New-York tribune., 1872-08-02
MR. SUNNFPS ADVICE.

| The old friends and admirers OF Mr. sumner,
| even those who have felt constrained to separ-
ate from him on the present political issues,
will read his letter of advice to the colored
| people with renewed respect for the dignity
| and elevation of sentiment and the consistent
devotion to high principle which have made
| the name of Charles Sumner one of the most
illustrious in the political history of our day.
| Mr.. Sumner views the situation not as parti-
san but as q man of strong and deliber-
ate convictions, which date from a period
long before the foundation of the
Republican party and will last long
after that party has fulfilled its mission
and been merged in some new organization.
Mr.. Sumner has always been the apostle OF
peace and human equality. He was the fore
most enemy of human slavery when "aboli-
"tionistr was a term of reprOach from one
end of the country to the other. He has been
the best and wisest friend of the freedmen in
the tying years since emancipation. He has
been loved and trusted by the colored race
above all other men in America. With this
he has stood forth like Mr.. Greeley for gen.
erous policy to all men, white as well as black.
Nothing in hate, nothing in malice" was the
motto of one of his early speeches, and he has
held TO that all through his life, which, as he
says in this recent letter, "places peace above
"aIl things except the rights of man." In the
alliance of Cincinnati and Baltimore there
fore Mr.. Sumner beholds the adoption by North
and South of the principles which have regu-
lated his whole career. 1t is revolution, he
saws. which has not proceeded from politicians,
but has sprung from popular longing on
both sides for harmony and reconciliation.
II is peace-offering which no lover of his
country and his fellow man should hesitate to
accent. "That Democrats, and especially those
"of the South, should adopt lifetime
"aboltionist for President, is an assur-
ance of willingness to respect the rights
"of their colored fellow-citizens with that re-
"conciliation of which Horace Greeley was
can early representative. In standing by JEFF
ferson Davis at his trial and signing his
"bail- bond, he showed the same sentiment OF
humanity he so constantly displayed in stand
" ing by the colOred race throughout their pro-
"longed trial, so that the two discordant races
" find kindred hospitality in him, and he thus
" becomes tie of union.n Mr.. Sumner would
have been false to the teachings of his whole
life if he had not preferred the party of recon-
ciliation and equal rights to the party of
sectional animosity and prescription.
His analysis of the character of the two
candidates Is as keen as his discrimination be-
tween the two parties. In Mr.. Greeley he
recognizes an old Reformer and AbOlitionist,
who has been from boyhood an earnest opponent
of Slavery, friend Of the colored people, an
| advocate of impartial suffrage of peace, and
of equal rights "To suppose that Horace
"a 4, ,bar Htpha ha N mn
good, will depart from the rule of his honest
life, is an insult to reason" President Grant,
on the contrary. has never shown hostility
to Slavery or friendship for the enslaved
| To promote his SantO Domingo scheme he
| committed q gross outrage upon the black
republic Of Hayti, and without authority of
| law sent an armed squadron into the harbOr
| of Port Prince to threaten the capture or
destruction of the Haytian ships lie excluded
| Frederick Douglass from the civilities which
| he extended to all the other Santo Domingo
| Commissioners because he was colored man.
He had no word of sympathy for the Civil
| Rights bill, and when he was obliged to ad-
| dress letter to meeting called in Washing
| ton to advocate that measure he was careful
not to commit himself lie never was even
Republican till the Republicans made him
President.
Mr.. Sumner, therefore, advises the colored
people to give their support to the Liberal
Republican movement. 1t has the better can
didates, the better principles, the better plat
form, and the better friends. And he reminds
colored men, in conclusion, that their interests
are inseparably bound up with those Of the
community at large. They are a part of our
country. Where all are prosperous they will
be the gamers. They are not to stand aside,
and fancy they have no copcern in the com
mon welfare and that the corruptions Of bad
government do not touch them. 1T is for you
TO consider he adds. whether tho time has