expect mower except for
thn GENERAL welfare: therefore thew must
he broupbt to she standard of truth that
thev NAV he soon in life and act,
AZ Won are right in saving that the choice
FIR thc Presidency is now narrowed down
to president Grant and Horace Greeley.
One of these is to he taken. and assuming
nv ACQUAINTANCE with both. and nv obser-
vat;on Of their lives Won invite nv iudp.
ment between them. asking me especially
which of the two. Judging from their ante
cedents as well as present nosition. would
enforce the Constitution and laws securing
pour civil and nolitical RIGHTS with fine most
heartfelt svmnathv and The greatest yiror.
Here remark. that in this inouirv Won
naturally inf vonr rights in the foreground
Sodo i heI;cvino most sincerely that fhe hest
interests Of the whole country are associated
with tbe co,nnlatest RECOGNITION IF vonr
rights 81 fiat the two races shall live together
in unhrolxen harmony. also remark
that Won cali attention "a two tbinos-the
antecedents of the candidates. and secondly
their present nosition. Won wish to know
how these. which gives assurance Of most
hnartralt svmnafhv and greatest vioor in the
maintenance of your rights in other words.
which. ;ndyinp from t6e mast will be yonr
truest friend 2
s The communication with which Won have
bonored me il not alone. Colorea fellow-
citizens in other narts of tbc country T
nav cav in nearly every State of the IInn;on
have made a similar request. and some
complain that I have thus far kent silent.
/ am NOT ;nsensible to this anneal. but if
INV opinion is given. il must be candidly.
accor1lmg 10 nv conscience. Tn this shirt
/ answer YOUR inquiries. beginning with
the antecedents Of the two candidates.
Horace Greeley was horn to noye,ty and
educated himself in a printing Office. Pres
ident Grant. fortunate in early patronage.