Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-24
The Prescription Of the Colored Race
BY the Republicans Of the North.
To the Editor of the Virginian:

To the Editor of the Virginian:
am misunderstood by you; am placed
in a light in your columns that does me in
justice. My position is that in the manage
ment of the civil service color should not be
a consideration; that merit, whether in white
or black, should control; that when color
enters, as it does in the management OF the
civil service by the powers that be, an invid-
ious, detecting, despising feeling is manifested
that creates recruitment in a manly, sensitive
person; that the Republicans are not justi-
fed, especially in the light of their PROBES.
sions, in uniformly refusing to place colored
persons, solely on account Of their color, In
any important position of honor and trust 10
the North; that the uniform refusal to do
80 is more inconsistent on their part mas
much as they have placed colored men in
such positions in the South, regardless of a
prejudice known TO exist in that section. My
concern is not so much about colored men en-
joying the benefit of Office for the individuals
who may be selected, as it is about the lack
of consideration and respect for an entire
class exhibited in keeping all of its members,
because of their color, from office. Compe-
tent colored persons have been passed by TO
place less competent persons into prominent
positions; positions which the passed-by
could better fill. All citizens, white and
black, should qualify themselves for the re-
probabilities that go along with citizenship;
happily we do not seem to differ on this
point. You quote the New York Observer,
and affirm that ait we'll says" when it says:
"The colored people should seek to be 30
thoroughly qualified that their recognition
in the State will be a matter of course
This lie liberal aud just; it ad-
miis the entillement of colored men
10 consideration when they have
merritt is the extent of my demand. The
dissatisfaction at being invidiousy pro-
scribed by Republicans manifested by M nly
colored men in the North will sppesr more
reasonable when your attention shall be
called to some facts. Permit me to present
my case. Judge us not by the forced posi-
ton in which colored men have been placed
In the South; judge US not by your education
as 10 colored men, and your absolute control
over them. i was reared in that portion of
our country and with such surroundings,
and under such teachings as fed The feeling
free and manly parents encouraged In me,
which was, that / was a freeman, a citizen,
and that should feel my entitlement to all
that goes Herewith. / have exercised the
elective franchise for more than forty years;
l have had the advantage of educational in
siituies; 1 have felt free to resent an indig-
nifty; / have always had the means 10 CRAFTY
reasonable desires; l have for years attended
lectures, lyceums, concerts, churches, and
other public gatherings with no more restraint
than have other members of the community I;
have fellowshiped with Republicans, yes,
aud aided them with means and mental SER
vice, having been selected to do 80. L would
ask whether under these circumstances it is
unreasonable for me to protest against being
prescribed on account of my color, by a
party that processes 10 respect nay rights
and feelings? l see more consistency on the
part Of the white people of The South, who
have held the black as their abiect slave,
in treating him with contempt, than for the
North to disrespect him as it does in the face
OF Its education and professions. I feel ia
this matter. Yes, 1 would encourage the
South. L would encourage and entreat
those parties who have outraged our rights
and feelings; under The changed aspect Of
sffairs, inasmuch ss no interest or institu-
ton is now subserved by disrespectiug the
feelings, and by denying the colored ian his
rights to do at least as much as is being
done for US by "professed friends" I would
encourage competition in proper respect tor
our feelings; the colored man will appre-
ciate such a course; no evil consequences
Will ensue; this would not antagonize the
civil-service reform agitated, over,urn So
ciety, disregard the laws of affinity, or in
vsde domicilisry rights. When slavery
existed and had interests to be subserved. il
oversh allowed ali the actions of the govern
ment-all legislation, it's interests, foreign
and domestic. This resulted ia sad conse-
quences; all action was dwarfed; everything
was tried in the light of hox it would affect
the institution; church, State, all interests
bowed to its edicis. Now lis offspring, preiu.
dice, overshadows and dwarfs action, and is
hindrance 10 essential reforms; they will
have less restricted chance when this child
OF slavery ehall be put away-when all men,
white and black, shall be treated as they
shall merit. GEORGE T. DOWNING.
NEWPORT, r. l., January 10. 1888.
The Vuginian, commenting on this letter,
says: "The occasion of this correspondence
was publication in the New York Observer,
a short time since, in which Mr.. Downing
was spoken Of as using his influence with
his race to influence them TO act independ-
emily Of the Republican party; the better 10
insure that recognition In the distribution OF
efice which they have failed, up 10 this
time, TO receive at the hands Of the Northern
Republicans. We published the comments
of the Observer, TO which were added some
OF our own, with perfect understanding, as
we thought, of the aim of M. Downing.
We cannot therefore concede now that there
was any Misrepresentation in our remarks of
his real position in the premises. And his
letter shows clearly enough that he is not
satisfied with the treatment received by its
colored members at the hands of
the Northern Republican party. Mr..
Downing will doubtless be remem-
bered as the popular keeper of
the restaurant in the southern wing OF the
capitol, Tor many year,, and where we once