The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-13

minica, which is the Spanish part Of the
island, and shrinking at nothing, lie began
ny selzinR the war powers of the Govern
ment, i'll fragrant violstion OF the Constitu
ton, and then, AZ great expenditure Of
money, sent several armed ships OF the navy,
including monitors, to maintain the nsurptr
Beez in power, that through him he might
obtain the coveted prize. Not content with
this audacious dictatorship, he proceeded to
strike at the independence OF the black re-
public by open menace Of war, and affwith-
out the sanction OF Congress-, to which ia
committed the war making power. Sailing
into the hnrbor Of Port-au- Prince with our
most powerful monitor, the Dictator, proper
~ named for this service, also the frigate Sc
worm as consort and other monitors in their
train, the Admiral, acting under instructions
from Washington, proceeded to the executive
mansion, accompanied by officers OF his
squadron, and then, pointing to the great
war slips in sight from the windows, dealt
his menace Of war, threatening to sink or
capture Haytien ships. The President WAS
black, not white. The Admiral would have
done no such thing to any white ruler, nor
would our country have tolerated such me-
mace from any Goverrment in the world.
Here was indignity not only to the black re-
public, with its population OF 800, 900, but to
the African race everywhere, and especially
IN our own country. Nor did it end here.
For months the navy Of the United States
was lowering on tho coast, keeping that in
suited people in constant anxiety, while Pre-
sident Grant was to them like hawk sailing
in the air, and ready to swoop upon his prey.
This heartless cruel proceeding found vic
tim among our white fellow-citizens. An ex-
ccllcnt merchant Of Connecticut praises by
all who know him, was plunged into prison
by Baez, where he was immured because ii
was feared be would write against the treaty
OF annexion, and this captivity was prolonged
with the conniva ace OF two agents Of the Pre-
sident, one Of whom finds constant favor
with him, and is part of the military ring i'm
mediately about him. That such an outrage
could go unpunished shows the little regard
OF the President for human rights, whether
in white or black.
I confess my trials, as I was called to wit
ness these things Always 8 supporter of the
Administration, and sincerely desiring to
labor with it. had never uttered q word with
regard to 1t except in kindness. My early op-
position to the treaty OF annexation was re-
served, 80 that for some time my opinions
were unknown. 1t was only when I saw the
breach OF all law, human and divine, that
President and OF his rings. military and sena-
torial. Devoted to the African race, 1 felt for
them. besides being humbled that the great
republic, acting through it's President, could
Constitution, international Law and humanity
were all sacrificed. Especially was I moved
when saw the indignity to the colored race
which was accomplished by trampling upon a
fundamental principle of internationn' 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 "untccc.
dents" of President Grant, from which you
can judge how much the colored race can rely
upon his "heartfelt sympathies." Nor can it
be forgotten, that shortly afterward, on the
return of the commission from this island,
Hon. Frederick ouglass. the co!ored orator,
accomplished in manners g in elouuence, was
thrust away from the company III the COM
miesioners at the common table Of the mail
packet OH the Potomac, almost within sight of
tho Executive Mansion, simply OH account Of
his color; but the President, at whose invita-
tion he had Joined tho commission, never ut
tered word in condemnation OF this exclu-
sion, md when entertaining the returned
commissioners at dinner, carefully omitted
MIR. Douglass, who was in Washington at the
time, and thus repeated the indignity. 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 sll are
dent Grant, who could lobby so assiduousy
for his st. Domingo scheme. full OF wrong to
the colored race, could do nothing for this
beneficent measure. During a long session
the colored people everywhere hung upon the
debate. but there was no word of Heartfelt
sympathy from the President AT last Just be-
foro the nominating convention, he addressed
letter to meeting Of colored fellow citizens
in Washington. called to advance this cause,
where he avoided the question, by declaring
himself in favor Of "the 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 se-
cured by the pending bill. I understand that
Horace Greeley has already been assailed by
an impracticable Democrat q friendly to this
bill, but nobody has lisped against President
Grant on this account.
Among "antecedents,"I deem it my Guty
to mention the little capacity or indust uf
the President in protecting coored = opie
and i'll assuring peace at the South. Nobody
can doubt that a small portion OF the effort
and earnest will, even without tho lobbying
80 freely given to the San Domingo scheme
would have averted those Ku Klux outrages
which we deplore, go that there would have
been no pretence for further legislation by
Congress. But ho was disabled both by cha
racter aud tho drawback or his own conduct.
After violating the Constitution and interna-
tional law to insult the black republic, and
setting an example OF insubordination, he
was not i'll condition to rebuke law breakers.
II. Passing from "antecedents," 1 come
now to the 'present position" OF tho two can
didates. which is the sui ject of your next in
quiry. Ii in any former particulars the two
arc on an equality, yet in all substamtiai re-
spects the obvious advantage is Nith Horace
Greeley. Ea ch was nominated by II Rcpubli-
can convention, one at Cincinnati and the
other ut Philadelphia, 20 that in tlis respect
they may seem to bo on an equality. But it
will not fail to DO observed that the cnnven-
ton at Cincinnati waa composed of able and
n.sIr i ~ .l.I.