New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-20
"PacIacasiou Of the Races"


George T. Downing, ESQ, has prepared an
address entitled "Pacifcatiou OF the kaces,
which he intends to deliver the coming two
months in such pisces south OF Washington
as he may be invited 10 visit. 1t u conceived
in most friendly spirit: Is designed and cai-
culated TO Obtain the ear and heart OF those
heretofore opposed to the freeing and entrsn-
chising Of the colored man, and who have
mistakenly supposed the people oi tue Nofth
cherished unkind feelings toward the south.
II urges that by-goues be by-sones; that the
interest of all classes in the South are identt-
cal that they should harmonic and unite In
pride Of State and localities for local inter.
estE- We hare hopes ss to the results OF
Mr.. Downing's happy conception .-Chren'e9e.
We republish tie above item il order to
express our hearty and unqualified approval
Of the mission about to be undertaken by Mr..
Downing. 1t is one that, in our opinion, Is
likely to result in irnmeasurable benefit to al
parties concerned. In the present unhappy
and discordant state of affairs that prevails
too generally in the South, it viii intervene
with An influence like that Of oil upon tFou-
bled waters. Unfortunately for tina. section
Of our common country, and in spite oil the
great political changes Of the last ten years,
the ideas generated and cherished in the days
of seryitude still survive. The whites, mind
full Of their uncontrolled supremacy in the
past, still look down upon their black fellow
citizens as their interiors, and as persons who
have been invited to participation in ban
| quet of rights and privileges, although not
| laI in r. S15Ita n.
Hence, they hold themselves sallenly aloot
| from ali party affiliations with the recently
enfranchised element in their midst, and even
make it, or tactly allow it to be made, the
object of ku-Klux violence and indignity.
| On the other hand, the minds Of the colored
people, ranking under these manifestations
Of hostility, which they have very good rea-
son to regard as only continuation of former
wrongs, cannot be brought to look upon
themselves as possible co-workers with the
whites for the advancement Of common inter-
ests. Now, it is clear that, in such state
of affairs, a successful effort to obliterate all
class preiudices and animosities, and, it may
possibly be, to revive kindly feelings which
once had full play between the parties con-
cerned, in spite Of the recognized relation Of
master and slave, cannot be other than
a positive good for all concerned, and fol
the entire country. Especially are we
satisfied that the Republican party will
find its profit in the successful accomplish.
ment Of this proposed mission. 1t will have
a tendency to cause the blacks to renew
their fealty to that agency through which
they were enancipated and enfranchised, and
to await with less senstiveness the fulfill
ment of srndry pledges made By that party
for the further amelioration of their condi
ton, whileit will, perhaps, induce the whites
to give in their adhesion to the same party
in greater numbers. from conviction thai
the new views which they may have, can only
be realized by cooperation Herewith.
We are peculiarly we'll satisfied that this
movement from which we hope so much o
good to result, is to be undertaken by ON
friend, ATr. Downing. In carrying it out, hi
is, perhaps, to be regarded, after full con
sideration Of all things, as precisely the RICH
man Ii, the right work. His long-continuet
maintenance Of the rights Of his race cause
him to be recognized by colored people gen
erally as one Of their ablest advocates, while
his business engagements for years past have
boon Of such a nature as to bring him int
contact with prominent gentlemen from thu
South in common with other parts Of thu
country, upon whom his manly bearing an'
gentlen,anly address have not failed to make
a favorable impression. Feeling thus, boil
with reference to the mission and the NAL
engaged IN it, we earnestly bespeak for Mr.
Downing calm and candid hearing from g!
classes in the South, both white and colored