The weekly Louisianian., 1872-08-24
C0lORED ClllclNNATlAN3
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CHARLES SUMMERS LETTER.

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CHARLES SUMNERS LETTER.
A large gathering of colored men
was held at Greenwood Hall on
Aug. 18th under the auspices of the
West End Grant Club, Mr.. John C.
Corbin President.
A *large portion of the audience
were ladies'"
Resolutions acknowledging the
services of Charles Sumner, but de-
clining to accept his recent advice
were introduced by Peter H. Clark,
and passed, after which Major Tra-
Wis, Isaiah Mitchell, Chas. w.. Bell,
Rev. Wallace Shelton, and others
delivered addresses.
Mr.. CLARK then took the floor and
said:
SPEECH OF PETER II. CLARK.
I come to this platform with the counsel
ringing in my ears from every side, to deal
gently With Mr.. Sumner; you must not
denounce Mr.. Sumner. 1 did not need
the advice. It is not my custom to de-
nounce men, however wide the difference
between them and me, Ny political or
religious opposite is not necessarily a
scoundrel I can agree to Disagree. Not
needing the advice, I confess I am sur
prised at it. Men who ore willing that
should exhaust the vocabulary of invec-
tives in speaking of such men as Blair
and Schurz, and Upton, and even Trum-
bull, the author of the Civil Rights Bill,
but of Charles Sumner I must speak with
bowed head and hushed voice.
It strikes me the advice is Inconsistent.
If I mny denounce tho wolf which ravnges
the flock, what shall I say of the shepherd
who takes advantage of tho confidence in
spired 5y past Kindness to lead that flock
into the clutches of the wolff
No man will moro freely accord to Mr..
Sumner the prai~e and gratitude no has
earned, and which he deserves at the hand
of the colored man. do not and can not
forget TINT at time when the pro-slavery
party was paying the highest prieo for
talent and culture, welded in behalf of the
great wroGg Of slavery, when the anti-sla-
very party had nothing but social and po.
litical prescriptions, indignities and shame
to offer its adhercnts, Mr.. Sumner cast his
lot with the friends Of tho oppressed negro.
I can not nor do I desire to forget the
grand work he has done in the anti-slavery.
cause, but I would be unworthy the liberty
with which he sought to endow me if I do
not dare to refuse to follow him when I
think him wrong. As leader of tho anti
slavery crusade, IN upholder Of the Union.
an advocate of the Amendments, which
are the capstones Of our Republican edi6ce,
I admire and applaud him; as the disap-
pointed and embittered politician, whose
wrathfnl gall has obscured his vision, and
who seeks to put the new wine Of liberty
into the old bottles of pro-slavery Demo-
craoy, / refuse to either admire, applaud
Or follow him.
Ny early education among the Metho-
iists taught me that II is difficult matter to
strike sin without hurting tho devil, and if
Mr.. Sumner has permitted himself to be-
come 90 entangled with the plots of those
who seek to check the rising tide ofiberty,
Who hope that once checked it may begin
o ebb, and the ''causs" lost ON the battle
ield be ''regained in the Cabinet" that a
blow struck them reaches him ia . pity, |
'ut it can't not be helped.
So far no replies which the colored poo-
lie have made to Mr.. Sumner have been
by tho utmost good humor.
Nobody has denounced him, but by this
ime the conceit which he entertained con-
erning his power to lead us in any direc-
ion he chose must he pretty we'll dissipa-
sd..' Three things astonish me in. tho
iscussion that has arisen since he has
rom personal pique, deserted the party
9 helped to form, and to which he has
con All inspiration.
Ono ofthese is, that Charles Sumner
ould SO far forget himself as to join hands
18th men who in every way, fair and
nfsir, have strivcn to thwart the compile
on of what he is pleased to call his life
ork. Since it is proven that personal
'elings govern him in his action, where
IN more powerful personal motive be
'und than that which Is presented by the
'ct that the men who apphuded Preston
Brooks for his dastardly outrage upon
[r. Sumner, are to-day, after defeated
sreer of treason and rebellion, striving to
gain their lost position in The counsilsof ,
le Nation, by pretended acceptance Of
10 results Of the var. Ha has contended =
ng enough With those men to know, TINT I
ley do not in good aith accept the situa- /
On. In other times this sudden conversion
the party Of slavery o. seceaaion and re- Il