The Indianapolis leader., 1881-03-05
SENATOR BRUCE.
His Eminent Qualifications for Place
In Garfield's Cabinet.
The Claims of the Negro Race Upon
the Republican Party for
Recognition.
The CoIored Voter Not Likely to Elect
Republicans Much Longer without
Having a Fair Share of the Spoils
"A Ringing Letter From
Democrat.
indianapolis Sentinel

Can any one give reasonable excuse for all the
appointment of the colored Senator, Bruce 10 a /
Cabinet office? Is there any line In the Constitu-
precepts of the Republican party or in human |
nature that puts pr MUM on the colored race? |
am in favor OF giving them an equal chance in |
the battle OF life, OF defending and protecting |
them; but l am not in favor OF placing them |
ahead of the white man. The white race In this |
country counts about 450 o,oOO the black race |
black man that should give him precedence over
the white man? Certainly nothing. Yet those
wiS, VINO advocate MT; Brnee,s appointment to the
above his white brother Senator Bruce is an
ignorant man, with no more capacity for high
in the country. He can not write the English
language, he can not speak ii, and he knows
nothing OF governments or public affairs. That
act upon great questions is no fault of his for he
has not had decent advantages, but there is no
reason that the Government should reward him
with a great office that account. What would
the people OF this country think Ii Mr.. Garfield
should appoint white man of Mr.. Bruce's men
APPOINTING A NEGRO TO THE CABINET
Washington Cd. c. Republic (Radical)
The paper from which the above infa-
mously unjust and unproyOked article is I
taken is edited by
ONE RAMsDEL, A sTALwART REPUBLICAN,
and for many years the Washington editor
OF the New York Times. The Republic be-
sumes to speak for the Republican party-a
sort of Sir Oracle, as it were. To those who
are personally acquainted with
HON. B. X. BRUCE,
it is not necessary to say that the article
above quoted is unjust, malicious and vim
dictive, and inspired by mean-spirited
envy, as it is an insult TO the entire cOlOred
voting population CT the whole country. 1t
should be read by every member of his race,
and carefully compared with the expressed
sentiments of distinguished Democrats who
know Mr.. Bruce WELL who recognize his
merit, and have the courage and magnanim-
ity to do him justice, regardless of politics.
race or color.
TESTIMONY.
Senator Lamar, who is the peer of any
American has said in a recent interview:
believe that the selection of Senator Bruce for
q Cabinet position would give much satisfac
tion TO the southern people as the selection OF
any white Republican III the Southern States.
Mr.. Bruce's conduct in the Senate has been such
as not to alienaie himself from the southern Peo-
upon the South. which many of his Republican
colleagues in the Senate Chamber have constantly
pursued. He is an intelligent man. and the best
| representative OF his race in Etublic life.
No one will DOUBT tha soundness of the
democracy of Congressmlen Chalmers Sim
gleton, Money and Muldfbw, of Mississippi,
who have been abused without stint by the
| Ramsdel class of stalwarts. These gentle
men, in late interview, stated:
General Chalmers said 'sehator Bruce In the
Cabinet would be as satisfactory TO the people OF
Mississippi as the selection of any Southern white
| Republican for such an honor that know. Mr..
Bruce resides in my District He is a strsightfor
ward man. He secured his election TO the Senate
in opposition to the efforts of carpet -baggers to
| defeat him. When he Sheriff OF my County
| he performed his duties In thoroughly non-par
| tisan manner. He has represented the State in
the Senate instead of political faction, and has
| invariably shown disposition 10 be of assistance
| to Democrats well Republicans, when he
| could do SO without going directly against his
party
Mr. Money says: .'It doesn't make any differ
ence to the Southern people what Southern Re-
publican Is put in the Cabinet. Senator Bruce
would satisfy the Southern Democrats as well as
any one. He has shown more consideration for
| his political opponents than majority of the
| Southern Republicans. Ny relations with him
are pleasant, and have always found him will
ing to do anything for US that he could do with
out flying in the face OF his natural party affilia
| tions."
Mr. Muldrow says: ''I had rather see Mr. Bruce
in the Senate than any other Southern Republican
have heard named He is the best representa-
tive OF the colored that know, and his polit
ical action In Washington has been such to raise
him greatly In the estimation of Southern Demo
Gratis.
| Mr. Singleton says: Senator Bruce evinces
/ good administrative talents In the manner in
which he manages and advances the interests OF
the people OF Mississippi, and, we do not expect
the appointment OF Southern Democrat 10 a Cab
know OF no Republican that would treat the
South better than Senator Bruce. He would make
an excellent Secretary Of the Interior or PostInas
| ter General"
This comprises the Mississippi delegation
| in Congress, with the exception of Colonies
Hooker and Manning, and the latter is un-
| derstood to admire Senator Bruce as much
| as do any of the others.
The Post (Democratic) of this city said
| editorially:
There is no other Southern Republican whose
appointment TO Cabinet position would be
ceptable 70 so many people of both parties In the
| South as that OF Senator Bruce 1t is desired by
| the Republicans OF that section with nearer APP
proach 10 unan1mity than the meRtton of any
other name would inspire
| The white people OF the southern states-most
| the movement. They think 1t would be not only
| just but expedient. They would have increased
respect for General Garfield if he should show
himself possessed of moral courage enough to do
right by his black political brethren.
General Garfield is fully aware of the fact that
he owes his election TO the colored vote. He and
| his friends know that the loyalty of the blacks
saved them from defeat In Indiana, Ohio and New
| York. In fact Ii is undeniable that but for the
| devotion OF the colored brethren the Republican
party would have gone out Of power and out of
/ existence long ago.
| 1t remains to be seen whether the black Repub-
the back stoop. or invited to the family table to
| feast on the vians which but for them would be
spread before another political party.
| To this take pleasure in adding my indi-
| vidual testimony. | had Senator Bruce for
| travelling companion from indianapolis to
| Washington duriug the last campaign.
| found him rich in practical information
drawn from his own experience and obser-
| vation, and a thoroughly well-read
man, cOnversant with the history of
| his country, and one who had we'll
matured ideas as to its needs, its capabilities
and possibilities; of its manufacturing, agri-
cultural educational and it's social interests.
Senator Bruce has travelled over Europe, and,
from his conversations, was convinced that
| he closely observed and studied the inside
workings of foreign governments / do not
know that the editor of the Republic has
| the capacity to crlticise the intellectual ac-
| quirements of gentleman. 1t is charitable
to assume that he has not, for if he has he
| Is deplorably deficient in honesty and truth,
| or never came near enough TO Senator Bruce
| to. observe even his shadow.
SENATOR BRUcE's STANDING As SENATOR.
will undertake to say that there is not
member of the Senate who suspects Senator
Bruce of ignorance, or who doubts his abili-
ty to write and speak the English language.
He has filled his place in the Senate and
performed difficult Committee work, and
argued questions of economy and public
polity with much ability as any repre-
sentative of the people from any section;
and he will retire from the Senate as highly
respected by his brother Senators for states
manship integrity and gentlemanly deport-
ment as any man who has filled the place
of Senator. ss.-
| slh SENATOR BRUCE SOCIALLY.
1t is but stating facts to say that both
Senator Bruce and his young wife have won
the highest respect of the very best people
in Washington social life and they are re-
uad oil wi or