The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-08


money, sent several armed ships OF the navy,
including monitors, to maintain the usurper
Baez in power, that through him lie might
obtain the coveted prize. Not content with
strike at tho Independence OF the black re-
public by open menace OF war, and all with
out the sanction Of Congress-, to which is
committed the war making power. Sailing
most powerful monitor. the Dictator, proper
ly named for this service, also the frigste Se-
vern as oonsort and other monitors In their
train, the Admiral, acting under instructions
from Washington, proceeded to the executive
mansion, accompanied by officers OF his
squadron, aud then, pointing to the great
war ships In sight from tho windows, dealt
n,s menafe 81 waI s TO sink or
black, not white. The Admiral would have
done no suoh thing to any white ruler, nor
would our country have tolerated such me-
mace from any Government in tho world.
public. with it's population OF 100000. but to
the African race everywhere, and especially
IN our own country. Nor did it end hero.
For months the navy OF the United States
suited people IN constant anxiety, while Pre-
sident Grant was to them like q hawk sailing
in II, the air, and ready to swoop upon his prey.
This heartless, cruel proceeding found a vic
tim among our white fellow-citizene. An ex-
ceilcnt merchant Of Connecticut, praises by
all who know him, was plunged into prison
by Baez where he was immured becauee it
was feared be would write against the treaty
of anne1ion, and this captivity was prolonged
with the connivance Of two agents of the Pre-
sident, one Of whom finds constant favor
with him, and is part OF tho military ring i'm
mediately about him. That such an outrage
could go unpuniehed shows tho little regard
OF the President for human rights, whether
in white or black.
confess my trials, RS was called to wit
nees these things: Always a supporter OF the
Administr alton, and sincerely desiring to
labor with it, had never uttered a word with
regard to it except in kindness. My early op-
position to the treaty OF annexation Was re-
served, 30 that for some time my opinions
were unknown. 1t was only when saw the
breach Of all law, human and divine, that
was aroused, and then began the anger OF the
President and Of his rings. military and sena-
them besides being humblcd that the great
republic, acting through it's President, could
set such an example, where the National
Constitution. international law and humanity
were all sacrificed. Especially was moved
when 1 saw the indignity to the colored race
which was accomplished by trampling upon a
fundamental principle Of international law,
declaring the equality OF nations, as our De-
claration Of independence declares the equal
ity OF men. This terrible transaction, which
nobody can defend, is among the "antece-
dents" OF President Grant. from which You
can Judge how much the colored race can rely
upon his 'heartfelt sympathes.' Nor can it
be forgotten, that shortly afterward, on the
return of the commission from this island,
Hon. Frederick ouglass. the colored orator,
accomplished in manners ae in eloQuence, was
thrust away from the company nf the com
missioners at the common table Of the mail
packet on the Potomac, almost within sight of
the Executive Mansion, simply On account Of
his color; but the President, ut whose invita-
tion he had joined the commission, never ut
tered word in condemnation OF this exciu
sion, and when entt rtaining the returned
commissioners at dinner, carefully omitted
Mr.. Douglnse, who was in Washington at tho
time, aud thus repeated the indignlty. Other
things might be mentioned showing tho Gym
pathies of the President, but cannot forget
the civil rights bill, which is the cap.stone OF
that equality before the law to which all are
| entitled, without distinctio1 of color. Prcsi-
dent Grant. who could lobby 30 aseiduously
for his st. Domingo scheme full OF wrong to
the colored race, could do nothing for this
benehcent measure. During a long session
of Congress- il was discussed constantly and
the colored people everywhere hung upon the
debate. but there WAS no word of s'heartfelt
sympathy from the President. At last, just be-
fore the nominating convention, he addressed
| a letter to meeting OF coIored fellow citizens
in Washington. called to advance this cause
where he avoided the question, by declaring
himself in favor Of 'tthe exercise Of those
rights to which every citizen should be Justly
| entitled" leaving it uncert ain whether colored
people arc justly entitled to the rights &C.
cured by the pending bill. understand that
Horace Greeley has already been asnaiied by
| an inpracticable Democrat az friendly to this
bill, but nobody has lisped against President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedtnts," deem it my ,nty
to mention the little capacity or industry Of
the President in protecting colorcd PEI, piu
| and in assuring peace at the South. Nobody
can doubt that email portion Of tho eH)rt
and earnest will, even without the lobbying
30 freely given to the San Domingo scheme
| would have averted those Ku klux outrages
which we deplore. 30 that there would have
been no pretenco for further legislation by
| Congress. But he WAS disabled both by cha
| racter aud the drawback OF his own conduct.
| After violating tho Constitution and interna-
tional law to insult the black republic, and
setting an example Of INSTRUMENTATION, he
WAS not III condition to robuke law br bakers.
II. Passing from ''antecedents." 1 come
now to the present position" OF the two eau.
didates, which il tho subject of your next in.
| quiry. II i'll any former particulars the two
are ON an equality, yet in all substantia, re-
| spects the obvious advantage is With Horace
Greeley. Each was nominated by IL Kcpnbli-
can convention, one at Cincinnati and the
other mt Philadelphia. 80 that in this rospcc,
they may seem 10 be on an equality. Hut it
will not fail to DO observed that tlIc conycn-
| ton ut Cincinnati was composed OF able and
acknowledged Republicans. many of whom
| have acted with The party from it's first for.
nation, who, without previous organizations
| came together voluntarily for tho sake OF re-
| form and purity III tho Government; while, on
| the other hand, the convention Mt Philndcl-