The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-09-19
A POLITICAL LETTER FROM WILLIAM
LLOYD GARRISON,
lie Advocates tho Election of HAYES and
Wheeler


Wheeler
The following letter is in reply TO one re-
ceved from colored voter at Springfield,
Illinois, who acted as corporal in company
L, fifty-ffth Massachusetts volunteers, dur
ing the rebellion
BosToN, Sept. 8, 1876.
DEAR SIR IL have received a letter pur-
porting to come from you, stating that you
arc "a colored voter who fought for his
country 10 the gallant old fifty-htth Massa-
chusetts regiment" during tho late south.
ern rebellion, and also (to my surprise)
that you have concluded to vote for Sam
uel j. Tildcn," the democratic candidate
for the next presidency, "feeling that the
condition of the country demands it :" yet,
not wishing TO make mistake, you appeal
to me "a the friend of your people, and
ask ''Do you believe that the colored
man can vote for and help elect the reform
C) ticket, and be safe? Is Samuel J. Til
den trustworthy"
thank you for thus honoring me with
your confidence, and be assured that,
making the case of the entire colored popu-
lation of the country my own-as | have
always hitherto done-I Will answer your
| questions in accordance with my profound
| tel CDuNiCllbHo, anu dS UNI OCtuplluE IL
| thoroughly independent position in the
matter of politics.
Let Inc promise, that l began the agila-
| ton of slavery as early as the year 1898
| probably before you were born--and con-
| iinued it until the last b0ndman was set
free; since which event | have watched
with the greatest solicitude every move
ment likely TO affect the safety, welfare
and elevation Of the millions thus signally
emancipated from the most cruel and
degrading bondage That the earth has
ever witnessed. And ] confess that
nothing has occurred to fill me with such
| grave apprehensions for the security of
those millions Ia the exercise of their civil
and political rights, and for the peace of
the country, rs the approaching prcsden-
tial election. | Samuel j. filien should
he elected il will be the restoration of the
democratic party to power and place as be-
fore the rcbelli0n-a party overwhelmingly
composed of those who are deadly hostile
to your race in all that pertains to equal
and exact justice "a party that, during the
rebellion. denounced every needful meas-
ure Of Mr.. Lincolns administration iof
its suppression, ard in its spirit and
attitude was a constant menace in further.
ance of the reasonable designs of the
South-a party that, since the rebellion,
has opposed every constitutional amend.
ment aud every legislative act designed to
destroy the last vestge of chattel slavery
and establish universal freedom, ire pect
i've of complcxional distinctions party
that now embodies and is controlled by all
at The south who glory in the periidious at
tempt at secession, and only lament thai
they did not succeed, and whose villanous
determination il is, by the feroest threats
the vles. ruiiianism and the most revolving
slaughter-ha ng already slain their thou
sands-vigtaaliy to dsfranchise the whole
body q, co,nred voters. and reduce
them t. q si'ie T abject vassalagc
Such is ne .cfn,cratio party to-day
Sooner ;nan cost Jour vote for it; presi
dental candidate-tor the man is worthy
of the party ar3 tue party worthy Of thi
, man, aud they are zone and inscparable'-
cut off your right hand, or pluck out you
right eye! 1t was the republican party
that put down the rebellion, that carried
the constitutional amendments. and thai
means TO enforce them to the extent of it
possibilities Vote for Hayes and Wheeler
Your friend and advocate.
VIM. LLOYD GARRISON.
Cyrus Danagan.