The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-04-24
: PUBLIC F, MEETING INspIcKENs.. ) I.

public meeting on Monday 10Th iast., to take into
onsiderationsthe situation Of political affairs
Col r. "a. THoMpsoa wass called to the Chair, and
addressed the meeting III strong ind earnest Ian
|sguage, advising the peoplesto accept tho terms
prescribed by the conqueror, as a. means OIL
restoring peace and quiet to the country COM
mittee of sixteen, with Maj j. M. ADAMS as chaIf-
man, prepared business for the injecting, and sub
mitted the following preamble ana resolutions
We. have NO desire to comment on the proceedings
of this meeting, believing that discussion Of such
matters ought,to be deprecated, but cannot forbear
the expression. that this example of sour fellow
citizens in Pickens District is conclusive proof chat
othe situation" in all its bearings is accepted by
the masses. The most inveterate Radical surely
expects. no stronger proof from our down-trodd.n
race -.
WHEREAS, We have but lately emerged from q
long and bloody civil war, which has left us pros
trate and ruined OF the feet our conquerors ald
in which all has been lost, save honor and small
pittance of property; And, whereas, though it may
t be humiliating, itcanuot be degrading to submit
Ito the terms imposed by the conquerors, however
hard they, may seem to be; And, whereas, it must
be eYident4o all thinking minda that any further
resistance on our part, direct OF. indirect tothe
tipowers that be-. must result in bringing upon US
additional evils and shumiations, and serve to-
change our condition from bad to worse, and place
in serious speril of ,confscatiOn, The remnant Of
property row left U.S. making beggars Of our wives
and children; And whereas, the, Higher Leu
makes it: imperative upon us to provide for those
whom nature has placed under our care, The moro
especially when sp!unging them into irretrievable
ruin :can do us no good And, whereas, the party
,aow in control of the Government, at Washington
Eis sustained by large majority Of the people Of
the North, is overwhelming in its power, decisive
in shs annunciation Of its principles and peremp
tory III itsS Sdemalds, which are only heightened in
ssveritysby our delay to accept them And, where
as, the Democratic party with which rs have
hitherto acted, represents no feasible policy or:
principles lis corrupt i'm its organization and
mahag gement, and issu upported only by a. respecta-
BE miaoriy And, whgreisa grand moral and
political revousio is eeping over this country
with irresistible force. Which but portion Of
that eatground swell of progress, the effects Of
which are being 'felt thronghons the world and it
has in all ages and countries been found vain and
futile to oppose such revolutions And, whereas,
we are convinced that the. party in power do not
wish to destroy us, or even to drive ut from the
country; And, whereas, it i,;no longer question
whether the freedmen shall tbe admitted to ,vote,
but the question really is, whether the white men
who aided in the war against the United States,
shall continue Co exercise that great privilege;
And ~hereas, tile colored vote in South Carolina
ioutnunbers the whits vote, and will inevitably de-
feat it, if the tsro should be brought into antago
:nism Aud, whereas, there SIS no natural ennity
existing .betweenfhe two races, but, having been
raised together, their sympathiesar in accord !.
Therefore, be it Resolved, by us, the people of
Piekens District South Carolina in Mass Meeting
assembled, That in good faith, and without reSer-
Yation, We accept the plan ef reconstruction laid
down by Congress in the. Sherman Bill, and the
Bill Supplementary thereto.
Cd: That.it is the duty Of every good citizen to
come forward, and in good, fifth lend his assis-
;tance totbe reconstruction OF the State under the
Sherman Bill, and thus put 'an end to the evils 0.
our present condition. sss
3D. That we will jointly and eyerslly use our best
:exertions enforce the laws and to secure to all
persons, irrespective of race color, or previous
condition, fuls protection for life liberty, and
property.
( 4th: That every respectable Northern man, or
foreigner who brings physical strength or capital
into South Carolina should be received as friend
and treated as such. s
~ 5th That in future; no qualification for Office
from the lowest to the highest, ifill be exacted
among us, saye that; of merit.
6th.sT That the security Of our political institu-
ti9ps demands, that the highest facilities for se-
curing elementsry education to the masses of the
people, guaranteed by Conntitntional provision ]
sifth.s 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
+ 9th. That the laws Of this State require modif-
cation in many respects, but more especially
should they beso changed asi:: do away with inn
prisonn,ent for debt, except III cases of fraud and
corporeal punishmentfor crimo or any other cause.
9th. That wescongratunte ourselves sthat being
under military authority, we have placed over us
that humane and enlightened soldier and states
man, General Daniel E. sickles, the Commander of
the I'd Military District, who is disposed by all
proper means, 10 SOFTEN. as much as in his power
may be, the unavoidable severiyies Of military rule
and that in carrying. out the arduous and impor
tapt duties ohis high Office, he will have our good
| will, cooperation and support
10th. That deprecating anything like. party
feeling, and disavowing partizan motives, we in
woke the aid of that God who rules the Universe
speedily to bring order out Of confusion, and pray
Him 70 send His richest blessings upon, our whole