The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-29
THE C0LORED MANS FRIEND.
Mr.. Hendricks Attempts to Quiet Their Fears
Regarding Their Future State.

The Weep resident-elect, Hon Thomas A.
Hendricks, has finally made his last bid for the
support and friendship of a class, and this time
has thrown out bait for the colored man. In
Saturday mornings Journal an interview with
Governor Hendricks coachman was published,
in which indication was given Of what the
Hon. Thomas was incubating. The letter which
was published in the Colored World and The
People of Saturday, was written in answer to a
letter addressed him by Mr.. Edwin F. Horn, ed
itor Of the first named paper. 1t is as follows:
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. IL 1884.
Edwin F. Horn, Esq;
Dear Sir-Your favor of the l1th ult was duly
received, but absence from home and engage
ments could not neglect caused the delay in the
answer until this time.
You ask me what will be the probable policy
OF the incoming administration toward the col
ored people. The inquiry seems to be made
that the answer may alay the fears OF many
who think the colored man will be shorn of
many rights guaranteed to him in common with
all citizens, and that he will gradually be sub
iected to a species of slavery. The convention
that nominated the national Democratic ticket
adopted platform for the candidates to stand
upon that so clearly and fully stated the princi-
pies and purposes of the party that no voter
could be mistaken or misled in casting
his ballot 1t has never occurred to me to ques-
tion that the success of the party would be fol-
lowed by the adoption and maintenance of the
principles and purposes so declared. The fol-
lowing is a paragraph of the platform: assert
ing the equality of all men before the law. hold
that it is the duty of the government in its deal
ings with the people to mete out equal and exact
justice to all citizens of whatever nativity, race
color or persuasion--religous or political Can
l use language that will give stronger assurance
to the colored people that their rights, legal and
constitutional, will be respected and upheld by
the incoming Administrations This pledge was
made by the greatest political convention ever
held in this country-perhaps in the world.
That convention represented more that half the
people. But stronger and frmer than the
pledge of any party are the constitutional pro
visions that, prohibit slavery, confer citi,
zenship and guarantee equality of civil
and political rights These provisions have be-
come a part of the machinery Of organized SO
ciety, and being in support of natural rights are
practically irrevocable Whatever any of US
may have thought of the propriety of the adop-
ton of the later constitutional amendments at
the time and under the circumstances of their
adoption, they are now to be regarded as part
of the fundamental law of the land, never to be
questioned or disturbed
The liberty and citizenship of the colored man
are held by the same right and guarantee as
that of the white nan, and can no more be taken
from him nor impaired than they can be taken
from the white man. | would not concede that
a part or whole of the people could, by any &C
ton or in any form of law, deprive me Of my
liberty except for crime committed. or strip me
of citizenship so regard the liberty and citizen
ship of the colored man as invoable 1t
cruel thing at the late election to play upon the
credulity of the colored people and subject them
to a groundless fear of a return to slavery and
thus control their action as voters
had occasion, some years since, to express
my views upon tho subject of Negro Suffrage"
and in that discussion l said: 81 am not able to
see why the subject of negro suffrage should be
discussed, 1t must be known to all that the
late amendments will not be, cannot be- re
peaed. There is but the duty upon all to make
the political power, now held by the enfran
chised race the cause of the least evil and of the
greatest possible good to the country. The
gro is now free, and is the equal of the white
man in respect to his civil and political rights.
He must now make his own contest for position
and power. By his own conduct and success he
will be judged 1t will be unfortunate for him
if he shall rely upon political sympathy for posi-
ton, rather than upon duties well and intelli-
gently discharged.
Everywhere the white race should help him,
but his reliance must mainly be upon himself.
am very respectfully yours,
T. A. HENDRICKS.