New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-28
PRICE THREE CENTS.
FORCED OUT OF HIS PARTY
HENRY F. DOWNING NO LONGER A DEMO.
Graf
NO sELF.REspECTING NEGRO HE SAYS. cAx
SUPPORT MR.. CLEVELAND.


Henry F. Downing, the Editor of The Messen-
GER" the paper published in the interest Of the
colored men of Brooklyn and elsewhere: who was
an official under President Cleveland, is out In q
letter declaring his intention to oppose the cleo
tion of Mr.. Cleveland. The letter is addressed to
the Chairman of the Literary Bureau of the Demo
cratic National Committee. Mr.. Downing has been
lifelong Democrat and has worked assidIously
for years for the success of the Democratic party
His letter is as follows:
Brooklyn, September 81 1902.
josiah NJ. Quincy chairman OF the Literary Bureau.
National Democratic Committee, 139 Fifth.ave, n. Y.
Dear Sir: Herewith please find fifty dollars (s5o) This
money you gave of the National Democratic
Committee be expended by in sending through the
nail number OF circular letters which 1t hoped
would be effective In the OF bringing money into the
Democratic campaign fund. 1 return this money be-
have decided support the Republican National
ticket
have concluded to give my support in the direc-
tion indicated only after much hesitation Never befoN
have aided TO elect Republican Presidential candidate
On the contrary, have at all times endeavored to make
myself particularly active in the way OF assisting 10 de-
feat the political aspirations Of oil Republicans. assume
my present position somewhat unwngy, for opposed as
l policy OF Protection, believe that the Demo-
cratic by the carrying out Of principles annunciaed
in Mr.. Ceveand's tariff Of 1858 would be able
TO benefit the country. The fact that negroes were In
persona grata In the Democratic party has
haQ Dut llttle influence Win me- haJ only
few years would pass before my people would be
treated by the Democratic party with the justice and
consideration as other people are treated. The nberui
policy Of Mr. Clevelands administration far negroes
concerned strengthened this belief The dispos
tion shown by the Northern Democracy to recognize the
Aro-Amerca furnished quantity which cal
culacd To into thinking, that party needs
would be effective the Southern wing OF the Demo
cratic party the expedency Of culuvating friendly
political relations with Afro-Americans.
With these acting incentive 1 have with
voice and pen endeavored TO make my people
In the face OF every discouagng event continued to
hope. Senator Gordon's efforts to have my people ex
paoiated grieved me- Yet still hoped The Mississippi
disfranchising act astoundcd Yet still hoped Sem
Morgan's public utterance that the nggers In his
State (Alabama) had but few privileges, would the
Democratic whites permit them more, alarmed me. YET
| still hoped. Frequent ynchngs, burning at stakes
and other inhuman crimes committed against black men
aud matters Of common report They occurred
communities dominated by the Democratic party; yet
disposed blame that party for their
contrary firmly believed that given the oppor.
unty, the Democratic party would hasten to put itself
record being anxious TO put period TO these unlawful
happenings Expecting TO expression Of this kind
made attended the National Democratic Convention ao
Chicago in June and there appearing before the National
Democratic Committee Resolutions solicited them,
making my appeal in the most earnest fashion, TO insert
plank in the National Democratic platform TO the effect
that the Democratic party pledged to the bringing TO
end Southern cruelties This honorable Committee
fused insert this plank the given being that In
all probability it would give offence the Southern wing
OF the Democratic party.
did not discouraged. however, after this
rebuff l had such confidence In Mr.. Cleveland thot
imagined greater than his party. would, Gle ted,
powerful he would be willing interfere for the
protection Of Southern blacks.
Since the opening campaign 1 have watched the
movements Of the Democratic lenders with intelligent
anxiety. When Charles A. Dana began his negrodomt.
nation crusade, / became indignant. looked upon HIS
effort high handed, upscputus endeavor 10 deprtvs
my people Of their rights given TO them by the Consttt-
ton Of the country OF which they citizens. called
Chairman Harrys attention the fact that Nr Danas
attitude unfortunate in that it would prevent any
self.respecting negro from supporting the Democratic
National ticket Mr. Farrity said that he saw the truth
OF my anJ he admitted ;hat it would ts tncut
negro support for the Democratic Presidential
candidates while preaching negrodo doctrine, yet
there nothing that could be dom because Mt Dana
was independent any influence the National Committee
could bring to bear.
Mr. Harrty expressing himself this manner, l wss
led TO believe that Danas remarks in oppositio" n my
people were as Objectionable the Democratic Natono
Committee as they Democratic negroes There.
fore you will wonder that much astonished when
became aware that the National Democratic Committee
had invited Dana write pamphlet dealing with
Bill domination, that IL might be
used a campaign document
without entering into discussion Of the question OF
negro domination IL is enough for 10 state that this
unfortunate quantity being made issue by the Demo-
cratic lary nouce Mr.. Stevcnson's speeches. the in
tation the National Committee tO Mr. Dana 70 wriH
pamphlet above referred TO- and the oer utterances OF
Mr. Cleveland becomes impossible for conscientious
neco without being false to himself and people, to sup
port the National Democratic ticket.
Having this conclusion. consider II my duty
to return You the money before mentioned
Eecrctting that loyslty which 1 my people
foses oppose Mr.. Clevclands election, remain,
HENRY +. DOWNING.