The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-16
A PLEA FOR RECOGNITION.
A Well-KnOwn Colored Man Addresses
a Letter to Prominent Democrats.
Pointing Out What Might Be Accomplished
by President Cleveland Giving Federal
Offices to Few Black Men.

NEW YORK, Jan. 15.-The New York Free
man. the colored peoples newspaper here. will
publish tomorrow an open letter to the Demo
cratic party, written by Geo. T. Downing, a
well-known colored man. The following is its
text:
ITO the Hons VIM. Dorsheimer, David D Field, Al
gernon s. Sullivan r. IL. Pricer and Joseph PulltZer
''Gentlemen-I take the liberty to address
you this open letter because you are Democrats,
and have influence with your party, and because
believe your devotion to your principles Will
admit of your advocating that the Democratic
party shall henceforth favor recognition of the
colored element of the land, as it has not hereto
fore done.
Il refer with some pride to the fact that my
better judgment prompted me to efforts toward
bringing about such condition of public affairs
as would warrant division of the colored vote,
and that they have not been fruitless. regard
the election of Hon. Grover Cleveanda as a happy
event 1t affords opportunity for the Democrat
ic party to encourage consistent and
just policy toward the colored man,
which | believe will be taken advantage
of. This belief arises from expressions already
made by the President-elect; from encouraging
declarations unexpectedly given by Hon. Thos.
A Hendricks; from the significant stand taken
in Congress by such number of Democrats on
Mr. OHaras amendment to the Reagan inter
state commerce bill; from the position affecting
civil rights of colored men taken by Mr. Cleve-
land as Governor of the State of New York, and
from similar just stand taken by number of
other Democratic Governors; because material
interests prompt to such line of policy, and
because it is just. A number of circumstances
having had the effect to arouse the colored peo-
pie from their intoxcation as to the party that
has been supported by them, they will be en-
abled in the future to discriminate and use more
judgment as to what men, parti-
policies
them. There are Democrats who are
much disposed to deal fairly by the colored men
as are others. but who have been unfortunately
hampered and restrained by an element within
the party which has caused the party to be dis
trusted and passed by for at least twenty four
long years by a majority of the people. This
element Of the party cannot, in good faith, ex-
pect more liberal division, to make further sac.
rifces, or adhere to a policy of the past, not
suited to the present state of affairs. 1t cannot
be expected at such costa policy that wars
with the declarations of the party, nationally
made, in 1872, and emphatically repeated in its
national platform only, a few months
ago, in obedience to- the demand
of public sentiment. This advance
is made to you, gentlemen, not to concede
any rights, but because you are representative
portions of the Democratic party, which is a
power. l feel warranted in appealing to'it.
do so because a crisis is upon the parties; be-
cause the Democratic party is in a more mellow
mood touching the interests of the colored man
than has exhibited itself within my day: because
L have never been slave to party. The colored
vote may be won, which is better than to intim-
date it, What is necessary thereto does not call
for a change varying from what has become, /
may say, to some extent, crystallzed into Gus
tom or law, or beyond what has been conceded
to be just. 1t involves no disregard
of vested interests. proprietary claim
invasion of any private or domiciliary
right. What is necessary is respect for common
or public rights, regard for merit or intellectual
attainment respect, irrespective of color, for
proper feelings including natural and Just aspira-
tions. 1t does not involve domination because
of color by white or by colored. l hope for fair
play. Certainly, my white fellow.citizen who
has had the advantage of centuries of culture
and domination, and who is wealthy, will not be
| restrained from acting justly by the thought of
the black man, in free and equitable field. be-
coming master of the situation. Distrust of the
Democratic party has been felt by the colored
| man, and not by him alone. 1t threw the party
out of power in 1860, on issues involving the
colored mans rights. 1t is about to be rein
stated. May its new advent to power be
| for the best 1t is the earnest
wish of those who are persuaded that
broader Democratic views shall prevail in the
parties, that there should be division of the
colored vote, that all remnants of past distrust
be destroyed. May our worthy incoming Pres
| ident be encouraged on all sides in determine
| tion so far as in him the power may lay, to so
do it that no mans rights and privileges shall be
UlSCIlLilHtGou against DIS dI pTeSeuG BECAUSE OF
his color. The colored vote may be divided
The colored men are broadening daily. They
are considering more and more TIE influence Of
moral character of education, of industry and
frugality in getting respect and they observe
the influence begotten of being cared for by
their fellows. They observe the consideration
that goes along with the occupancy of places of
honor and trust, and of other recognitions. There
is something beyond sordd consideration in
volved. Therefore, may we not hope, among
other things, that few competent colored per-
sons may be appointed to some prominent DO.
sitions of honor and trust in the North? It
would have happy effect 1t would have a
modifying influence upon the whites of the
South, tending towards fuller acceptance of the
results of the war, 1t would elevate, attach and
feed patriotism in the coiored man. To secure
life, liberty and property, including the right to
select law makers and rulers, is not con-
ferring gift, it is simply showing
respect for the rights constitutionallv affirmed
as belonging to citizens equality before the
law, but it comrrehends more than that 1t
embraces recognition, as character shall war
rant, in all considerations in which equality be-
fore the law is involved Gentlemen, believing
that the incoming administration may relieve
the country from this embarrassing and exciting
question and leave the colored people more free
| to consider material and like questions of public
policy may beg of you to give your enlIght-
ened influence in that directionl
''Your obedent servant
GEO I. DOWNING.
'NEwPoRT r. l., Jan. s. 1886"
UDEI nU7