The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-09-07
Political Meeting at Belton &C.
The Anderson Inteuigencer gives the following
account of the recent meeting at Bolton:

The Anderson hteuigencer gives the following
| account of the recent meeting at Bolton:
| In accordance with previous notice given in this
| paper, large number OF citizens Assembled al
Bolton on Friday last, Goth ult We were moi pres.
ent and are indebted to others for the information
which follows.
Maj John B. Moore was the first sneaker intro
duced He announced himself in favor Of the
Convention; declared the interests Of botb races
were identical, and that it was their duty TO treat
each other kindly; told the freedmen that their
white neghbors were their best and only friends
denounced in strong terms all secret poiiticaI So
cieties; admonished all classes to avoid conflict
ofraces, and assured the freedmen that arrayinp
black mans party against the whites would prove
disastrous to them.
| Col W. D. Wilkes next addressed the audience
in lengthy speech, mainly directed 10 the freed
mec and entering fully into their history az race
aid introduction into this country. giving them
praise for past behavior put especially during the
of the South were not only willing, but anxious to
promote their welfare. He favored the State Con
vention, and declared that, while some good SOL
diers were opposed to it, he knew that the great
est opposition came from men who were in soft
places during the late war.
Hon. j. s. Murray was then introduced and in
| an able manner explained the object of govern
ment, and demonstrated the necessity for stable
government at this time. He then gave brief
history OF the G aS OF slavery and Of the
all we're citizens Of common country, that God
had cast our lot together, and that we must live
together either as friends or enemies he tnen
warned the colored people against emissaries from
designs are destructive Of their best interests.
He also urged them not to identify themselves
with any party showed that the Republican party
Disseminated in favor Of white labor, bv heavily
taxing cotton, which was unjust and oppressive
The speaker explained their civil and nolticai
rights, and declared that when these were secured
to them, their destiny would be in their own
hands, and that, with industry, economy. educa-
ton and moderation, bright career was before
them, but if they recklessly made the white man
an enemy and brought about a. conflict OF races
their destruction was certain
Hon. j. L. Or vas then introduced, and ad-
dressing the whites, advised them to register
and vote for Convention, as itwas folly and mad
ness to attempt to defeat that object There were
GO, 900 negro voters, against $1,000 white, and as
black man, it could not be expected that one Of
them would vote against 1t. BE then admonished
the freedmen that they must be Industrious and
save their money, and reminded them that if they
attempt oppression Of the whites now while in tn Q
majority, it might be visited upon them in the fI1-
ent as no more negroes were to be brought to
this country. He disabused their minds Of the
idea that they would obtain lands from the Gov
ernment, andSshowed that this was not even de-
6lraDle upon their part. Inc Governor presented
every phase of the issues before the people with
great force and ability, and to the satisfaction Of
bis hearers. We regret that fuller notes Of his
speech are not at our command.
The regularly invited speakers having conclud-
ed, it was requested that ]. P, NJ Epping, Of
Charleston, be allowed to occupy the stand. That
gentleman made short speech, endorsing for
the most part the speech OF Governor Orr, but
advised the blacks to adhere to the Republican
party, and recommended to them the Union
League. He favored high taxes upon land, but
told the negroes they were to have no lands given
to them. He admonished them against conflict
Of races declaring that they would find so OOO, 900
whites against 1000 900 Of blacks, and that the
conflict would be short, and resultn their ext rmi
nation.
Wilson Cook, Of Greenville and Elias Canady, OF
this village, both freedmen, also made speeches.
We learn that Cook told the negroes they were to
have no lands given to them, and that confscation
would work to- the detriment Of their race. 1t
would be the means Of inaug uguratng war Of
races and in that event, he would not live in
the State, though he was given thousand acres
Of land.
From all that we can learn, the speakers in
dulged in plain talk, without exception. Indeed,
we are assured that the discussion was OF that
character to allow no room for doubt as to the
opinions of both white and colored, and We trust
that the impressions made will be deep and last
ing, especially in regard to the result of those
extreme measures referred to by every one Of the
speakers.