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Gerrit Smith Broadside and Pamphlet Collection

Criticism of N.Y. Tribune on Gerrit Smith.

Smith, Gerrit, 1797-1874.

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This digitization project was supported by Regional Bibliographic Databases and Interlibrary Resources Sharing Program funds, awarded by the New York State Library.

Call number: Smith 568

CRITICISM OF N.Y. TRIBUNE ON GERRIT SMITH.

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PETERBORO August 9 1872.

Mr. EVERETT BROWN, Peterboro,

DEAR Sir

I thank you for calling my attention to a charge in the N.Y. Tribune of inconsistency on my part. It reports me (I doubt not correctly) as having said, June 25 1868,

"I, however, expect to vote for Grant and Colfax. I like them both; and, in the main, I like the platform on which they stand. Nevertheless, if contrary to my expectation, the Democratic shall have the wisdom to nominate the Chief Justice, and along with him a gentleman of similar views and spirit - a gentleman honest toward the nation's creditors and toward the negro - I shall prefer to vote for the Democratic candidates."

Then the Tribune adds:

"Mr. Smith was willing to go over to the Democrats if they would give him a good satisfactory candidate; in 1872 he exclaims: 'By all that is abhorrent in oppression and cruelty and murder, the Democratic Party must be kept out of power.'"

Who was Chief Justice Chase, that I should prefer to vote for him ? He lead been my fellow-laborer in the great work of my life - the work of contributing to the abolition of slavery. He had been for nearly a quarter of a century my intimate and much-loved friend. Perhaps, I was foolish in being willing to accept each him at the hands of the Democratic Party. Nevertheless, I think that every man of heart will, in the light of my relations to the Chief Justice, forgive the folly.

Does it follow that, to be consistent with this my position in 1868, I must in 1872 accept Mr. Greeley also at the hands of this bad Party? I think not -

First, because Mr. Greeley is not Mr. Chase, and has not the clams to my vote, which I believed Mr. Chase had. Great is my respect for Mr. Greeley. Often have I spent an hour or two in listening to his instructive conservation - instructive on whatever subject. For he is one of the few inert, who know every thing. And his conversation was as pure as it was enlightening. Now and then I see that he is called a passionate and profane man, and, most absurdly, "a free lover." In none of my numerous interviews with him has he been other than well-tempered, chaste, and free from profanity. Moreover, in all these interviews his deep and broad benevolence - his warm desire for the elevation and happiness of the human family - was conspicuous. Still Mr. Greeley and I never came into that intimacy with each other, which we probably should have come into, had he, like the Chief Justice, been by my side in what I have here called the great work of my life. So far, however, was he from taking part in this work, as to be the most effective, if not indeed the most vindictive and unrelenting, of all the opponents of the abolitionists. I am truly sorry that this criticism of the Tribune upon myself occasions the recalling of Mr. Greeley's unmeasured and malignant abuse of the abolitionists, at the time Henry Clay, his life-long idol, lost his election. But let me not do the least injustice to Mr. Greeley. I acknowledge that, on many collateral questions, the abolitionists had the help of his able and marvellously fruitful pen. He, always, contended for the right of the colored men of our own State to the ballot. He was, always, for doing them full justice. Never did he fail to oppose the extension of slavery. But in the direct work of abolishing it be took no part, He never joined the abolitionists. I say this, however, not to bring discredit upon Mr. Greeley. (He came about as near to us odious abolitionists as did the great body of the wise and good men of the land. All, who would husband their reputation - all to whose aims and interests the popular favor was indispensable - quite naturally fought shy of us.) I say it simply to show that there is no inconsistency in my declining to vote for Mr. Greeley and yet being willing to vote for my fellow abolitionist.

My first argument for not feeling bound in consistency to accept Mr. Greeley as well as Mr. Chase at the hands

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of the Democratic Party - viz. that Mr. Greeley is not Mr. Chase - I need dwell on no longer. I pass on to my second argument - which is that the Democratic Party of 1872 is not the Democratic Party of 1868. This infamous Party is as much worse than it was four years ago, as its sympathy with and practice of Kukluxism since that time would naturally and necessarily make it. Within these four years Kukluxism has ripened into the most revolting crime the world ever saw; and the Democratic Party; which is the prompter and the very soul of Kukluxism, has ripened into the most depraved crime the world ever saw. Within this time thousands of persons, simply because they were not Democrats, have been shot or hung: many dragged from their beds and whipped : not a few of the men mutilated, and not a few of the women suffering the greatest outrage which woman can suffer. Say not that I am wrong in charging all this upon the Democratic Party. Kukluxism is the Democratic Party, and the Democratic Party is Kukluxism. Cheerfully would we all admit to the world's esteem the Democracy of former times. But modern Democracy is hell-born. Abundantly did it prove its origin by its treason in our civil war. Far more abundantly has it proved it by following up that treason, as indeed it was entirely natural and consistent it should do, by the far more foul and murderous crime of Kukluxism. Who, that observes the spirit of the Democratic Party, as it is revealed in its purposes and policies, and especially in its whole press, does not hold this Party responsible for Kukluxism? Who, that glances at the solid votes, which this Party cast, even in the last session of Congress, against all legislation to protect the poor innocent helpless objects of its Kuklux rage, and against the Civil Rights Bill also, can tail to identify Democracy with Kukluxism?

I may have been wrong - I probably was wrong, - in my willingness in 1868 to help the Democratic Party elect even an old abolitionist. But a very dull scholar should I prove myself to be if, after all that the last four years have taught me of the "oppression, cruelty and murder" of the Kuklux Democratic Party, I should still consent to help that Party elect any man - be it even that oldest and worthiest of all abolitionists, WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON.

Very desirous am I that justice be done to woman, and that the land be relieved of its maddening and murderous dramshops. But my first duty is to my colored brothers and sisters. Pronounced opinions have I on many subjects in the realm of political economy. Nevertheless, all these subjects weigh with we but as "the small dust of the balance," so long as I see a great Party, encouraged by its disaffected recruits from another Party, continuing to strike at the liberty and life of the black man.

It is true that Kukluxism is no longer rampant and defiant. It is quiet now nearly every where - but simply because nearly every where it is under Grant's iron hand. Let, however, that hand be withdrawn - and then whether it be Greeley or any other Democratic candidate who shall succeed Grant, the South will again be a hell of horrors. What nonsense, that Greeley will if elected, change the character of the Democratic Party ! That Party will change him. It has already changed him. His N.Y. Tribune has already become a Democratic newspaper. Both it and he are already construed to advocate the Democratic interpretation of "State Rights:" and by that interpretation the white men of a State have the right to do what they will with the black men of the State. My dread, however, of Greeley is not so much that he will become President, as that by availing themselves of the power of his name over many sleepy and sleazy Republicans and over not a few self-seeking Republicans, the Democrats will be able to obtain a majority in the House of Representa-

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tives. A similar change in the Senate would soon follow. And then our anti-slavery work, with all its cost of treasure and tears and blood, will be undone, and our freedmen be surrendered to their old oppressors.

Black men, be not deceived by this cry for "reconciliation !" Your old oppressors will never be reconciled to you, nor should you be reconciled to them, until they shall have quit the abominable Democratic Party and taken their stand with the Republican Party for all your rights. Oh you Democratic knaves and Republican dupes, who dwell on the duty and delight of "reconciliation" between the Democratic Party and the negro. Some profane interpreters of Scripture wittily say that the only condition of which "the lion shall lie clown with the lamb" is that the lamb shall be inside of the lion. However that may be, it is not wit but sober truth that the only condition on which the Democratic Party will consent to be reconciled to the negro is that the negro shall surrender all his rights, and accept in their stead such gifts and privileges as the white man shall please to dole out to him.

Nothing is more cruelly and murderously deceptive than this cant about "reconciliation." Heaven forbid that any black men shall be carried away by it ! That miserable man Voorhees of Indiana has also come out for Greeley and "reconciliation." As he still cries out against letting the black man vote, we can learn from him what is the Democratic meaning of Greeley and "reconciliation" with the negro.

Black men, be not deceived by this cry that Grant is a Democrat and Greeley a Republican ! It was Grant's misfortune, as it was the misfortune, of many wise and good men, to be brought up in the Democratic Party. But he quit it in time to be your savior and the savior of his country. He is now at the head of the Republican Party - of that Party, which broke your chains, and which stands up for all your rights. On the other hand, Greeley who was a Republican, is now at the head of the Democratic Party - of that Party, which has ever been your enemy ; which kept you in slavery as long as it could; and which would rejoice to bring you back into slavery.

Let it not be supposed that, in speaking of the Democratic Party; I include in it all who were once in it. Many have quit it forever, not a few of whom, by the way, have proved themselves to be amongst the most eminent and useful servants of the country. General Dix sounded the very key-note of the War when he

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threatened death to the traitor, who should pull down the American flag. General Butler's services in Mary land and New Orleans, were above all price. Judge Orr of South Carolina, whom for nearly twenty years, I have felt honored in numbering amongst my friends, is, in his advocacy of Grant and Wilson, setting an example of wisdom, magnanimity and patriotism as happy as it is wide in its influence.

Whilst I am writing, the gratifying news comes up from North Carolina. Very gratifying is it, because

1st Our success in that State will promote our success in the coming Elections in the other States.

2d. From the vote in North Carolina we may safely argue that the black vote of the country will be almost solid for the Republican Party. Indeed, I have yet to hear a blade man say that he will vote against it. It is true I see that two or three such have turned up in the newspapers. Better that these unnatural men - that these worst enemies of their race - had not been born than be guilty (for however tempting a price) of such treachery to their race and such ingratitude to their benefactors. It is true, too, that a few of the black men in the South are asking me, and doubtless other old abolitionists also, to advise them how to vote. The poor fellows are oppressed by a sense of their slavery-begotten and slavery-enforced ignorance and incapacity to judge for themselves. Some of them are told by their deceivers that I have come out for Greeley - and this adds to their embarrassment and confusion. My advice to all, who so modestly distrust their own judgement, is to observe which way the Democrats and their old oppressors vote, to the end that they may themselves vote the other way. In this wise, they will have the superior intelligence of their enemies to guide them. For if the enlightened enemies of the black man vote for Greeley, how plainly does it follow that he should study his own safety in voting against Greeley!

3d. Very gratifying is the vote of the black men for the Republican Party, because it is a grateful and beautiful return to that Party for having put them in possession of the right to vote - and for leaving done this, too, in the face of the determined and incessant opposition of the Democratic Party.

Respectfully yours,

GERRIT SMITH.