George T. Downing to Frederick Douglass, March 19, 1877

GEORGE T. DOWNING TO FREDERICK DOUGLASS

New Port, [R.I.] 19 March 1877.

FRIEND DOUGLASS,

It is not necessary for me to say to you, I was glad to hear of the confirmation of your appointment as United States Marshall for the District of Colombia; for you know what my feelings would be, not only as to the act in its effect in winning respect for the Race, but in view of our personal

relations, I did not deem it necessary to write to you, and say—“stick”—, when I heard the remark; your name would not be withdrawn unless with your approval.

There is method in the movements of the new administration. Rutherford B Hayes had to encounter difficulties on the new Role he has taken upon himself: he is acting with good judgment. It has been decided upon to make certain actions with the hope of moving the South, expecting to at least divide it; its strength has been in the unity of its white element.^{1To secure the presidency during the close, controversial 1876 election, the Republican party compromised with southern Democrats concerning Reconstruction policies. As president, Hayes reiterated his support for “home rule,” which involved removing federal troops from Louisiana and South Carolina, thus ending military Reconstruction in the South. The implications of removing soldiers and abandoning carpetbagger governments meant Democrats would once again control those southern states while predictably ostracizing and intimidating African Americans. Hayes sought to restore harmony between the North and South as well as to forge a Republican party that could appeal to southern conservative whites. C. Vann Woodward, Reunion and Reaction: The Compromise of 1877 and the End of Reconstruction (1951; New York, 1991), 17; McFeely, Frederick Douglass, 299; Vincent P. De Santis, “President Hayes’s Southern Policy,” JSH, 21: 476–94 (November 1955).} It has seemed as though the colored element was to be disregarded. This will be true to some extent; yes; perforce; we will have to be subjects of general laws. For a time I know not how long; there will be a continuance of confusion and outrage, including murders in the South; unless the cultured brain of the section is allowed to come to the front, where its education, means and centuries of domination not many would place it, especially as it is in contact with a class that is poor, Yes! Landless, illiterate and that has been reared to absolute submission. It is a fact chilling to look upon, but it must be made to have an inspirating effect; the class will have to abide its time, get means, apply itself, struggle hard, become educated and skilled more in the sciences of government than fourteen years of freedom^{2Downing dates African American freedom to the Emancipation Proclamation, which came into effect on 1 January 1863.} admits of, it must teach its children to aspire, and play as much as possible, themselves the part of men. The administration would not rush the colored man; but it had to yield to the South for a policy, to satisfy intelligent Colored men and their earnest friends, it had to do at least what it has done in your case, it really has honored itself in having done what it has done in your case: you deserve more at its hands: it must do more to others.

Every thing that has occurred in Washington in connection with your nomination and confirmation may be part of a studied plan or policy; even ignorant and predjudiced colored men may have been made to play their part, that it may be quoted that the colored men of Washington know their place; you cold men of the South know yours, This is the most ignoble of all the parts that come to my mind. But thanks to progress, we have gained a glorious step. Please reread the letter of mine you criticized some time ago in “The New Era,”^{3Frederick Douglass and George T. Downing had a public falling-out in the columns of the New National Era during the summer of 1871 over African American loyalty to the Republican party in the face of the lack of patronage given to members of their race. NNE, 8, 22 June, 13 July 1871.}

Kindly

Yours &c

GEO T DOWNING

ALS: General Correspondence File, reel 3, frames 39–40, FD Papers, DLC.

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