National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-09-27
FRED. DOUGLASS
PAYS HIS TRIBUTE TO GARFIELD.
The ColOrsd Citizens OF the district Hold Memorial
Neetlns-Hishly Interesting Exercises
Speeches by Douglass, Greener,
Langston, and Hicks.

A large and interesting meeting of the
colored citizens of the District was held last even
ing at the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church
The meeting was called to order by Mr.. W. Il. Mat.
thews. Frederick Douglass presided and, after
devotional exercises conducted by Rev. Or. Ran
kin and Rev. Mr.. Hicks Mr. Douglass spoke as fol.
lows:
FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS To-day ourc com.
mon mother earth closed oyer the mortal remains
Of James A. Garfield. The light Of no day in our
history has brought more widespread sense of
bereavement, deeper sorrow, or more profound
humiliation to the American people. IL seems
only as yesterday that IL was my privilege to walk
before James A. Garfield through the Senate
Chamber and through the Capitol OF the Nation;
through Its long corridors, through its grand ro-
tunda under its majestic dome to the broad plat
form erected at It's east portico where lie was
greeted by tons OF thousands of his fellow citizens
and where, amid n sea OF transcendant pomp and
glory, he was inaugurated President Of the United
states. The scene was one never to be forgotten
IL was great day for the Nation, glad to do honor
70 It's chief Magistrates was a great day for
james a. Garfield. He was then in the midst of
his years, In the fulness OF manly vigor, covered
with honors beyond the reach OF princes, en-
tering upon career more abundant In promise
than ever invited President or potentate before
But alas what Is the life Of MANI What are his
hopesY What are the pomp and glory of this
world? Who can tell what an hour will bring
forth2 How vain and unsubstantial do they all
appear 10 the light of this sad experience Fellow
citizens we are hear to take suitable notice OF this
appalling event. Our hearts have gone along
with that of the Nation in every expression, in
every token and demonstration of honor for the
dead and sympathy for the living. But we have
iclt lhat something more was due from us. Our
relation TO the American people makes us in some
sense peculiar class, and devolves upon us pc
culiar duties; and, as such class we propose to
put on record this evening our sense OF the great
calamity that has overtakcn us. i do not claim TO
have been intimate with the late President. Soon
after he came to Washington had conversation
with him OF some interest &c the colorcd people Of
the United States, SINCE II shows TO some extent
his Intentions toward them and presents him In
the light of wise statesman and the friend of q
people oppressed and prescribed
Early In his term called on him, and was re-
oeiycd kindly He spoke of what might be his
probable policy in regard to the coored people In
respect to their position rs part of the governing
element Of this country He said:
Douglass, mean 10 take a step forward, not
backward. i intend to, send colored representa-.
lives not only 10 the colored governments, but to
the white governments. How do you think that
they VIII be receiyed2"
General Garfield" replied 81 am delighted 10
hear you say So know that no race Of people
can be respected who are ignored by their own
government have spent some time in Europe,
grade of culture and refinement the less prejudice
exists against race" He then kindly offered to send
me, Sgbroad and offered me avery good place indeed
There was John Nj. LrngstOn, representing the
Government at Hayti, and ii. IT, Garnet at Ii
IBERIA: but these are both colored governments.
II would have been n great gain for us II Garfield
had lived and sent intelligent cOlOred men to rep
resent this great Government with white govern
gencc of the coored people. I might say more of
Garfield, but Il is hard TO say anything new No
than he that now lies under the sod at Cleveland.
Mr.. Douglass t.rcn calico upon Prot Greencr, who
Iead series of.resolutions eloquenty expressive
Of their Of the great loss that had been sus
tained and their sympathy with the family of the
,a.3 President. Prof. GTeener thon spoke briefly
and was followed by Prof. John N; L6nstoh aud
Rev. W. w. Hicks, All the speakers expressed
their confidence in President Arthur and in his
ability to give the country q wise and beneficial
administration.