The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-04-30
GEN. ii. p HUNT TO THE PRES
DDENT.
4 Native Republicans Idens About
The Coalition In Mississippi.
And the PswerIessuess OF the Fu-
sion 20 do any Good.

f sion 20 do any Good.
The following manly and rcadabl
I letter was addressed las: week by Gen
II. p. Hurst, of Mississippi to tn
President Of the United States:
WASHINGTON, ID. G., April 10, 'Sl.
, Mr.. President: The contemplate,
alliance of Republicans, Greenbacker
and independents in Mississippi fo
the purpose of attempting the over
throw of the Bourbons in the coming
State contest has doubtless been pre-
sented to your excellency in its vari
Gus phases by some of the enthHsi
astic shining lights who advocate
this departure. But if such combina
ton resulted successfully, and follow
ing in the wake of victory won by
a coalition the Republican Leaders
should attempt to carry out their pres.
ent plans and re-organize the party
unless this could be done upon IA very
broad, liberal and wise basis, with an
eye not single to party success alone,
but looking equally to the moral and
educational advancement of the bulk
of the party, who unfortunately, are
unlettered freedmen, | consider it,
accomplishment would be fraught
with such grave obstacles and dangers,
| am constrained unbidden to offer
some facts in relation to a political or
ganiZaiion | had not affiliated with
prior to the year 1875. Up to that
time | was regarded as n representa-
tive of class of white voters who
acted independently always opposing
bulldozing and the formation Of the
color-line by either party, yet ever
contending for pure ballot, "a fair
count, just administration of the
law for white and colored citizens
alike, and an honest State government
had always been on the most friend
ly terms with carpet-baggers, scala
wags, colored people and their oppo-
nents, and on joint recommendation
of Republicans and Democrats / was
selected by Gov. Ames, as the tested
friend and defender of the colored
race, to stand between his tottering
administration and the well armed,
thoroughly organized, maddened
hordes of White-liners that over
threw the Republican party In the
year before mentioned. Having had
the confidence and respect Of both
parties, and rs an active peace medi-
ator becoming familiar with the
causes that led to this political revolu-
ton, | yield to no Mississippian my
opinion as TO the requirements of
party to-day humiliated and prostrated
in the dust, the easy prey Of partisan
hyenas that even now are snarling
and gnashing at each other in theii
selfish greed TO dismember the body
IN order that they may fatten off Of
the few Federal offices within the
party control. Scheming, grasping,
narrow-minded, self constituted lead
ers without any regard for the security
and well-being of the freedman have
used him, and are using him, simply
as stepping-stone to power, and
these ofllce-seekers have bartered
away his rights and degraded his
manhood. 1t Is lamentably true that
of all the old leaders of the Republi- |
can party remaining in Mississippi |
not one in ten can muster Corporal's |
Guard of white adherents. Yet the |
majority of these fossils are clever, |
sociable, gentlemanly fell
lows-good companions, and as citi-
zens are generally respected, but dis
trusted as politicians, i'm the commu-
nifty in which they live. Many of
these leaders are my personal friends,
Notwithstanding | freely admit they
have not the power TO induce white
recuits to join the Republican ranks,
for If 1t Is remembered in days gone
by when such recuits could have been
had, 1t was the policy, land 1t is yet
to great extent,) Of these same
leaders, to keep intelligent white men
put Of the party, as such additions
would hazard their leadership and
official position, for all were office
holders or Office seekers. At'this late
lay the fossil still attempts to lead by
Ihrusling himself forward and solidi-
ying the colored vote, and 20 this
lass Of politicians have become
dangerous stumbling blocks In
he path Of Republican progress.
As this course Of running the
,arty entirely on a colored basis
las been repeatedly tried and as
'ften failed, and such a policy will
'ontinue to be curse by driving away
intelligent white voters which the
'ariy must have i'm order TO build up
N solid foundation and become res
'ectable and self-sustaining. The
olored Office seek ing politician has
lot been a success or a benefactor to
lie race, and as q leader never can
ain sufficient strength 10 divide the
Fbite vote, ana without such q dlvis-
1n nothing but disaster and disgrace
wait the Republican cause. How
yer, there are many honest and cap
bic colored men whose appointment
nd election 10 certain Offices would be
1st satisfactory and beneficial 10 the
arty. The freedman in local and
tate elections, in many cases, now
sem inclined to vote for men regard
- Of politics but with view Of get
ng the most favors possible for his .
allot. But the colored man 10 natural
! a Republican, and in natural con-
,sts he will undoubtedly follow bis
'sders blindly, ss Of yore, be they
onest OF not, and he having reckless
: followed many unwiss and dlshOn-
't leaders somewhat explains why 1
le whites could be induced 10 array