New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-13
Consistency, rhou Art a Jewel.
TRENTON, y. j., March 3, Isl

TRENTON, n. j., March 3, 1873
To The Editors cfthe Ne,c National Era:
Although much has been said in reference
to the refusal Of one Of the hotels in this city
to entertain Frederick Douglass, yet the sub
ject is by no means thoroughly ventilated,
as it occasions a fruitful source Of thought
and meditation, the discussion of which may
tend to create healthier state of public sem
timent than now exists on this subject; for,
wherever there is corruption existing in gov
eminent, or what is commonly called the body
polite, it must be probed to the core, else a
cure cannot be effected. Allow me a thought
or two in furtherance Of what has been said,
the object Of which is to subserve the interest
Of the party whose outgrowth has brought
into its works very many discordant clements,
which, if not uprooted, will subyert and
destroy the fundamental principles of repub-
lican institutions, and shake from centre to
circumference the basis upon which this
mighty Republic is founded.
The Republican party has now the control
and administration of the General Govern
ment: it came into power advocating the
great principles ofliberty and equality. Equal
and exact Justice to all men were the words
Of the lamented Abraham Lincoln. This
was the rallying cry; this was emblazoned
on their banners with this motto the party
went forth to battle. The battle was nobly
fought and nobly won. Now, after achev-
in, N ,,lo 10 10 ~
of the party upon whom a patriotic and free
people have imposed this high trust to pre-
serve its great principles intact:
The question naturally arises, how is this
to be done? The answer is, stick to your
principles don't swerve from the path; con-
tinue TO fight it out on this line rid the party
of those malcontent leaders and officials
who fail or refuse to recognize these great
principles. AS partial Illustration Of what
mean, Frederick Douglass, who has world
wide reputatIOn-One of the representative
leaders of the cOlored race in America, con-
trolling, perhaps, more votes than any one
man in America-was refused entertainment
by staunch Republican in the city Of Tren-
ton, who proudly boasts that his house is
Republican headquarters. 1t is at his house
the city convention usually convenes; tits
at his house the great majority of the men,
bers of the Legislature stop during the ses-
sion; It's at his house Republicans of the
State generally stop. But what renders most
ridculously absurd is that this landlord had
the daring hardihood and effrontery to re-
quest Republican members elected by virtue
Of colored votes to vote to elect his son to
the third highest Office in the gift Of the State
| mean State Treasurer. 1t seems to me
that it should have been both his pride and
pleasure to have entertained such a man in
stead of turning cold shoulder or advising
his stay in some private family. What must
be the feelings Of Mr.. Douglass? What must
be the feelings of every intelligent colored
man of the State? What must be the feel
ings of the party of which Mr.. Douglass is
an able and worthy exponent of their prin-
ciples? Is the man utterly oblivious to every
high and elevated feeling; utterly imperv-
Gus to every noble principle; or has avarice
such hold upon him that he is utterly indif-
ferent to the rights and privileges of colored
men as American citizens? If so, he ought
to cease to call himself Republican and
it is the duty of the party to require him to
carry out its principles-make the amende
honorable for the insult rendered. If he re-
fuses to do this, serve him as he did Fred.
Douglass. The party should turn its back
upon him; for, if you touch his pocket, you
touch his soul. What the party needs to dc
is to sustain no man in office, or public bust
ness, (whose business is regulated by law
that has not manly independence enough to
do right. The party should see to it that nc
, one occupying a prominent position in the
ranks of the party should cringe, crouch. oil
cater to popular prejudice when it invades OF
i.fringes on the rights Of American citizens
They should either conform to the principles
Of the party or else be voted out. 1t is high
time We were as jealous Of the rights Of cit
zens on our own soil as upon foreign soil
r Let the party speak out plainly, distinctly
and emphatically that the rights Of citizens
are not dependent upon race, color, or pre-
vious condition of servitude {; but wherever
the jurisdiction Of this great Commonwealth
extends, men who are governed by the same
laws should be entitled to the same rights
and privileges.
Yours for the right,
WIN. f. WALLER.