The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-01-27
To the Editor Of The Providence yeus.


that man is an migrate, is a serious
thing and calls for proof Of its business.
was with the Republican party when it
came into existence. / have urged il for
years, within its fold, to be true to
freedom and equality before the law, and
To be appreciative OF the colored vote
have petitioned it to adopt the suggestions
of Charles Summer and other broad
minded patriots-true friends of freedom,
which suggestions were based on the inn
mortal Declaration of Independence, and
were in accord with the fundamental
principles of the Government. The party
leaned toward the above, but TO the ex-
tent it was compelled it did this reluc-
tantly, under "a pressure. | do not refer
TO individual members but to its man
ayers.
NThe Justly and greatly honored Abra-
ham Lincoln had admitted that he did
not free the slaves because il was their
right to be free. but TO save the Union.
His emancipation proclamation declared
for the liberation only of such colored men
and women as were slaves to parties in
armed rebellion against the government,
the rest he left in bondage.
There can be traced a similar line of pol
lev on the part of the Republican party
showing that from necessity military and
political, the colored people have been
pulled by the party from pit, to use your
figures, to the extent they are, but not be-
cause it is just, that their being benefited
was an incident, secondary considera-
ton.
Through the heroic the reckless and un-
compromising persistency of Senator
Summer: by his placing himself for jus
tice sake across legislation, he succeeded
in having civil rights bills passed; but a
Supreme bench composed of Republicans,
criticised by one OF its members for SO
doing, nullified the same; it nullified them,
as think, unjustly, in the face OF plain
language, clearly expressed, and of a
known intent.
The Republican party, in seeking for It's
most heroic and faithful adherents, will
have to look for them from among its
colored supporters. But how have these
been treated Z They have been treated as
scullions to the party; seemingly their
place was in the party's kitchen, fitting
persons TO constitute spittoon brigade.
Look on these facts and others l might
present, and say, IL you can, Mr.. Editor,
that it is just to charge an intelligent,
self-respecting colored man with being an
migrate because he resolves-as n policy
not as a partisan, with the hope of law
fully bettering his condition, to affiliate
with the Democratic party with the hope
of changing its policy, especially when
prominent portions of IL invite him, make
honorable proposals. do acts that are in
the line of justice, and when IL is taken
into consideration that IL is necessary to
induce the Southern wing Of the party TO
change its policy for the better affecting
the colored man, that the change can be
hoped for, when he feels sure that the
Northern wing of the party can be most
influential in affecting its Southern wing.
If the colored voter shall divide, il is not
likely that these colored men who shall
adhere to the Republican party will have
less hold upon IL. This is sent To you,
respected sir, because there has appeared
in your paper an editorial rejecting on n
move 10 organize Democratic club In
your city, to be composed of colored men.
You will, as an act of justice, give place
In your paper 20 the communication.
GRO. 4. DOWNING,
Newport, Jan. oj, 1S92.