The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1885-01-16
The ColOred People to the Democratic
PARTY.

colored man. The following is tho text:
To the Hons. WIN. Dor winner. Dudley d
Field, Algernon Il. sullivan, Il. A. Pryor,
and 10 eph Pulitzer
GENTLEMEN: | take tho liberty to
address you this open letter, because
influence with your party, and
because believe your devotion TO your
principles will admit of your advocating
that the Democratic party shall hence
forth favor the recognition of the col
ored element of the land
as it has not heretofore done.
/ refer, with some pride, to the
fact that my better judgment prompted
me to efforts toward bringing u bout such
a condition Of public affairs as would
warrant division of the coIored vote,
and that they have not been fruitless.
regard the election of Hon. Grover
Cleveland to tho presidency as
happy event 1t affords an opportunity
for the Democratic party to encourage
consistent and just policy toward the
coiored 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. Thomas A. Hendricks,
from the significant stand taken in con-
gress by such number of Democrats
on O'Hara's amendment to Mr..
Reagan's Interstate commerce bill,
from the portion affecting the
civil rig Is of tho cOlored men
taken by Mr., Cleveland as governor Of
the state Of New York, and of the SINH
lar just stands taken by a number Of
other Democratic governors, because
material interests prompt them TO such
q line of policy, and because 1t is just
A number of circumstances having had
the effect to arouse the cblored people
from their ntosication; as To tho party
that has been upon them, they will be
enabled in the future TO discriminate
and use more Judgments to what men,
partisan politics and acts encourage
Thorn. There are Democrats who are
much disposed to deal as fairly by the
colOred mon as are Others, but who
! have been unfortunately hampered and
restrained by an element within
the party which has caused tho
party To be disturbed aud passed by
for at least twenty-iOur long years
by a majority Of the people. This ele-
ment OF the party cannot, in Coon faith,
affect more liberal divisions, TO make
! further sacrifices or adhere TO a policy
| part of which Is not suited to the pres
ent state of affairs. L. cannot be ex.
| pected that al such cost policy that
wars with the declarations OF tho party
nationally made in 1872 aud emphal-
ically repeated in it's national platform
only few months ago, in obedience to
the emand OF public sentiment. This
advance is made TO you; gentlemen, not
to cOncede ary rights, but
because you are the Representative
portion Of the Democratic party, which
il power. | feel warranted in appeal
ing 10 IL, | do so because n crisis il
upon parties, because The Democrati,
party Is in q more mellow mOot
touching the interests o
the colored man than i
has exhibited i'm itself within my day
because | have never been slave u
any party. The col5yed vote may hu
won, which is better thai
to intimidate it. What is necessnr,
thereto does not call for change
varying from what has become, ma,
say, ~ somg extent, crystal'zed into tn
custom OF law. Beyond what hs
been conceded 10 he Just it involves n
disregard oil vested Interests, properly
claim or Invasion OF any privat
} or dOmiciliary rights. What is nrcos
sary is respect for common or publ
rights, regard for merit and iutellectug
attainment, respect, irrespective % col
or, for The proper feelings, iucludiu
, natural aud just aspirations 1t doe
not involve domination because G.
color by white or by colored. ! hope f.
fair play. Certainly my white fellow
citizen, who has had tho advantage 4
centuries OF culture aud domino
ton, and who Is wealthy, will no
be restrained from acting instl
by tho thou MT Of & blac
man in free and equitable field, AN
becoming master of the situation. Dis
trust of the Democratic party has bee
felt by the colorgd man, and not by hill
alone. II thre the party out of powe
in 1850 on issues involving the colore
mans rights. 1t is about to b
reinstated. May It's new advent {
power be for the best. Ii is the earnes
wish of those who are persuadel
that broader Democratic views sha
prevail on parties; that there should b
= division of the cOlored vote
that all remnants of past distrust be deS
trOyed. May our worthy incoming pres
} ident be encouraged on all sides, in tn
determination, SO far rs I'm him tn
! pc ier shall lay, so to do it that n
mans rights and privilege
shall b. discrimiuated agains
as at present, because OF his color. Th
| colored vote may be diviCe ed. Tho co
ored men are broadening daily. The
: are considering moro and more the II
tluenco of moral character, Of oC
uity, of industry and irugality
goes along with the occupancy q
1 places Of honor aud trust, and of 0the
| recognitions. There IL something bt
! yond sordid consideration involved
l Therefore, may wa not hope
among other things, that
I few competent colored person
may be appointed 10 some prOminaI
positions of honor and trust In tf
: north. IL would have n happy tiiec
l II would have u MOI Tying 'utlueu,
4 upon tho whites eft the soutI
. tenning towards a iUlpr acceptau,
e of the results OF the war.
4 would elevate, attach and feed the p,
triotism In the crl'red mau 10 secul
! life, liberty ANA property, including ii
y right to select lawmakers aud ruler
4 which Is not comforting Il gift
I 1t is simply showing =.
s affirmed ur belonging TO citi2e
Equality before tue law comprehend
i more than that. IL embraces recogn
Ci0n "a character shalt warrant In u
9 considerttonsin which equality befor
: the law Is involved
b Gemlemtn, believing that the incor
: ing administration may relieve u
: country from this omhar assing and q
citing question, and leave the color,
+, people more Tree TO consider materi
: anu like questions of public polio
may brg o you 10 give your enligh
L ened influence IN that direction?
y Your ubr,liput servant,
o Signedl CSC. L. DOWNING.
n Newport, Jan. S.
;. a RollioNng Radical Row.