The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1885-01-22
Tho Coiored Peopl. to the Democratic
Party,

prospect
Tho Coiored Peopl. to the Democratic
Party.
NEW YoRK, Jan. i5.-Tho Freeman
(the colorod peoples newspaper here
" i'll publish, tomorrow, an open letter
10 the Democratic party, written by
George Il. Dowing, u well-known
colored man. The following IL me text
To the Hons. VIM. Dorsheimer, Dudley ID.
Field Algurnon l.. sullivan, H. ~ Pryor,
GENTLEMEN: / take tho liberty to
address you this open letter, because
you are Democrats ana nave
influence with your party, ana
because believe, your devotion 10 your
principles will admit OF your advocating
that tho Democratic party shall hence
forth favor the recognition OF the col,
ored element of the ihhd
IA IL has not heretofore done.
| refer, with some pride, To tine
fact that my better Judgment prompted
me to efforts toward bringing apout surn
condition OF public affairs a. would
warrant division of tho colored vote,
and that they nave not been irnitiess.
/ regard the election of Hon. Grover
Cleveland to the presidency as
"A happy event. IL affords an opportunity
for the Democratic party TO encourage II
consistent and just policy toward tho
colored man, which, | believe, will be
taken advantage of. This belief
arises from expressions already
made by tho president-elect, from
encouraging declarations unexpectedly
given by Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks,
from the significant stand taken III con-
grsss by such number of Democrats
on O'Ilara's amendment to Mr..
Reagan's interstate commerce bill,
from the portion affecting the
civil rig Is OF the colored mon
taken by Mr.. Cleveland rs governor Of
the state of New Yorh, aud of the SINH
lar just stands taken by number nt
other Democratic governors, because
material interests prompt them 10 shch
Il line of policy, and because IL is just.
A number of circumstances having mad
the effect To arouse the cylored people
from their iutoNication; rs 10 tho party
that has been upon them, they Will be
enabled in the future to discriminate
and use more Judgment as to what mon,
partisan politics and acts encourage
them.s' There are Democrats who aye
much disposed to deal as fairly by tho
colored men as are others, but VINO
have been unfortunately hampered and
restrained by an element within
the party which has caused the
party to be disturbed and passed by
for at least twenty-tour long years
by majority of the people. This ele'
ment of the party cannot, in COON falth,
affect more liberal divisions, to make
further sacrifices or adhere to policy
part of W ich is not suited to the pres
ent state of affairs. 1t cannot be eX-
pected that at such cost q policy that
wars with the declarations Of the party
nationally made in 1872 aud emphat-
ically repeated in its national platform
only n 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 the representative
portion Of tho Democratic party, which
Is power. feel warranted in appeal
ing to II. | do so because II crisis il
upon parties, because the DemOcratic
party is in more mellow mood
touching the interests ."
the colored man than i,
has exhibited in itself within my day,
because | have never been slave 10
any party. The colored vote may be
won, which is better than
to intimidate it. What is necessary
thereto does not call for changes
varying from what has become, | may
say, to some extent, crystal,zed into tine
custom of law. Beyond what has
been conceded TO be just it involves no
disregard of vested interests, properly,
claim or invasion OF any private
or domicilary rights. What is neces-
sary is respect for common or public
rights, regard for merit and intellectual
attainment, respect, irrespective OF col
or, for the proper feelings, including
natural and just aspirations. 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 DONNA
ton, and who is wealthy, will not
be restrained from acting Justly
by the thouGht of black
man in free and equitable field, and
mRster Of tne situation. Dis
trust of The Den Ocrati" party has been
alone. 1t tire y The party out of power
in 1860 on issues involving the colored
mans rights. 1t is about to be
reinstated. 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 on parties; that there should be
a division OF the colored vote:
that all remnants of past distrust be des-
ident be encouraged on all sides, in the
determination, So far as in him the
30 Ter shall lay, so to do it that no
shall be Disseminated against
as at present, because of his color. The
colored vote may be divided. The col
ored men are broadening daily. They
are considering more and more the in
fluence of moral character, of co.
uity, of industry and frugality.
They observe the consideration that
goes along with the occupancy of
places of honor and trust, and of other
There is something be-
yond sordid consideration involved.
may we not hope,
among other things, that a
few competent colOred persons
may be appointed to some prominent
positions Of honor and trust in the
north. 1t would have happy effect.
1t would have modifying Influence
upon the whites of the south,
tending towards fuller acceptance
of the results of the war. 1t
would elevate, attach and feed the pa
triotsm in the cOlored man to secure
life, liberty and property, including the
right to select Lawmakers and rulers,
which is not comforting a gift
specs IS for S' lights e coDstitastionaiiv
affirmed or belonging to citizen.
Equality before the law comprehends
more than that. It embraces recogni-
ion as character shall warrant in all
in which equality before
the law Is involved.
Gentlemen, believing that the incom-
ing administration may relieve the
from this embarrassing and ex-
,iting question, and leave the colored
people more free to consider material
md like questions of public policy,
nay beg OF you to give your enlight-
med influence in that direction?
Your obedient servant,
lSigned GEO. T. DOWNING.
Newport, Jan. s.