Archive for July, 2022

“Whyte and Black.” Cecil Whig editorial on Maryland US Senator William Pinkney Whyte’s vote against nomination of Frederick Douglass for US Marshal of the District of Columbia

Posted by jmullerwashingtonsyndicate in Uncategorized on July 14, 2022

Although Frederick Douglass counted mayors, governors, state delegates, state senators, postmaster generals, US Representatives, US Senators, American Presidents, cabinet secretaries, Supreme Court justices and judges among his public friends and allies there were many officials who opposed Douglass on the public record.

William P. Whyte voted against the confirmation of Frederick Douglass for U.S. Marshal of D.C. in March 1877.

During the March 1877 confirmation process in the United States Senate for the nomination of Frederick Douglass as United States Marshal of the District of Columbia Maryland Senator William Pinkney Whyte voted against the nomination after making remarks explaining his vote.

Held in executive session no transcript exists of the floor debate during Douglass’ confirmation, however several newspaper reports detail those who supported and those who opposed.

Taking umbrage to Senator Whyte’s vote and personal “narrow-minded prejudice” against Marshal Douglass the Cecil Whig‘s editorial is deliberative of an Eastern Shore press corps which regularly reported favorably on its native son. The paper’s defense of Douglass is indicative of the public evolution the former Eastern Shore bondsman underwent during his half-century public career.

Home is where the heart is. In singling out Senator Whyte’s protest vote against Frederick Douglass for Marshal as contrary to the expectations of a representative Maryland gentleman, the Cecil Whig confirmed its liberality in feeling and composition by uplifting Douglass as a representative Eastern Shoreman.

The Cecil Whig‘s editorial in support of Douglass is reflective of a press corps in Washington City, Baltimore and the Eastern Shore that closely chronicled the political and personal life of Frederick Douglass and his family. Over the years of informal survey, I’ve seen a couple dozen local editorials devoted to Douglass with the majority being favorable. The less favorable editorials often from newspapers in Southern Maryland.

Furthermore, the Delmarva-born Washington City correspondent George Alfred Townsend regularly commented affirmatively on Douglass in his daily political and social reportage

WHYTE AND BLACK.

Although, as Mrs. Malaprops says, “comparisons are oderous (sic),” yet the contrast between liberality and narrowness has not been recently been more clearly drawn than in the debate in the Senate on Monday last, on the confirmation of Frederick Douglass as Marshal of the District of Columbia. It was no particular surprise to any one, of course, that Mr. W. Pinckney Whyte should oppose the nomination and that upon a very simple principle. We remember having heard a very sensible Democrat once remark, that the only colored man in the world he could not tolerate, was the negro that the Lord had blessed with more brain that himself. We, therefore, accord the honorable Senator from Maryland all sincerity, when he disclaims any animosity to Douglass on the ground of color. The objections was purely an individual one. He praises in learning and ability of a man once a Talbot county slave, but the stigma of former condition outweighs all consideration of present personal attainment. It was altogether like Wm. Pinckney Whyte,

On the other hand, to the credit of a true-hearted Southerner, General Morgan, of Alabama, showed himself superior to, and above the narrow-minded prejudice of his Maryland associate. “He intended, in all his acts to show himself the representative of all men, white and black. If he should go home and tell the colored people of his State, that he had voted against Douglass for this reason, they would laugh at him.”

Are Maryland Democrats less sensible than those of Alabama? If not, what emotions does Mr. Whyte’s act excite?

1877, Cecil Whig, Newspapers, US Marshal, US Senate, William Pinkney Whyte

Lunch & Learn: “Frederick Douglass, Marylander or Washingtonian?” -> July 14, 2022 @ 1PM (Online event; Enoch Pratt Free Library)

Posted by jmullerwashingtonsyndicate in Uncategorized on July 14, 2022

Title: Frederick Douglass, Marylander or Washingtonian?

Date and Time: July 14, 2022, 1:00pm
Presenters: Vince Vaise, Chief of Visitor Services, National Parks Service and Kevin Bryant, Park Guide

Location: Online Event
Description:
Join Kevin Bryant, Park Guide and Vince Vaise Program Manager for Visitor Services, National Capital Parks-East, for a 40-minute talk focusing on Douglass’s Maryland origins. Born enslaved on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, he spent his formative years near the Miles River and in Baltimore City. He escaped enslavement by using the most modern form of technology of his age – the railroad. Once free, Douglass spent the remainder of his years advocating for human rights but never severed his connection with his native state. Moving to Washington, DC in 1876 opened a new chapter in Douglass’s life and he spent the last 17 years of his life at Cedar Hill, today, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.

This program will highlight Douglass’s Maryland origins, his references to his native state throughout his life and conclude with his activities in Washington, DC. The program concludes with Douglass’s comments regarding the Emancipation statue in Lincoln Park and its historical allegories.

LINK: Enoch Pratt Free Library

Enoch Pratt Library, FDNHS, Virtual presentation