The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-10-01
The Disseminated Colored Man.

PETER II. CLARK (colorcd), Of Cincinnati,
who was the chief light of the late African
indignation meeting at Dayton, Ohio, has
been again pouring out his discomfort at the
neglect of the negro by the Republicans, who
have in all their platforms made so many
pledges and fair promises to him. Z. II. &.
repaired to his home in Cincinnati after the
Dayton convention and endeavored to engi-
necr On indignation meeting there, respond
ing to that of Dayton. But Colonel HAIR
Ian (white), the Federal ofice-holder, got
the better of him, and carried his eulogistic
resolutions Of General GRANTS "brilliant
administration" over PETERS head. Since
then PETER has in vain endeavored to get o
hearing from the Cincinnati blacks whose
rights he undertakes so intrepidly to defend.
So be goes back to Dayton, his fighting
ground, and on the. 23d Instant gave his Re-
publican white friends ga little more
grape"
PETER described his own disappointments
very graphically. This is so good, and is so
applicable to the cases Of most ottice-seekers,
that we copyit:
''Last winter, prompted by my friends
who bad seen my eNertions in the campaign
of last fall, during which made more than
sixty speeches in the States of Ohio. In
diana, and kentucky, went to Washing
ton, us so many thousands before me have
done, and asked for an Office. The reception
given me in official circles was most cordial.
The President was kind enough to say that
he thought my services worthy Of reward,
and ordered that my papers should be filed
in his Office In order that he might himself
see to it that my official recognition should
be made sure. Could anything be more fat
tering! ] bowed myself out Of the White
House and out of Washington, and came
home seated on cloud Of roseate hue. ! am
sure no mere vulgar railroad could have
given such an easy, unjolting ride.
"Once at home, began sharp lookout
for the ofticialsenvelope that should convey
my commission, and begun to drsss well and
hold my head high, as becomes one who has
the dignity Of this great nation officially in
his keeping.
days heightened into weeks, weeks into
months, and no envelope came. The roseate
nimbus faded, the air-castle founded upon it
tumbled to the earth, and as the spring adj
tdHScQ. anu LUG liOSL cdllic OuL vi luc RlOuuu,
the hope and the desire for Office came out
of me, and when the summer came it was
gone entirely. School matters were drifting
into such shape that felt assured that if |
served my employers as faithfully as felt
DESTROYS and capable Of doing, would have
secured berth tor Il year or two, and
knew OF but few positions which the. Gov
ernment would give TO colorcd men COM
parable in dignity or profit to the one l
hold. .s..ssgs
"Resting in this mood l was surprised
early in August 10y the reception of note
from my friend Langstop, stating that po-
sition would be rendered me in the pension
bureau Of the Interior Department, and
presto the officiul envelope came, containing
the commission and orders to repair at once
to Washington for instructions. The office,
l take it, was an easy one to ill, the pay five
hundred dollars more on the year than my
present salary. But by this time had so
far lost my ambition to be an otfice-holder
that after returning due thanks for the kind
ly spirit which prompted the offer declined
to accept 1t.
So our Republican friends find some of
their African allies little dainty. These
allies seem to understand as well what bad
faith is as they do what promises are.