New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-09-18

was great applause. We consider him a true
man and n friend Of the Colored race. We
| believe him to be honest. He can have nc
motive or expectation Of preferment through
his course. He has been ostraCiscd and
treated with scom by his friends, and vet he
stood UP for what he considered his duty, and
on that account we appreciate him. He ha>
the gratitude ofevery colored man and woman
throughout the State.
q. What is thought of Mr.. Valentine :
course
\. As different from that of Republican.
We expected better things from him, being
he is Federal office-holder and supporter
of the Administration. But the members Of
the League attribute his action as cmenating
from prejudice against the coiored people.
He is a man who is governed by eXpediency.
Personally he Is a very fine man, and have
nothing TO say against him as a citizen, but
we think he made great mistake politically.
He may mean well enough, but he lacks back
bone.
Q. How do you like being jurors:
4. Very well. We consider it as an evil
dence of progress, and we thank both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans for il. But We look To
the Republican party to give us our full civil
rights. There was great deal of dissatis-
faction expressed among the members at the
State League on account of the Republican
party not recognizing cur leading members
and appointing them to office. We have the
ability ind the requisite intelligence to ill
any position which might be bestowed upon
us. Our men aAe too modest to ask the party
for Office, but we think that justice alone
ought to prompt the party to recognize the
services of the leading cOlored men of the
League.
Q. Is there any truth in the report that
-, l., lao I
Presidential ticket
A. don't think that either of them have
any aspirations in that way. | believe that
Sumner would rather occupy his seat in the
Senate and appeal for our rights and the
rights of his country, than to be President or
Vice President Of the United States. And,
as for Douglass, he has no ambition III that
direction. The time has not yet arrived for
a colored man to be q candidate for such high
office in the gift Of the people.
Q. Doyou know anything about the "BlacS
Mans Party?'
I A. There was a secret meeting of the State
League held in Washington a fe S weeks ago,
and the editor Of the Washington Republican
started the canard that we were about form
ing a black mans party. We don't desire a
black mans party. We want to have things
in common with the rest of the citizens. All
that we want is our civil rights, and there is
no necessity for a new party.
Q. How do the colored people regard the
Democracy?
A. The party is improving they have
made considerable progress lately. At their
convention in Ohio there was but a slight
difference in the platform from that adopted
by the Republicans. They don't desire to
revive dead issues. | suppose that in the
course of time they will adopt principles
entirely unobjectionablc to the colorod pco-
pie.
@. What do the colored people think of the
Eagle and the Times and Dispatch
A. Formerly there was n great deal OF
feeling against the Eagle. but now We have
no fault to find with it. In fact, it is read
| by great many Of the colored people, and
copies are often sent by us to leading col
ored men throughout the State. The League
has on file copies of the EaJiS containing the
entire proceedings Of the meetings held in
regard to the admission Of the colored children
into the ward schools. We were always sure
Of finding full and correct reports in the
Eagle. The Times is very good paper, and
is generally taken by the colored people in
this city. The League has also filed that
! paDpr.