The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-09-05
i" NEGRO SUPREMACY"

ringing the changes on tne ABOVE pet phrase.
They are not altogether consistent, however,
in their TRADES. First, they say, the Congress
sonal Reconstruction plan must negroize u
IA word of latest coinage) the South. The
Radicals foster negro supremacy" 'Negroes
will fill all the Offices" etc., etc.; and leaders,
long and learned, are launched forth to prove
these propositions. Strange to say, however,
these political philosophers fail to be convinced
by their own logic; at least, so it would ap-
pear, for every few days these same writers
deem it necessary to minister few words of
comfort to their readers, TO demonstrate by
figures "that cannot lie," that the white peo-
pie of the Southern States are to the negroes
as ten to seven; that the former possess all
the intelligence, education, refinement, and
property, and all the influence these posses
sions can confer-a proposition we are not
disposed to deny, as we believe it to be en-
tirely in accordance with fact. But we can
not help being somewhat surprised at this
curious alienation of argument. It does not
seem altogether fair to us that the same advo-
Gates should monopolize the whole question,
and argue both sides at once, even though it
is done on alternate days. The Reconstruction
Act either raises the negro, civilizes and en-
lightens him, and renders him a formidable
arm of strength in the land, or it does not.
If it does, let US acknowledge the fact, and take
our measures accordingly. If it does not,
why the never-ending refrain of "negro su-
premacy ?"
b What are the facts of the case We find,
according to the most authentic figures, in the
ten Southern States under consideration,
white voting population of 1,0l6,5l0, against
747, 345 male blacks of voting age. Putting
the number of the disfranchised at about TO-
000-seven per cent. of the number of voters,
which, in our opinion, is considerably over the
mark, we still have $4,000, or majority of
whites of about 100000.
South Carolina and Mississippi are the only
two States in which the negroes at present
have majority in South Carolina a majority
of 1887 and in Mississippi 1861. If we de-
duct seven per cent. from the aggregate of
$40, less 4SlG, equals 63,994 whites, against
6,GS7 blacks, giving the latter majority of
22, sos; and in Mississippi, by similar calcu-
lation S4,2O9, less 1894 (disfrauchlsed) equals
1876 whites, against $3.50 blacks, giving
the latter majority of 20,555.
At the very worst then-supposing all the
negroes to vote, and the present disabilities to
remain unrepealed, there would in South Caro-
ina be majority of negro voters of 22,69S.
Now surely our friends place low estimate on
The intelligence, wealth, education, knowledge
Of affairs, and every other advantage conferred
upon the whites by long years Of civilization
md free government, if they consider, that all
hese resources are inadequate to counterbal-
.nce the votes of 22,693 ignorant negroes
Moreover, it should be remembered, that the
white population constantly increases, first,
~ natural growth, secondly by immigration
rom the North and thirdly by immigration
rom Europe. Besides, it may be mentioned,
hat with every year the number of the dis
ranchiscd will diminish, and that of the en-
ranchised increase. The blacks on the other |
land, it is ascertained, are decreasing in num-
,ers. l. The mortuary reports from every |
ection of the country, since the close of the
var, have shown that the mortality among |
he colored race is larger than among the
whites. 2. No increase Of negroes is to be
certainly not in South Carolina,
rom immigration; while 3, we may conf
emily count upon steady tide Of emigration
f colored people from this State to other
tates, further South and West. Two years
erhaps will SUFFICE to restore the numerical
quality of the two races in this State. Then
Thy all this outcry about negro supremacy
he preponderance of the colored element is,
owevcr, even now more apparent than real.
here is no reason whatever for assuming that
be colored vote will be unit on any ques-
ion at issue, or on any candidate. On the con-
rary, any one, possessing q full knowledge
f all the facts of the situation, will be con-
trained to come to conclusion directly op-
oste.
Much also has been said about colored men
,r coffee" few negrophilist Radicals,
18th more zeal than either brains or principle,
blowing the lead of WENDELL PHILLIPS, have
cen talking of the "claims" of the negro for
ne Office of vice-President; some also have
poken of voting for negroes for Congress, and
,r other positions of honor. Upon careful
however, of these reports, we
enerally trace them not to Radicals or to ne
roes, but to the MISREPRESENTATION press,
9th North and South. We have seen many
,ports of negroes announcing themselves as
lndidates for Congress, but in nearly every
stance the rumor has proved false. Our
,aders may remember report of this charac-
n gaining currency here some two months
90, about one Sweat" colored man of
arlboro', who was said to be running for
Ongress. He promptly contradicted the re-
,rt, and we heard nothing more of him, until
few days ago we found in the National Intel
yencer the following sensation paragraph in
ference to this topic: "The friends of Mr..
mead (black NAM are actively pressing his 1
aims for Congress in South Carolina. Every
~ he is said to be gaining strength" This
oes forth to the world as an authoritative
atement of the National Intellgencer, and will
,rve its purpose, viz: keep alive agitation,
MT prove the 'negroizng" of the South. We
ave no doubt whatever that were this story
ioroughly sifted, it would be found that it 0
riglnated in joke, was taken up, either
trough ignorance mischief, by some news 3
aper qmdnunc, and then event the round" a
he same number of the MtelHgencer also has
address "tO the First Congressional District q
Georgia. copied from the Quitman ga v
anner, by James Patrick Ficklinp colored =