The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-16
GEORGE 7. DOWNING,
An Open letter to the Democratic PARTY
by = weiI-KnOwn Colorsa Man..

NEW YORK, Jan. l5.-The New YORK
Freeman, the colored peoples Newspaper
here, will publish tomorrow an open letter
10 the Democratic party, written By George
Z. Downing. q weli-known colored msa.
The following is the text
To Hons. William DOrsheimeT, Dudley p. Field.
Aleernon s. Sullivan. K IL. Pricer and Joseph
GESfLEMEN-I take the liberty to address you
this Open letter because you are Democrats and
have influence vito your party, aud because 1
believe your devotion 10 your principles vii. al
nit of your advocating thst the Democratic party
shall henceforth favor the recognition OF the
fore done. refer with some pride 20 the fact
that my better judgment prompted me TO edorts
toward bringing about such condition OF public
atalrs as would warrant a division OF the c0lored
vote. and that they have not been fruitless. I
Cleveland 70 the Presidency as a happy event II
affords opportunity for the Democratic party
10 encourage consistent sRd Just policy toward
me eoioIed man which, believe, wall be taken
advantage OF. This belief ariseS from expressions
already made by the President-elect. and from en-
couraglng declarations unexpectedly given by
Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks from the significant.
stand taken in Congress By such = NUMBER OF
Inter State commerce bill: from the piston
affecting the civil rights of the colored man TAKEN
by Mr.. Cleveland as Governor of the state OF New
York, and OF similar Just stands taken by a mum
Der OF other Democratic Governors, because mate
rial interests prompt TO such line OF policy and
having had the effect 20 arouse the colored people
from the intOxicstiOn as TO the party that has
been upon them, they viii be enabled ia tae
future 10 discriminate aud use more Judgment az
to what men. partisan policies snd acls encourage
them. There are democrats who are as much dis
posed TO deal fairly by colored men as are ethers
but who have been unfortunately hsmperec and
restrained by the element within the party which
has caused the party 10 be distrusted and passed
by for least twenty four long years By ma
jority of the people. This element of the party
can not IN good faith expect a mora liberal
division further r All n q
policy OF the past not suited 10 the
present state of affairs: Il can not be
wars with the declarations OF the party, nation
ally made in 1872, and emphatically repeated In
obedience TO the demand Of public sentiment.
This advance Is made 10 you, gentlemen not to
concede any rights. but because you are a repre-
sentative portion OF the Democratic party. which
Is a power. and feel warranted in app ealing to it
do so because crisis is upon the parties; be-
cause the Democratic party Is n more mellow
mood touching the interest of the colored man
than has exhibited itself within my day; because
have never teen slave TO party. The colorot
vote may be won, which is better than 10 intImi-
date it. What IS necessary thereto does not call
for change varying from what has be-
come. may say, 10 some extent crystalized
into a custom or law, or beyond what has been
conceded to be jast 1t involves no disregard OF
vested interests, proprietary claims. invasion or
any private or domiciliary right what is necessary
is respect for common or public rights regard for
tiye Of Color for nroper teelines incndsnr nstTsI
and Just aspirations. IL does not involve DONNA
ton because of color by white or by colored. 1
hope for fair play. Certainly. my white fellow.
citizen, who has had The advantage of centuries OF
culture and domination, aud who IS wealthy.
VIII not be restrained from acting Justly
by the thought OF black man. in
free and equitable field. becoming
master of the situation: Distrust of the Demo.
cTotic party hss been felt by the coiored man. and
not by him alone IL thrt the party out OF pos er
in 1860 on the issues involving the colored mans
advent to power be for the best IL is the earnest
wish OF those who ere persuaded that broader
Democratic views shall prevail IN parties hat
there should be division of the coiored vote;
that sl remnants OF the past distrus be destroyed
May our worthy incoming President be encour-
aged all sides in his determination that. so far
as in him the power shall lay TO so do IT. that no
mans rights and PRIVILEGES shall be Disseminated
against. as at present, because of his color. The
broadening daily they are considering more end
more the Influence OF moral character. OF educa-
ana observe the influence beRott-n OF being cared
for follows. They observe the consideration that
trust. and of other recosnitions. There is some
thing beyond sordid consideration involved.
Therefore may we not hope, among other things.
ne a positions Of honor and rust ii tns
would have a modifying influence upon the
whites of the South, tending toward fuller &C.
ceptance of the results Of the war. II would ele-
vaie, attach and feed patriotism in the colored
man To secure life. liberty and property. includ-
ing The right to select lawmakers and rulers. is
ing respect for rights constitutionslIy
affirmed belonging to citizen equal
i;y before the law. IL coHprehends
more than that. Ii embraces recognition as char
shall warrant in ell considerations in which
equality before the law is involved. Gentlemen,
believing that the incoming administration may
relieve the country from embarrassing aud ex-
citing question and leave the cO.ored people more
free 10 consider material and like questions Of
public policy. may beg of you TO give your en-
lghtened influence in that direction?
Your obedient servant
(signed) GEORGE T. DOWNING.
Newport, & J., Jan. 6. 1885.