New-York tribune., 1876-02-14
FENTON md THE FLORIDL1NS.
GOV. FENTON DECLINES A sERENADf, THAMES IHE
COLORED PEOPLE WHO IENDEEED II, AND IA
IRrS S>FS SOME POLITICAL OPINIONS.
~. LLL.I.L. I. ~

GOV. FENTON DECLINES sERFNADE, THAMES lhh
CoLORfD PEOPLE WHO TENDEEED II, AND EX-
rRrSSFs soME POLITICAL OPINIONS. nh.
Froia The Aidchua Cd'len, Gl'nestiue fioridd' =,
The lion. l.. e.. DENNIs-.Hy Dedr SIR: lou
must allow decline the arrrnade proposed Tor TINS
evening bIt not in any degree because II l. ih9lh from
the coored people ON the contrary am prond to be ,
their friend aud feel honored that they seek TO
emphasize their good Will ana conDnrhce III M t
the compliment Of public denonStrailon Nor can 1
complain Of being called Republcan Enllstls M ", %it. m
the party when Its Iirst breath pronounced the worn vi
freedom yield to no one IN sincerity OF dcsol"h 10 N
republican principles have at d upon the conyicIlon
that repuLcanism is adhesion to prnclple anu iO'
To a man. aud | have felt none The less rcpuD-
Ican because while faithfully cher..mng principe
and uphoding every safeguard of the past nave Sought
10 carry them forward in reformed hbcralizc ana elc-
waited administration Bni am here on fl,lt 10 yoir
state account oi ply steal aililcuoh Which, a'oush
greatly relieved under the influence OF your gcnia
climate il still Incompatible with much ehort IN pltc
with my voice Besides. the fact tat hi 80, H. H
for other than political purposes ana frequently tAr re-
cbient of hospitality from those OF opo-lh& pocs' IN
oin,s me 10 AVOID partisan demoh9trdto,s WI -, =,
can | had. you know IN" h"hOr oi u can IlOin lnc
citizens your Interesting young city "hhoul 'listhc
tion Oi party. few night, ago ana IN iil Si,i ~ v" @ s
occasion hope to have offended the sense oi any one
could not we'll disguise my sympathy Tor tlr coor'd
people withhold my commentator ol tH,n piUTloS'
in the duties and respOnsihilt cs OF cltMth-
ship since their emancipation and cniranchlo'1,
fo The sign, everywhere and more manifest of the
acduscencc oi the white people Of the south IN me new
condition, which free Labor anu cdual lontcal ana CIV
rights impose I'm referring 10 the war period Wohld
b. gad todwe If the time allowed for ts leter W0.Id
permit. of the compenSatons when followed the
waste the de,olnon. and the blood OF battle And also
speak of the progress since of tIe hcieio II oih
rt ON the one hand. aud Of tho subject race on te
other i'm much that relates to the peac" and prosperity
-occty The lessons OF our pc:iet m ana growing
out late sad are ill of glncdnce. 40 on.
can review them a proper spirit without ieel.hs o
profound gratitude that We remain one people ahu t
W. now universally accept the great ud mclal lfut III
pa, ;lco q. well in theUry-that al men are ciehep
nee ana equal and endowed by their Creator Win Ger
tain marnable rights. among which are NE liberty
and the pursuit OF happiness. Realizing a. trust al
do that there is nothing true and valuable IA govern
mrnt that have in view the welfare ot the gov
irh II j, hoped thrt citizen In the South a. well
- n fhc Nortn will make steady effort 10 c1rIy forward
the great upon which our political iabrlc rr>tS
1 a communicate my hearty thtuhs u,
All yhp were tn unite In the intended rOnor Ia me, AMI
especially a. Tie friend of the coOred people and their
rcprs,niitiyr-not alone in thi; instancc-alow me,
tnroush voi To convey them the expression Of my
ie,t wishes for their improvement and Prosperity
Very truly yours, H. L. lENIOS
GGiBeSriHc, fid Feb. ., 1876