Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-14

FRED. DOUGLASS ON EDMONDS. 8
pinchback meeting in Washington last night,
at which resolutions we're adopted protesting
against the exclusion Of Pinchback from the
Senate, Fred. Douglass made speech 10
which be said: Do you ask what think of the
cou! sc pursued by those honorable Republican
Senators who voted against the admission of
Mr. Pinchback?
These Senators may not have sined coDsc-
ously they think that they have dooe by MIR.
P.nchback precisely as they would have done
by any white man who came to the door of the
Senate with the same credentials. [ say they
think so-yes, they think so. But am free
to say that do not tbiuk any such thing.
think that they have acted from first to last
under the Influence of mean aud malignant
prejudice of race. The very air Of the country
is pervaded by this prejudice and the marvel
is not so much that seven Senators we're unable
to rise above it as that twenty nine Senators
were able to set it at defiance and vote to seat
Mr.. Pinchback.
Slavery is dead. Blu its long, black shadow
in the form of prejudice stretches broadly
across our whole country, and will do so for
some time to come. The American people
back door, and are filed with doubts when
they see him at the from, door.
II those gentlemen bad been 10 an absolute
ly impartial state Of mind they would, in my
judgment, have voted, not with the Demo
cratic party, but with their own party to seat
Mr.. Pinchback. In proof OF their freedom
from prejudice they point US to Senator Bruce,
of Mississippi, aud the fact is plausible Sen
ator Bruce came to the door of the Senate
with au iudispu.able case. There was DO room
for individual inclination to sway one way or
the other.
There was no question as to his right. No
Democrat discovered any f.w 10 his creden-
tials. Had there been the slightest technical
imperfection, or room for single doubt, there
is reason to believe that the same fate would
have ovcrtakeD Senator Bruce which has over
taken MIR. Pinchback We all know that it is
hard for white mao to do justice to black
mau. | am sorry that those seven Senators
found this achievement impossible to them.
After all, my friends, | am not surprised
that seven men Of the Republican party were
found in the needed hour TO vote with the
D N ,cras. | have seen this thing before, snd
10 time of greater excitement than at present.
There are always few Independent spirits in
the Republican party who will go over TO the
Democrats when any gu stion affecting rights
of colored men are concerned.
1t was so 10 reconstruction times. 1t was so
upon Mr.. Summers civil rights bill. 1t was
so in the impeachment trial of Andrew John
sou, and it has been so now. Whether it will
to think upon and decide wisely. have al
ready heard that some coorcd men have decided
to initiate the example of the seven Senators
nd ynto ,th bo II n, ,,ro tio porfp
| am not among those who think the Amerl
can people are now going to put this Govern
ment back into the hands of the party Of re-
bellion aud slavery; nor do despair of the
ultimate peace and freedom of my race. But
one thing know, add that is, there is no mid.
die ground for u.s. We must either have ali
the rlsht- Of American citizens or We must be
tor We never can again be
slaves.
The BELKNAP CAsE.-There were no new
deveIopements 10 the Belkuap scandal yester-
day. Its understood that Mrs. BeIkoap is to
testify 10 the Kentucky railroad case, and that
owing to her i'll health aud the chan of circum-
stances that surround her, the committee will
axe her testimony at her home. Her testi |
Douy may not, however, be necessary.
Mr.. George H. PendletoD appeared before
he War Expenditure Committee yesterday TO
i've testimony in the K 'ptucky railroad case,
,ut his case was postponed unIi to. morrow,
waiting the arrival of the books Of the com
,any. The examination was postponed on
notion of Mr.. D4uford, who preferred that the
should be made with the books be-
ore the committee. A large package OF off,
ial records of the War Department bearing on
be case we're received, and were examined BY
he members of the committee.
Hou. Hester Clymer stated tu-day that, not.
'ithstaLd og the fight of the witness Marsh.
here Was enough testimony 10 thr possession
{ the committee to 20 on with the Belknap
npeachment. /!