Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-09-20
A Political Letter From William
Lloyd Garrison.
he ADVOCATES THE ELECTION OF HAYES AND
WHEELER.

The following letter is in reply to one received
from colored voter at Springfield, Illinois, who
acted as Corporal in Co. F. 5jth Massachusetts,
Volunteers, during the Rebellion
Boston, September o. $40.
DEAR SIR: | have received letter pufporung
10 come from you, stating that you are "colored
voter who fought for his county in the gallant
old Massachusetts Regiment" during the late
Southern rebellion, and also ito my surprised that
you have concluded to vote for Samuel j. Ill
dem" the democratic candidate for the next Pies
idency, fleeing that the condition Of the country
demands it;" yet, not wishing 10 make a mistake,
YOU appeal TO me the friend Of youI people, and
ask DO you believe that the colored man can
vote for and help elect the reform " ticket, and
be safe Is Samuel j. TIlden Trustworthy z
thank you for thus honoring me with your
confidence, and be assured that, making the case
OF the entire colored population OF the coutry my
owD,--as have always hitherto done.-l VIII an
swer your questions IN accordance with my pro-
fouDdest convictions, and one occupying
thoroughly independent position IN the matter oil
politics.
Let me premise, that began the agitation Of
slavery early as the year 1925 probably before
you were born-and continued It until the last
bondman was set flee; since which event have
watched with the greatest solcitude every move
ment likely to affect the safety, welfare and eeVa-
tion OF the millions thus signally emancpated
from the most cruel and degrading BONDAGE that
the eafth has ever Witnessed. Anu tua1
nothing has occurred TO ill me with such grave
apprehcnsons for the security of those millions
in the exercise of their civil and political nights,
and for the peace Of the country, AS the approach
lug Presidential election. If Samuel j. Hidden
should be elected, it will be the restoration
of the democratic party to power and place
as before the rebelion-a party over
whelmngly composed of those who are deadly
hostile to your in all that pertains to equal
and exact justice-a party that, during the re-
bellion, denounced every needful measure OF Mr.
Lincons administration for its suppression, and
in its spirit and attitude was a constant menace In
furtherance of the reasonable designs OF the
South-a party that, since the rebellion, has OPP
posed every constitutional amendment and every
legislative act designed to destroy the last vesuge
of chattel slavery and establish universal FREEDOM
irrespective of complexional distnctions-a party
that now embodies and is controlled by all AT the
South who glory in the perfdious attempts at Sc
cession, and only lament that they did not succeed
and whose villanous determination 1t Is, by the
fercest threats, the vilest rufauism and the most
revolving slaughter-having already slain their
thousands-virtuslly to disiranchise the whoie
body of colored voters, and reduce them to state
of abiect vassalage. Such is the democratic party
to-day. Sooner than cast your vote for its Presl
dental candidate-for the man is worthy of the
party aud the party worthy of the man. and they
are zone and nseparable off your hand, or
pluck out your right eye! It was the republican
party that put down the rebellion, that carried the
constitutional amendments, and that mean, to en-
force them to the extent of its possibilities. ole
for Hayes and Wheeler.
Your friend and advocate,
WIN. LLOYD GARRISON.
Cyrus Danagan.