Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-03

tor Sumner this morning:
| AUGUSTA, MAINE, July 81, 1872.
| HoA. CHARLES Sumper,-T. S. Senator
DEAR SIR-Y our letter, published in the pa.
per' OF this morning, will create profound pain
and regret among your former political friend.
throughout New England. Your power to IN
Jure Gen. Grant was exhausted in your r. :
markabie speech in the Senate. Your power
TO njure yourself was not fully exercised un-
Ill you announced an open alliance with the
Southern Secessionists in their efforts TO de-
troy the Republican party of the nation.
have but recently read with much inter
st the circumstantial and minute account
gwen by you in the fourth volume of your
works, OF the manner in which you were
struck down in the Senate Chamber in 1856
tor defending the rights Of the Negro. The
Democratic party throughout the South,
md according To your own showing t.
'ome extent in the North also, approved that
assault upon you. Mr.. Toombs of Georgia.
penly announced his approval of it in the
senate, and Jvftrson Davis, four months after
Is occurrence, wrote a letter to South Carroll
IA IN fulsome eulogy Of Brooks for hariag so
'ea'ly taken yonr life. 1t s safe to say that
very man in the South who reioiced over the
'ttempt to murder you. was afterwards found
II The Rebel conspiracy to nun der the Nation.
1t is still safer to say that every one of them
'ho survives is to-day your fellow laborer
support of Horace Greeley In 1856 he
would indeed have been rash prophet who
predicted your fast alliance sixteen years az
er with Messrs- Toombs and Davis in their
torls TO rtinstate their own party in power
In all the startling mutations of American poll
lies nothing so marvellous has ever occurred
- the fellowship of ROBERT TOONBS,
JEFFERSON DAVIS and CHARLES SUN.
Mex IN joint effort to drive the Republican
arty from power and hand over the Govern
ntnt to the practical control of those who so
recently sought to destroy 1t.
1t Is OF no avail for you TO take refuge be-
mind the Republican record of Horace Gree
~. Cencrding, for the sake of argument.
as do not in fact believe that Horace
ireeley would remain firm in his Republican
principles, he would be powerless against the
congress that would come mo power with him
the event Of his election. We have had a
',cent and striking illustration IN the case of
indrew johnson, of the inability OF the Pres
tient to enforce policy, or even a measure,
'gainst the will Of Congress. What more
1ower would there be in Horace Greeley 10
enforce Republican policy against Demo
rate Congress than there was in Andrew
Johnson to enforce a Democratic policy
against Republican Congress? And be-
'ides, Horace Greeley has already. in his let
.er OF acceptance, taken ground practically
'galost the Republican doctrine 50 often en-
'orced by yourself, of the duty of the Nation
Il Government TO secure the rights of every
cnlzen to protection of life, person and prop
rty In Mr. Greeley's letter accepting the
lncinnati nomination, he pleases every Ku-
hluX villain in the South by repeating the
Democratic cant about "local selfqoreyn-
msnt, and inveighing in good Rebel parlsnce
against naturalization, and finally drclar-
ing that "Mere shall be no FEDERAL SUB.
VERSION OF THE INTERNAL POLICY of the
SEVERAL STATES AND MUNICIPALITIES, but that
each shall be left free to enforce the rights
AID promote the well being of its inhabitants
BY SUCH MEANS AS THE JUDGMENT OF ITS OWN
PEOPLE SHALL PRESCRIBE"
The meaning of all this in plain English is
that no matter how the colored citizens of the
South may be abused, wronged and oppressed,
Congress shall not interfere for their protec-
uon but leave them to the tender mercies of
The "local self government" administered bv
me white Rebels. Do you as friend to the
colored man approve this position of Mr.
Greeley?
You cannot forget, Mr.. Sumner, how often
during the late session of Congress you con-
ierred with me in regard to the possibility of
having your Civil Rights Bill passed by the
House 1t was introduced by your personal
tri' nd, MIR. Hooper, and nothing prevented
ITS passage by the House except the rancorous
and tactious hostility of the Democratic mem
oers II have correctly examined the Globe,
the Democratic memt ers on serenteen differ
ent occasions resisted the passage of the Civil
Rights Bill by the Parliamentary process
known as Fillibustering. They would not
even allow 1t to come to vote. Two intelli-
gent colored members from South Carolina,
Elliott and Rainey, begged of the Democratic
side OF the House to merely allow the Civil
Rights Bill 10 .e voted on, and they were an
swerej with denial SO absolute that il
amounted to a scornful jeer of the rights of
the colofed man. And now you lend your
voice and Influence to the It election of these
Democratic members who are cooperating
with you in the support of Mr.. Greeley. Do
you not know, Mr.. Sumner, and will you not
as candid man acknowledge that with these
men In power in Congress, the rights of the
colored men are absolutely sacrificed so far
as those rights depend on Federal legislation i?
Sull further: the rights of the colored men
in this country are secured, if secured at all,
10y the three great Constitutional amendments,
the 18th, l4th and 18th, To give these amend