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Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback Autograph Letter Signed. ...
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Description
"The fate of the Negro is in his own hands and if he fails to use all the power at his command in the primary work of his party, his opportunity for advancement will have gone perhaps forever... We must buckle on our answer and with renewed effort address ourselves to the great work before us."
Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback Autograph Letter Signed.
Two pages of one leaf, 7.5" x 9.625", Washington, D.C.; January 31,
1876. A fascinating letter from P.B.S. Pinchback to Secretary of
the Cincinnati Lincoln Memorial Club, Peter H. Clarke, concerning
African Americans' political and social advancement and his own
struggle in the U.S. Senate. Pinchback became the first African
American to serve as governor after Henry C. Warmouth was impeached
in 1872. Pinchback, who was lieutenant governor, stepped in as
acting governor from December 9, 1872 to January 13, 1873. However,
the 1870s marked the rise of the Democratic party after a period of
political advancement for African Americans, and this downturn
played out elaborately in the controversial election of 1872 in
Louisiana when Republican legislators elected Pinchback to the
Senate. At the time of this letter, over three years later, he was
still waiting for his Senate confirmation and comments on how the
prolonged debate has affected his health. Despite the hardship he
had endured over the past five years, he writes that he remains
committed to "the great work before us." He writes, in
part:"...Am sorry to learn that Pennsylvania is opposed to the place of meeting of the Convention, but feel that it is too late now to think of a change. The south will no doubt be there in force and after all there is where we need most to work. If we can succeed in having the colored people of that section work in harmony much may be accomplished... The fate of the Negro is in his own hands and if he fails to use all the power at his command in the primary work of his party, his opportunity for advancement will have gone perhaps forever. The objection of any one state or even a dozen states while to be regretted should not make us bolt or falter at this critical crisis in our political history. We must buckle on our answer and with renewed effort address ourselves to the great work before us. I have made several attempts to prepare a response to the admirable task proposed for the approaching meeting of the Lincoln Club and find it impossible to do so in such manner as I desired owning to the great pressure upon my nervous system resulting from the anxiety and suspense in which I am kept during the pudency of the matter before the Senate. I bet therefore that the Club will excuse me and select some other person..." Signed, "Pinchback".
Unfortunately, on March 8, 1876 the Senate voted 32 to 29 against confirming Pinchback. The vote signaled the beginning of the Reconstruction's slow decline. The letter is written on United States Senate letterhead and is accompanied by the original transmittal envelope.
Condition: Usual folds; just starting to split at upper vertical folds. Expected wear and soiling to envelope.
Auction Info
2022 October 19 Historic African Americana Signature® Auction #6248 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
October, 2022
19th
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
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