Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 January 1885 — THE NEGROES. [ARTICLE]

THE NEGROES.

Got. Headricks Says the Constitutional J Amendments Cannot and Win Net Be Disturbed. Some time sinoe Edwin F. Horn, editor of the Colored World, at Indianapolis, addressed a letter to Vice President-elect Hendricks, asking him what would be the probable policy of the incoming administration toward the colored people. Mr. Hendricks sent a reply, which has been madapublio. He says: You ask me what will be the probable policy of the Incoming administration toward the colored people. The Inquiry seems to be made that the answer may allay the fears of many who think the colored man will be shorn of many rights guaranteed to him In common with all citizens, and that he will gradually be subjected to a species of slavery. The convention that nominated the National Democratic ticket adopted a platform for the candidates to stand upon that so clearly and fully stated the principles «id purposes of the party that no voter could be mistaken or misled In casting hie ballot. It has never occurred to me to question that the success of the party would be followed by the adoption and maintenance of the principles and purposes so declared. The following is a paragraph of the platform: “Asserting the equality of all men before the law, we hold that It Is the duty of the Government in Its dealings with the people to mete out equal and exact justice to aH citizens, of whatever nativity, race, color, or persuasion—religious or political." Can I use language that will give stronger assurance to the colored people that their rights, legal and constitutional, will be respected ana upheld by the Incoming administration? This pledge was made by the greatest political convention ever held in the country—perhaps In the world. That convention represented more than half the people. But stronger and firmer than the pledge of any party are the constitutional provisions that prohibit slavery, confer citizenship, and guarantee equality of civil and political rights. These provisions have become a partof the machinery of organized society, and being in support of natural rights are practically Irrevocable. Whatever any of us may have thought,of the propriety of the adoption of the later constitutional amendments at the time and under the circumstanoes of their adoption, they are now tCL be regarded as a part of the fundamental law of the land, never to be questioned or disturbed. The liberty and citizenship of the colored man are held by the same right and guarantee as those of the white man, and oan no more be taken from him nor Impaired than they can be taken from the white man. I would not concede that a part or the-whole of the people could by any action or in any fond of law deprive me of my liberty, except for crime committed, or strip me of citizenship; sol regard the liberty and citizenship of the colored man as inviolable. It was a cruel thing at the late election to play upon the credulity of the colored people and anbject them to a groundless fear of a return to slavery, and thna control their action aa voters. I had occasion, some years since, to express my views upon the subject <ot “negro suffrage, and in that disonssion I said: “I am not able to see why the subject of negro suffrage should be discussed. It must be known to all that the late amendments will not be, cannot be, repealed. There is but the duty upon all to make the political power now held by the enfranchised race the cause of the least evil and of the greatest possible good to the country. The negro la now free, and Is the equal of the white man In respect to his civil and political rights. He must now make his ewn contest for position and power. By his own conduct And success he will be judged. It will be unfortunate for him it he shall rely upon political sympathy for position rather than upon duties well and intelligently discharged. Everywhere the white race should help him, but his reliance must mainly be upon himself.” I am very respectfully yours, i

T. A. HENDRICKS.