Year: 1876

rev. Sffds Cuftis, Oh COnCOru, N. H.,
wrote to Rev. John w. Dunjee. lead
ing colored clergyman of Richmond,
Va, urging him not to vote for Tilden
and Hendricks. The letter was of the
most bigoted and partisan character
Rev. Mr.. Dunjee replied in the calm,
dignified letter which follows:


RICHMOND, Aug. 81, 1876.


Dear Brother Curtis Yours of July
26th is before me, asking me about ru-
mors which you have heard in regard
to my going over to the "rebels. -
First, would state that have tried to
fulfill my whole duty in my work here,
and have not at any time neglected my
mission duties. No man is more inter-
ested in all that pertains to the best well
fare of the colored people and their
highest development. So, have tried
TO conduct myself and teach ny people
that il is their Christian duty to make
friends with the white people of the
South, among whom they live. This
can be done without sacrificing anv
principle of manhood; in fact, the South
ern people do not ask the colored peo-
pie to compromise a single right. But
we who live here see the great impor-
tance of a full and manly reconciliation
between the two races.


This can be done by dividing the col
ored vote between the two parties. As
soon as it is thus divided they will cease
to be an object of ostracism and bone
Of contention. Both parties will then
treat them with due respect. Take Vir-
ginia, and the white people Of this State
are as friendly to the colored people a.
they are anywhere. in America: the
most friendly feelings exist between the
two races. What we, who are interes-
ted IN the great cause OF humanity, are
endeavoring to do, is TO break down all
color lines, and altogether forget slave
ry. the war and the past, and go on to
higher sttainmcnts and abroader Chris
tian manhood. lbelieve the W hite peo-
pie of the South are true in the profess
sions they are now making. They do
not desire any mere slavery; they will
stand by all the results of the war; they
are in the Union to go out no more for
ever. They are laboring nobly in our
State for public education, without re-
gard to color. I have every right in
Richmond that | would have in Boston.
They are doing all for the colored peo-
pie in benevolent way they can do
You know the late war laid its wither-
ing hand upon the South, and there are
many poor people both white and black
notwithstanding there are MANY of the
white gentlemen who have contributed
largely to the mission work for people in
Richmond and other places in the South,
There are $1,000 colored people in this
city depending on the whites for the
bread they. eat. Many poor people of
color would starve to death but for the
kindness of the whites in giving them
shelter and food. You can have no
idea of the true condition of things here.
Now, in face of all these facts, | do no,
think the white people of the South
very dangerous rebels. Just a word
about some OF our troubles. You have
heard much talk about " carpet-bag-
gers"


You have no idea the amount of trou-
bic these men have given us. Men
who were OF the worst characters in the
North, who were from the lowest haunts
Of New York and Boston, men a. bad
as crime could make them, who were
negro-haters at the North, have come
South and taken advantage Of the ig-
norance of the colored people, and have
been elevated 20 places OF high trust in
our State Governments, for the sole
purpose on their part TO plumber the
public. This same class of men have
arrayed the colored people against the
whites for political purposes, and, when
trouble comes, desert them. All the
mobs which We had in the South have
been gotten up by these bad men.
know We have soeae lawless white men
here, but the good people of the SoFth
must not be blamed for their acts. You
have them at the North with YOU.


This wild and truitless contest has
been going on Tor years, and who are
the suierers' The co,nred men, being
the weaker party. always lose ground,
! and must ut last 20 to the walLif the figh,
Is kept up. know you in New Hamp-
shire may not see this matter rs do,
but | tell you that the negroes Of the
South mast go under if the policy Of the
la,t few years is to be continued. Now,
IL the Home Missions Board discharges
me for these sentiments, | regret il, but
cannot yield my honest convictions.
am sorry | cannot make them see the
sightfulness Of my position. You ash
| me what the persons who have ccntri.