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

Of the YEAS were Democrats; ALL the NAYS
were Democrats.
| The resolution of Mr.. Peters vas followed,
week later, by one offered by Mr.. Stevenson
of Ohio, as follows:
"Resolved, That we recognize as valid and
'bnding all existing laws passed by Congress
'for the enforcement of the thirteenth, four
'teenth and fifteenth amendments of the Con-
'sttuton of the United States, and for the
protection of citizens in their rights under
''the Constitution as amended"
On the vote upon this resolution there were
10Y YEAS to Go NAYS. ALL THE YEAS were
Republicans. and they are now unanimous in
support Of President Grant. All the nays
were Democrats who are now equally unani
nous in support of Mr.. Greeley.
1t is idle to affirm as some Democrats did
in res olution offered by Mr.. Brooks Of New
York, that "tbese amendments are valid parts
of the constitution so long as the same men
on the same day vote that the provisions OF
those amendments should not be enforced by
Congressional legislation. The amendments
are but sounding brass and tnkling Gym
balls to the colored man until Congress makes
them effective and practical Nay more: if
the rights of the coored man are to be left to
the legislation of the Southern states, without
Congre ssional intervention, he would under a
Democratic administration be deprived of the
right of suffrage in less than two years, and
he would be very lucky if he escaped some
form of chattel slavery or peonage. And in
proof of this danger | might quote volumes
of wisdom and warning from the peeches of
Charles Sumner.
When, therefore, you point out to the col
ofed men that their rights will be safe in The
hands Of the Democratic party you delude
and mislead them l do not say wilfully, but
none the less really. The small handful of
Re publicans-compared with the whole mass
who unite with yourself and Mr.. Greeley
in going over to the Democratic party, cannot
leaven that lump of political unsoundness
even if you preserve your own original prin-
ciples in the contact. The administration of
MIR. Greeley therefore, should he be el cted
would be in the whole and in detail Demo
cratic Administration, and you would be com.
PEELED to go with the current or repent and
turn back when too late to mend the evil YOU
had done. Your argument that Horace Gree
ley does not become Democrat by receiving
Democratic notwithstanding it by the anal
ogy of your own election 20 the Scnate-is
hardly pertinent. The point is not what Mr..
Greeley will become personally, but what will
be the complexion Of the great Legislative
branch Of the Government with all its vast
and controlling power. You know very we'll,
Mr.. Sumner, that if Mr.. Greeley is elected
President, Congress is handed over to the con-
troll Of the party who have persistently de-
MED the rights of the black man. What
course you will pursue towards the colored
man is 0! small consequence after you have
transferred the power of Government to his
enemy.
The colored men OF this country are not
a class enlightened but they have wonderful
instincts, and when they read your letter they
" IA AhO" tli"t az eiSdt tiieis III tllClE Idle
you deserted them. Charles Sumner coop
Grating with Jefferson Davis is not the same
Charles Sumner they have hitherto idolized-
any more than Horace Greeley, cheered to the
echo in Tammany Hail. is the same Horace
Greeley whom the Republicans have hitherto
trusted The black men of this country will
never be ungrateful for what you have done
for them in the past-nor, In the bitterness of
their hearts. will they ever forget that heated
and blinded by personal hatred of one man,
you turned your back on the millions to
whom in past years you have stood as shield
and bul~ark of defence,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES G. BLAINE.