The semi-weekly Republican. (St. Francisville, La.) 1872-1872, 1872-04-19
dawn of recognition Of the claims OF

| dawn OF recognition OF the claims OF
men without regard to color, by APP
pointing us to important official pos
itions at home and abroad, in the
assurances that he has given to de-
fend our rights, and that while we,
in orr grutefulness, aclnowled &c and
appreciate his efforts in behalf Of
equal rights, we are not unmindful
of his glory as soldier, and his ex-
allied virtues as q statesman.
4. Our thanks are due and are
hereby rendered to President Grant
for overriding the precedents Of
prejudice in the better recognition
of the services Of mon without re-
gard to color in some parts of tie
country, and we earnestly pray that
the colored Republicans Of States
where there are no federal positions
given to colored men may no longer
be ignored, but that they may be
stimulated by some recognition OF
federal patronage.
5. It would be an ingratitude,
loatllcl Ivy men and abhorred by
God, did we not acknowledge our
overwhelming Indebtedness to the
services Of the Hon. Charles Sumner
who stood for q long time alone in
the Senate of the United States the
Gibraltar of our cause and the north
star of our hopes who forfeited
caste in the estimation of q large
portion of his countrymen by his I'M
swerying devotion to equal rights !;
who has been malingea for his tidel-
ity to principles who has been
stricken down by an assassin for adj
vocating liberty throughout all the
land, and unto all the inhabitants
thereof and in whose giant body,
rising, as it were, almost out Of the
grave to marshal, the hosts of i'm
partial justice with bis mighty ideas,
going to the farthest part Of the land,
and finding a responsive echo in the
triumph of liberty over slavery, we
have an assurance Of this good, great
and beloved patriot that he will be
rs faithful to the Republican party
in thcr future as he has been I'M
f;,ltering in the past.
6. Having been by solemn legis-
lation Of the American Congress
raised to the dignity Of citizenship,
we appeal to law-abiding people OF
the States, and especially to those
who in the days OF the fugitive s]aN"
law cxhorted obedience to statutes,
however offensive, to protect and de-
fend us in the enjoyment Of our just
rights and privileges upon all con-
vcyances which are common carriers,
at all resorts Of public amusenents,
where tastes arc cultivated and man
hood is quiclcnca, and in all places;
Of public character or corporate as
soclations which owe their existence
to the legislation OF the nation Oh
States against tue spirit Of slavery,
which attempts to degrade our
standard Of intelligence and virtue
by force our refined ladies and gen
tlemcn into smoking cars, amid OBJ
scenity and vulgarity which humil-
i;s lat IS OH pride by denying us first
class accommodation on steamboats,,
and compelling us to cat and sleep
with servants, for which we are
charged the same as those who have
the best accommodations, and which
closes the door Of hotels against fam
ishing colored persons, however
wealthy, intelligent or respectable
they may be, while I'LL other public
places and conveyances welcome and
entertain all white persons, whatever
may be their character, who may
apply. Now, III view of this dis.
graceful inconsistency, this affecta'
ton OF prejudice, this rebellion
f against the laws of God, humanity
and the nation, we appeal to the
justice of the American people tc
protect us in our civil rights in pub.
lie places and upon public convey.
o,ooe x1,h;ol, oro rooI;11, oooor1o1