The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-04-24
PUBLIC MEErrNa INs NspIclKElllIJls..

S-a. - TL Z
siderationsthe situation Of spoltfcai afsirl-E
Col. Il. A. TaoMpsox vaa called to Tie Chair, and
addressed the meeting III strong and earnest an'lI
iguage; advising the peopleSto aeceIt the terms
prescribed by the conqueror, as q means oi
restoring peace and quiet to the coun try "a com
mttee of sixteen, with Maj. ]. NJ. ADAMS as char
man, prepared business for the meeting, and auo-
!mitted the following preamble aud resolutions
We: have no desire to comment on tho proceedings
Of this meeting, believing that discussion of fuch
matters onghtto be deprecated, but cannot forfear
tho expression. that this example OF aour fellow
citizens in Pckens District is conclusive proof That
.sthc situation, in all its bearings, Id accepted by
the masses The most inyoterate Radical surely
expects no stronger proof from our down-trodden
race 80 5.,73i
WHEREAS, We have but lately emerged from q
long and bloody civil war, which has left us pros
rate and ruined at the feet of our conquerors and
in1which all has been lost, save honor and small
pittance of property And, whereas, though it may
|: be humiliating, itcannot be degrading to submit
stolhe terms imposed by the oonquerors, however
hard they may seem to be; And, whereas, it must
be eyidentto a1fthinking minds that any further
resistance on our part, direct or Indirect, toythe
powers that be, must!result in bringing upon us
additional evils and humiliations and serva to
change,our condition from bad to worse, and place
in serious peril of confscation, the remnant Of
property row left us, making beggars Of our wives
and children; And, whereas, the Higher Lao
makes it imperative upon us to provide for those
whom nature has placed under our care, the more
especially when plunging them into irretrievable
ruin,:can do us no good And; whereas, the party
now in control of the Government, at Washington,
lis sustainedTby large majority Of the people of
the Norih, is overwhelming i'm its power, decisive
in tha annunciation ofits principles, ard peremp-
tory'in its -depands, which arsonly heightened in
severity by our delay to accept themsS And, where
as, tho Democratic party with v hictiS ne have
hitherto acted, represents no feasible policy or
principles lis corrupt, in its organization and
management, and is supported only by q respecta-
BILE: minority And, whereas,a grand moral and
political revolution is sweeping over this country
with irresistible -force hioh is but portion of
that great ground swell of progress, the effects of
which are being fels ttroughons the world, ard it
has in all ages and countries been found vain and
futile to oppose such revolutions 81 And whereas,
we are convinced that the party iripolrer do not
wish to destroy us, or even to drive US from the
country; And whereas, it issno longer a. question
whether the freedmen shall tbe admitted to rote,
but she question really is, whether The white men
who aided in the war against. the United St.tes,
shall continue to exercise that great privilege;
And whereas, the colored vote in South Carolina
.outnumbers the white vote, and will inevitably de-
feat it, the two should be brought into antago-
:nism And, whereas, there is no natural enmity
existing betweensthe two races, but, having been
raised together, their sympathies are in accord ].
Therefore, belt Resolved, by us, The people of
Piekens District, South Carolina; in Mass Meeting
That in good faith, and without reser
ya.ion, We accept the plan Of reconstruction laid
down by Congress in the Sherman Bill, and the
Bill Supplementary thereto. -:
I'd. Thatit is the duty of every good citizen to
come forward, and in good. faith lend his assis-
itance tothe reconstruction of the State under the
Sherman Bill, and thus put an end 10 the evils Of
our present condition;
Sd. That we will jointly and severaly ,use best
exertions TO enforce the laws and to secure to all
persons, irrespective of race, color, or previous
condition, full protection for life liberty, and
property.
4th., That every respectable Northern man, or
foreigner; who brings physical strength OF capital
into South Carolina should be received as friend
and treated as such. -
5th. That in future, no qualification for Office
from the lowest to the highest, will be e1acted
among us, save that. of merit.
9Th. That the security Of our political institu-
tions demands, that the highest facilities for se-
curng elementary education to the manses of the
people, be guaranteed by Constitutional provision
! .7th. That Constitutional provision should be
made for the exemption Of every mans homestead
from levy and sale, that our population may be-
come fixed and permanent to the soil.
stl.. That the laws of this State require mod6-
cation in many respects, but mere especially
should they be SO changed as to- do sway with i'm
prisonment for debt, except in of fraud, and
corporcal punishment for crime or any other cause
q 9th That we congratulate ourselves, that being
under military authority, We have placed over us
that humane and enlightened soldier and staies-
man, General Daniel E. Sickles the Commander Of
he2d Military District, who is disposed by all
proper means, 10 soften, as much asl in his power
may be, the unavoidable seventies Of military rule;
and that in carrying out the arduors and impor-
tant duties ofhs high Office, he will have our good
will, cooperation and support.
10th. That deprecating anything like party
feeling, and dsayowng partizan motives. we in
woke the aid of that God who rules the Universe,
speedily to bring order out of ccnfuion, aud pray
Him to send His richest blessings upon our whole
conntrx TINT We may once more be able to utter |