National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-16
MEMS ULSTER GOATS.
A S
THE CIVIL RIGHTS BJLL


To the Editor Of the National Republican:
SIR: The letter Of Geo. T. Downing, a man in
defatgable in his labor for the highest interests
Of his race, is praiseWOrthy, patriotic and manly
not only because it speaks Of the wrongs imposed
upon the negro race as men and citizens and de-
mands Just protection against the invaders of our
rights, but also because at this time when even
chains do not fetter our bodies nor the lash lace
rate our skins, and the law knows no distinction
81 citizens, yet men are engaged in speculation
day and night concerning selEinterest, to
detriment OF the highest interests Of the
race, and dare not speak ere Off me entire
before heir eyes as nd I mo iGG roo PSSS IS
for this - q shadow. 1 see no reason
81 r,uerile apprehension and these base
--.rHles on the part Of our leaders (?) who have
been truly warehouses in the dark and direful
battles for freedom. I know we are not faithful
to ourselves AID that few Of us feel as Cicero did
Of Archeas the poet, viz THAT men Of letters as
well as generals are worthy Of praise" Yet l
would beseech these strong men in fame to be
brave at heart in defending their rights. 1t is
have derived from the Republican party our
advocate and protector. Republican principles
are the ark Of our safety and not men. 1t is use
less to turn our backs against the elevation we
have attained under the executive administrA-
tion Of President Grant. he holds the scales Of
justice, in measure, in his hands, and who can
deny that it needs the most accurate Judgment
and foresight TO main:a a balance!
Is there any wonder that men in this condition
hesitate? We have obtained only our ri hts under
the present administration who has not Obstructed
the doors through which we are TO pass in obtain
ing them. II he halts at this great crisis let
Us show a manly front and he will halt no more.
Hesitation i'm plies doubt. Our indifference dis
cord and petty personal JealOusles create it.
Twenty years ago conventions Of cOlored men
were more etectual than to-day, and the tide Of
progress was steadier. No race has ever attained
Its rights land every race in the minority without
regard to color, has had to struggle for them,)
without showing an unbrOken front, a steady
hard. Our duty, as is badly and enormously
supposed, is not 10 weaken the Republican party
but TO strengthen ii by pruning it Of rotten limbs.
The last election has not done this. The next
one must, and by our hands. Good Repu blicans
are not scarce or ObtrusiYe; we must look for
them. The substituted bill Of civil rights by Mr..
White, Of Ala, is an insult to q loyal class of
American citizens, and every honest Republican
knows this. 1t is a straw, ruse. Think of it.
Minister Barrett and wife, (cOlOred,) neatly at
tired, shall not be prohibited entering the Ar
HngtOn hotel, and shall have the same quality
and number of knives and forks, same sized table
and pattern Of table-clOth, but may be placed in
q dark corner to be the object of curious gaze and
Tidicule by others. So says Whites civil rights
bill. We ask not for privileges but equality of
rights. Gentlemen Of the Republican party
please understand this. We do not desire TO
hamper the Republican party; nor will we brook
insult. Modify and modify your civil rights
bill as much as you please, but make what re-
mains Of il defensible law, q credit TO the head
and heart and principles Of the Republican
party. VINDEx.