The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1867-05-23
Public &est;cg

in the Town Hall. We suppose there were
upwards OF three hundred persons present,
representing hotl, races very nearly equal
Is. W. i. McDowALL, Esq, WAS called
to the chair, and J. 4. ScnEocIl requested
to act as Secretary. Tie meeting was all
dressed by the Hon. JAS. CnEsSUT, Gen. J.
B. kEEsu.w aul Gen. JXo. D.. KENNEDY,
Rev. ". i. RAHpoLrn, OF Charleston, Color
cil) Rev. BnS. LawsoS, (eolorc') and JouS
l. CuGsEuT, (co!orcG).
The tone AMI temper Of the meeting appear
ell to be as gooi of could have been expected.
Sentiments CT peace and harmony were
heartily aprlau;le'l, and canior conp:ls us to
admit that extreme radical propositions met
with seemingly favorable reception. Gen.
cIEsNUT was as i'll former days, graceful,
dignihcd and impressive in his oratory, end
at times highly eloquent, notwithstanding
the Inherent embarrassment Of his position.
Gen. CuEsHrT said that he came 10 ac-
knowledge their compliment, and srcqucstcd
J
peace and amity, VIC hat! been one people, pur-
suing common purposes and objects, notwith-
standing the complete change made i'll our
former legal relations. Why has this becu?
because our interests are identical. We can
and ought to continue to be oncpcoplc in tho
future; if we live together at all, it must and
81, F,;cpIu YIN o,rpof 1.rn tornt hrr ~
as enemies, he had heard that they had been
sciunusly taught that the native white race in
this State was the colorc imam 5 natural worst
cncmy, and should be regarded by them with
suspicion, distruss and ani&osity. lie proceed
cl'o show in variety Of ways, and in u most
conclusive manner, that there was no grounti
for such assertions that under all the circunl-
stances to be their enemy, would be uEnatu-
raj. irrational ard without n caust; and there
fore next 20 impossible. Hc tLcn proceeded
to inquire il there was any reason why they
should be enemies TO the native white race Of
the South Vas it because We had once been
masters and tldcmin sefeitudc? 1fthis be
F11ic real cai;sc snd ifthc wrongs which had
| been done. their race must now be avenged,
they Iaust enlarge the indictment,,Sa and en-
brace much of the cviIzca earth France,
England and many; of .thcSNoftKern States
themselves. Thcseforthc nostIpaft brought
tue wild African, packed lilic7lefrings, across
the storm8 .oceali, and sold them to our an
ccstors,fcr gold. Let them share also your
distrust and aEimesity if such feeling be at all
necessary; but ii is not.
Was It because We had trcate ed them in an
uukind Or u!Gricndly manner sinccth period
of emancipation? Hc said, look TO the facts,
and judge for yourselves. Arcnot many, if
notmost ofus, now on tho verge Of ruin FROM
our cfTorts:to supply the wants of many ofyou
who now hear me-. No, there is really na
4 good cause for enmity between us; your true
policy is with the present and the future
You have friends both North and South
IIeadTised them to, throw away neither. If
the Northern man comes to live among you,
andiwill give you higher wages and better
rations and an easier place, go with him; ap-
ply the same rule to the Southern man; be-
fore long you will find out your friends. He
told them they had been made free by the
results Of the war, and that Congress had
endowed them with great privileges NC ac-
quicsce in them all. If he were freeman
| L.; IL tn, 10 c
of freedom, but being only a prisoner on pa
role he could wish them God speed in their
new career. Upon the manncri in which they
should use their new privileges, would de-
pend theip future prosperity. He cautioned
them to act with moderation, which was wis
dom and when the time came to elect good.
true, honest, intelligent men, whom they
know, TO represent them, and take care of
their rights under the law.
In the meantime, he urged them to stick
closely to their work, make provisions for
! this year and the next, they knew well how
much they needed, without this they would
never be independent. Liberty was one
],thing, independence another. They might be
as free as air, but without substance, or the
means of subsistence they would become al
go as thin rs air.
! He advised them also not to commit them
selves hurricdly to any party on questions OF
federal policy, to keep their minds open and
seek information from MI quarters, to sign
no pledges to any party, for as soon as they
did they became bondncn, ceased to be
free in the capacity to think for themselves
and act according to their convictions. Hc ex-
planned to them the reasons why the Radical
, party were so anxious to commit them now.
He advised them to reconstruct the State first
and than turn their attention to questions Of
federal politics; he explained to them thatthcir
interest in the! main, would be agricultural,
which would best be subscrvcd by economy,in
the Governments by low duties, moderate tax