The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-04-09

09ut Gk00t.e s s.
! MY = DEAR slR:-In Flew Of the results
ter canvassing the situation, and giving
that am no politician. Though having been
honored by seat in the United States Senate,
do ask it now, but am engaged in my calling
"a minister-and, feeling an earnest desire for
race or to SUBJ
init to you for consideration few thoughts in
regard TO the political situation in this State.
Since recon struction, the mass OF my people
have been. as it were, enslaved in mind by un-
principled adventurers,. who, caring nothing
thing, matter how Infamous, to secure
power to themselves and perpetuate it. Ny
grow older in freedom, SO do they grow in wis
dom. A great portion of them have learned
as in the late elections, not being able to cor,
rect the existing evil among themselves. they
determined by casting their ballots against
them.
My people have been told by these schemers,
were notoriously corrupt and dishonest, that
they must vote Tor them that the salvation of
scratched the ticket was not a RepubIican.
This is only one OF the many means these ma
lignant demagogues have devised to perpetu-
ate the intellectual bondage of my people. To
defeat this policy at the late election men ir-
respective of race or party affiliations united
and voted together against men known to be
incompetent and dishonest.
The bitterness and hate created blythe late
eiuti STRIFE nave, In my opinion, been obliter-
haps,. in some localities, and would
have been long since entirely effaced were it
not for some unprincipied men who would
keep alive the bitterness of the past, and in.
culcate hatred between the races in order that
the emolurnents to control my people, the
effect of which is to degrade them. l give you
adhered to Republican principles, ana stood
by the platform upon which was elected, he
State would have been on the high road to
prosperity. If the State administration had
advanced only to patriotic measures, ap-
pointed only honest men to Office, and sought
to restore confidence between the races, b ood-
shed would have been unknown. Peace
would have prevailed, Federal interference
would have been thought of and harmony,
friendship, and mutual confi1ence would have
taken the place of the bayonet.
In conclusion, let me say to you, and to the
Republican party of the tiorth, that l deem
| it my duty, in behalf of my people, that I
present these facts in order that they and the
suffer Misrepresentation, which certain dema-
gogues seem DESTROYS to encourage.
Respectfully n Rrvr1s
A stronger document can not be produced
sn favor of colored suffrage. 1t is plain
statement of the cruel bondage that had been
! maintained by corrupt rings" over both
races, and of the means used to ''lnculcate"
hatred between them. Having a majority
| in the State, the colored people were able to
petuate their own political power. But in
| diligently and periodically they united
| with the whites to overthrow the power OF
the "unprincipled adventures" to drive
them from the State. and to restore good
| government The help came like food and
water TO starving and famished people.
And for it honorable and grateful return
! was made, at the next session of the Legis
| lature, in the enactment of laws providing
/ extraordinary security far the rights of labor
| in Mississippi
! Why confuse and cheaper a discussion
like the present by thrusting into it ques-
! tions of personal consistency? Why turn
aside to consider one another's motives.
Who of the readers of the Review" cares
| for either? But Mr.. Blame thinks it useful
to his argument TO suggest that in my eyes
| the complexion OF the colored man depends
upon his voting the Democratic ticket. De
votion TO truth compsle me to say that my
confidence in his Judgment as an independ
ent voter is strengthened by the circum
stance that l do not find him voting thai
ticket. Really, could not respect him very
much if Mr.. Blaine's opinion of him were
correct, that he is a political
fixture, immoveble under infu
ences that control other and
patriotic minds. Prior to the adoption Of
the Fifteenth amendment but as late a:
| September, 1865, Governor Morton, in &
carefully prepared speech, used the follow
ing language. LOOK at their condition. A,
1 said before, only one in 500 that can read
many OF them. until within the last few
months never off the plantation-most o
them never out OF the county in which they
live and were born, except as they were
driven by the siave-drivers. Can you con
| ceive that body of men, white or black
who have been in this condition, and theil
ancestors before them, are qualified to be
Immediately lifted from their present stat
into the full exercise of political power, no
| g. thar nd THAR noiOh
bors, but to take part in the Government o
the United States? Can they be regarded a
intelligent or independent voters? TIL,
mere statement OF the fact furnishes th'
answer to the question"
4 Because OF a subsequent zeal, so extremi
as to be questionable, for the adoption of thu
Fifteenth amendment, would Mr.. Blain,
describe him as "a conspicuous convert,
and attribute his zeal to a desire to add I,
the voting strength of his party? Since thu
adoption Of the amendment was declared, i
has received that true support from tn
Democratic party which each citizen owe
10 every provision of the constitution.
In the month of February, 1870, visited
the city of New Orleans for the first time
Quite theoretically l was called upon t.
speak at Democratic meeting. Withou
note or preparation whatever, / stepped up
on the platform, decided upon one thin,
only, and that was to say just what was be
coming on my part to speak, and proper TO-
the men OF Louisiana to hear. For no pur
pose of self -vindication, but as expressing
my present views. will quote from what
then said:
sit Is a question for You TO consider yer,
carefully what attitude You men OF the Souti
shall occupy toward the colored population
There Is deliberate purpose on the part o
adventurers from the North-a class OF mel
who are described as carpet baggers-to appro
pirate the entire colored vote of the South L
their cause. And what is their cause? 1t j
not your cause; 1t is not the colored man
cause; 1t Is the cause of plumber. And tn
question presents itself in this form: Are yol
men OF the South willing that these adventur
ers shall appropriate that large vote-in SOM
of the Southern States a majority of the entir
vote? ~ New relations hav
come to exist between you an,
the colored people of the South. Hoy
Will you place yourselves in regard t
your seeking, and they may. perhaps, no
have been sought by the negro, but he is
. voter in Louisiana, as he will be in Indians
II the Fifteenth amendment Is declared adopt
ed, and 1t is not worth your while, nor Is