To Sumner, regarding support of Grant over Greeley

Writing to Charles Sumner 0n August 3, 1872  — “Though I should be strongly induced by the friendship subsisting between us, to avoid taking a position antagonistical to your own, under ordinary circumstances, even if I deemed it erroneous, yet all personal considerations,  must be subordinated to the public welfare ….. you have spoken plainly, in utter condemnation of the President of the United States; and your advice to the whole  body of colored voters is, that they concentrate their suffrages upon a rival candidate in the person of Horace Greeley …. I propose to speak with equal plainness, and as earnestly, to counsel my colored countrymen not to follow your lead in this matter, but, as voters, to move unitedly for the re-election of President Grant….”  (Source: readinggarrisonsletters)