Local Politics.

Meeting of Colored Republicans.

A great gathering at Douglass Institute-- Speech of Hon. Frederick Douglass-- The issues of the Campaign ably discussed.

From the Baltimore American, 1876.

The colored Republican voters held a ratification meeting last night at the Douglass Institute, which was numerously attended and most enthusiastic. It having been announced that the Hon. Fred. Douglass would be heard, many prominent Republican citizens were present, and when the proceedings began every inch of space was occupied, and there was not even standing room.

The President in a few appropriate words, introduced the Hon. Frederick Douglass to the audience. On stepping forward he was greeted with the most rapturous applause, and after it had subsided spoke substantially as follows:--

I am embarrassed by the eulogistic manner in which the Chairman has spoken of me, and also by another cause. When in the North, and when my people were in bondage, I could go into schools and halls and plead their cause and tell the story of their wrongs; and I could tell them, too, with feeling, for from the day on which I snapped my own chains and struck for freedom, I registered in my soul a solemn vow that whatever talent, whatever feeling, whatever power of persuasion I could bring into play, I would use in the interest of my down-trodden people. Then when I spoke there were objections to answer, wrongs to expose, meanness to denounce, hypocrisy to unmask, and resistance to overcome. I knew that I would be doubted, that my statements would be denied or branded as misrepresentations, and this counter feeling stirred me up to eloquence, but now, when all is fair, when the sun is shining, when the victory is won and the banner waving, what is there left to be said? No doubt the Democrats honestly believe the Republicans are ungenerous, a little mean and a good deal selfish. They have