The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-02

cratic party. 1t had fed the South
on soft corn and then choked them
with the cob. It was still opposing
the black man and his rights.
The speaker referred at length to
the Scriptural illustration used' by
Gov. Orr with reference to the cap
tivity Of the Israelites and their So
journ in the wilderness, and contend
ed there was no analogy between the
condition of the two peoples. In the
first place, he did not believe the
white people were like old Pharaoh; !;
and secondly, that they did not de-
serve to be swallowed up in the Red
Sea. They had gone through q red
SEQ of blood already, and now he de-
sired to see every vestige Of hate-if
such a feeling existed-buried. God
knew they did not wish to be the
means of oppression to the whites
God knew he regretted that any man
had been disfranchised; he regretted
the cause. He wished to see all men
untrammelled, to go where they
pleased-to go into court houses-to
go into the penitentiary, if their
works carried them thereto go to
Congress, or to hell, or to Heaven.
They had been o patient people.
For two hundred and forty-six years
of captivity, they had ploughed the
fields and titled the earth. Cities,
towns and villages had grown up by
magic dotting the land, and wealth
been poured into the Golfers of the
nation. And I claim, said the speak
er, while we do not hold title to the
country, the sweat of our brow, that
has oozed out all over these fields,
makes this our home, and L believe
God Almighty will, some time, per-
nit us to enjoy n portion of it. But
we must oil be friends. If we cannot
be friends, politically, let us be friends
as men, and do those things which q
common interest demands.
The great reason why I go with the
Republican party is, that it is the
best party-and that is bad enough
for the black man; but I say again,
that care for no party and no Go
vernment which will not give me my
rights. Allow me to tell you that the
present privilege is only an expert
ment. The people want to see what
amount of ability you are capable of
employing, and I tell you that, un-
less you act squarely and fairly, and
not be backing here and filling there;
unless you do what is right with re-
ference to the white man as well rs
the black, you will be damned. Build
up party on proper platform,
however, and our destiny is safe.
God will take care of us, and the
nation will see us protected.
Mr.. Gibbes made o happy speech,
in which, without alluding to poll
tics, he gave much sound advice to
the colored people. He said that he
felt satisfied the people of the two
races, in this District, understood
each other, and that, if we continue
to occupy common platform, our
interests being so Identical, the well
fare of the community would be sub
served, and the colored man espe-
cially would enjoy the benefit of the
progress and prosperity. materially
and politically, which would result.
Brevet Lieut. Col. Moore, of the
9th U. S. Infantry, followed. He
said he was no politician or speaker,
and simply desired to express the
pleasure he enjoyed in seeing so large
an audience gathered for the purpose
of organizing party and adopting a
platform of principles in accordance
with the new relations which the
colored man now bore to society. He
referred to the Kansas troubles, dur
ing which his regiment was in that
Territory, and the manner of his con-
version from good old Democracy to
Freesoilism, Republicanism, Aboli-
tionism and Radicalism, and brought
up one or two "reminiscences connect
ed with the "rebel'' (so-called)
officers Of the command, in which
they came very near being swallowed
alive.
He contended that the amendment
to the Constitution was not damage
to the instrument, and only the re-
suit of condition of affairs which
absolutely necessitated the change;
and as far as the right of suffrage
was concerned, said he felt satisfied
that if the political condition of the
country was all right, "nobody's vote
could do any harm" and it wouldn't
make the slightest difference which
of the rival Candidates was elected,
SO far rs the best interests of the