New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-18

= ASHINtION, H. -, aPii L., iof-'
TO the Editor Of the Ner National Era;
Caste as is used in the Latin language
(castus) means pure, ehaste. Horace uses 1t
in the sense Of pious Virgil in the sense oil
honest; yet to-day, amidst our modern civil
ization, it is used to designate separate and
fixed class of society, as is found in heather
India. Among the loathsome it is the most
loathsome of morals, and is characteristic OF
a soulless and degraded class of people, how
ever extensive their commerce, established
their arts, or profound their science. In a
Republic it is an anomaly, and if traced out
is sure to be found mongrel. The negro
population Of this country, least of all others,
can afford to have this monster stalking in
the midst Of them-their long oppression
having been a creature of this doctrine. But
aside from all this, caste is of the devil, and
is foreign to the will of Him who is no
respecter of persons.
1t is with deep regret, Mr.. Editor, that
through your valuable columns shall call pub
lie attention to the fact that, emigrated from
some State, caste is among us in the capitol.
within whose walls our friends have received
scorn and ridcule in endeavoring to prove the
unconstitutionality and nom Republican prin-
ciple OF caste in any manner or form. And
by whom is this corruption transported? by
an unmistakable negro, who, on entering
church in this city largely attended by white
persons, but where no distinction is made on
account Of color, said, on seeing his pew oc-
cupied by person few shades darker than
himself, I" do not desire to have a black belt
around me :" and on another occasion, beck
oned another such unfortunate out of his pew,
to the utter disgust of the minister who re-
ferred to the discourtesy in his sermon, and
asked for kindness to strangers, or on special
notice given him, he would place printed
card in the seat. Horrors What a drama
having a negro as its patron.
feel it my bounden duty to warn the peo-
pie against any such demagogue who would
ride into the Senate under such false colors
have taken especial care to know the truth
of these statements. l would warn South
Carolina against any such Senator as their
find among Representatives of the white class
men, the underlying principles of whom are
just the contrary to the interests of their con-
stituents. But they are already in the Sem
ate, and like Gov. Alcorn, they betray the
trust reposed in them defiantly, and instead
of progress among their constituents there is
stagnation.
tits, then, Ofthe gravest importance that our
colored Representatives be pure. Ineed not,
nor would not, hide tit is to South Carolina
1 speak. Set aside your brownists, and octa-
rooms, and blacks, and mulattoes, and whites,
in sending your next Representative to Con-
gress. If there is any place in the United
States Government in which purity ought to
be unadulterated it should be in Congress as
sembled. Already, in the person of Repre-
sentative Elliott, you have sent us one of
whom we are greatly proud. Who can point
the finger and say Of him Ignorant, unprin-
cipled, or coward ?' l did wish that he had
been in the Senate during the discussion of
the Civil Rights Bill. In this l make no
reference to the man, but to his answering
principles-Rome, not Cesar. Not one who
deserts you when most you need help. Not
one who flies to ease, luxury, and opulence in
times of trial, and then return asking honor,
is fit representative. Such man is
demagogue, and is not fit to represent any
class of people-black or white. More anon
in the interests of the people.
Excuse what may seem dictation to such an
intelligent class of colored people as South
Carolinians, but the human eye rs said to be
capable of seeing beyond miles and hear
ing-doubtless not as far as South Carolina
is from Washington. ID. A. S.