Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-08-09

nous soul, and, above all, an honesty
which no suspicion has touched, and you
have brief porlraiture. These are the an
tecedents of Horace Greeley.
Few of these things appear In the pros-
dent. His great success in the war and the
bonors he has won cannot change the re-
cord of his conduct toward your people,
especially in contrast with the lifetime
fidelity of his competitor, while there are
unhappy antecedents, showing that in the
prosecution of his plans he cares nothing
for the colored race. The story is painful
but il must be told. / refer TO the outrage
he perpotraied upon Hayti, with lis 100000
blacks, engaged in the great experiment of
self government. Hero is most instruc-
tive antecedent, revealing beyond question
his true nature, and the whole is attested
by documentary evidence. Conceiving the
idea of annexing San Domingo, which is the
Spanish part of the island, and shrinking
from nothing, he began by seizing the wa
powers of the government, IN 3agiaut Viol~
lation of the constitution, and then at great
expenditure of money, sent several armed
ships of the navy, including the Monitors,
to continue the usurper, Baez, in power,
that through him he might obtain the cove
ted prize. Not contented with this auda-
cious dictatorship, he proceeded to strike
at the independence of the Black Republic
| in open menace of war, and all without the
sanction of Congress, to which is commit
ted the war-making power. Sailing into
| the harbor of Port au Prince with our most
powerful monitor the Dictator" proper
ly named for the service, also the frigate
Severn as consort and other monitors in
their train the admiral acting under in
structions from Washington, proceeded TO
the executive mansion, accompanied by
the officers of his squadron, and then,
pointing to the great war-ships in sight
from the windows, dealt his menace of war,
threatening to sink or capture the Haytien
ships. The president was black, not white.
The admiral would have done no such a
thing to any white ruler, nor would our
country have tolerated as much from any
! goveIn Inment in the world. Here was an
indgnity, not only to the black republic,
with its population of 100000, but to the
African race everywhere, especially in our
own country. Nor did it end here. For
months the navy of the United States was
hov vering on the coast, keeping that insult
ed people in constant anxiety, while Presi-
dent Grant was like a hawk sailing in air
ready TO swoop upon his prey. This heart
less, cruel proceeding found victim
among our white iellow-citizens. An ex-
celent merchant Of Connecticut, priced by
all who knew him, was plunged into prison
by Baez, where he was immured because
IL was feared he would write against the
treaty of annexation and this captivity
was prolonged with tile connivance of the
two agents of the president, one of whom
is found constantly with him and is part
of the military ring Immediately about
him. That such an outrage should go un-
punishe d shows the little regard the presi-
dent has tor human rights, whether in
white or black.
/ confess my trial, as was called to wit
ness these things. Always a supporter OF
the administration, and sincerely desiring
to labor with it, l had never uttered Il word
with regard to il, except in Kindness. My
early opposition to the treaty of fannexa-
ton was reserved, so that for some time
my opinions were unknown. 1t was only
when / saw the breach Of all law, human
and divine, that l was aroused, and then
began the anger of the president and his
rings. Devoted to the African race, fell
for them, besides being troubled that the
great republic, acting through its president
could set such an example, wherein the
national constitution, international law and
humanity were sacrificed. Especially was
moved when l saw the indignity to thu
colored race, which was accomplished by
ira mpling on the fundamental principle o
international law, declaring the equality o
nations, as our declaration of independence
declares the equality OF men.
This terrible transaction, which nobod,
can defend, is among the antecedents o
President Grant, from which you cal
Judge how much the colored race can rel,
on his "heartfelt sympathy"
Nor can it be forgotten that, shortly after
ward, on the return of the commission
from this island, the Hon Frederick Doug
lass, the colored orator, accomplished il
man ners as in eloquence, was thrust ava.
from the company of the commissioners a
!: the co mmon table of the mail packet on til
Potomac, almost within sight of the execu
tive mansion, simply on account of hi
) color. But the president at whose invita-
: ton he had joined the commission, neve
, uttered word in condemnation of this ex
clusion, and, when entertaining the re
/ turned commissioners at dinner, CAREFUL
omitted Mr.. Douglass, who was in Wash
. ington at the time, and thus repeated th
indignity.
I,i, t,I,f lA nj a1 m
0 showing the sympathies of the presiden
l but I cannot forget the civil rights bill
r which is the capstone of that equality be
= fore the law to which all are entitled, with
t out distinction of color. President Gran
J.. who could lobby so assiduously for his Sa
= Domingo scheme, full of wrong to the co
o ored race, could do nothing for them {
home. Fearing long session of Congress
d it was discouraged constantly, and colore
! people everywhere hung upon the debat
= but there was no word of "heartfelt syn
d pathy" from the president. AT last, ju
@ before the meeting of the convention i
a addressed a letter to a meeting of colore
y fellow citizens in Washington called 10 az
4; vance this cause, where he avoided III
y question by declaring himself in favor
J. ''the exercise of those rights TO which ever
l. citizen should be justly entitled" leavin
IS it uncertain whether colorod people al
= Justly entitled TO the rights insured by Il
d pending bill. Horace Greeley has bee
y assailed by an impracticable democrat
l. being friendly to this bill, but nobody hi
d lisped word against President Grant c
T. this account.
Z Among his antecedents l deem it m
10 duty to mention the little capacity or il
1t dustry of the president in protecting Il
v colored people and in assuring peace at Il
20 South. Nobody can doubt that. sma
L nnriion of tho effort and earnest will. eYI