The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-22
MASS MEETING
OF THE
COLORED CITIZENS OF CHARLESTON.
Ratification of the Platform of the
Union Republican Party.
Speeches from different Colored
DiYines.
&C., &c.,

yesterday. The room was packed, ard many who
were unable to obtain an entrance, crowded around
the windows and doors, eager to hear the proceed
ings. On either side Of the desk, portion Of the
room was assigned to the speakers, reporters, and
others. Neither Generals SIcKLEs, SCOTT or ROB-
NsoN were present, and the speakers were exclu-
sively from the committee appointed.
The following Committee Of Thirteen had been
appointed at the last meeting to draft PLATFORM
| which was to be presented:
q. J. Moore, Chairman (whitej, N. g. Camplin,
E. J. Adams, Peter Miller, j. N. Hayne, Jno. B.
Eiorris, ]. D. Price, Benz Reils, J. P. H. Eppins
lwhlte), B; T. Randolph, R; g. DeLaIge, i. l..
! Cardozo, Sam. l.. Bennett and W. ]. Brodie.
The meeting Was opened with prayer by the
| Rev. r. II. Cain.
The meeting was then called to order by 81.
JUDGE Moore, the chairman. who said that, at
ed to appoint committee Of thirteen to report o
| platform Of the Union Republican Party Of South
Carolina That platform had been prepared, and
would he presented this evening to the citizens Of
| South Carolina for ratification. The platform was
| then read by the Rev. J. a. Adams.
! REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO DRAFT PLATFORM
| OF Principles FOB ORGANIZATION OF A UNION
REPUBLICAN PARTY EOa SoUTH CAROLINA.
Whereas the founders Of this Republic based
the same on the self-evident truth that all men
orsstea %t1 certain tam ns nssnsbe aa S tights that
among these are life, liberty and the pursuit OF
Whereas It is set forth in the Preambles Of the
Federal Constitution Of 's7, that it was ordalhed
/ not blythe several States or inhabitants thereof,
but by the people Of the United States, in or
der to form q more perfect Union, establish JUS
tioe, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the geEoral Welfare,
and to secure the blessings OF liberty to its foun-
ders and their posterity," and
| Whereas, Congress, by it's well considered and
almost unanimous action (Which action has had
the sanction Of the loyal people OF the country has
s5,Il l>..4 Lo ro1 out rr0
posed as eArtcle Il, and by the recent "Recon.
struction Bill" for the reorganization OF the civil
powers Of the States lately in rebellion and for the
renewal Of their representation in Congress, and
Whereas we recognize in those Legislative pro-
visions wise craftsmanship as regards the future,
justice tempered with MERCY towards the former
enemies Of the Union, and strong guarantees for
the protection Of all loyal citizens, without distinc-
enjoyment Of every rights conferred by the Con-
stituion, and
Whereas we regard the great National Republi-
can party, under the guiding hand Of Divine
Providence, as tho savior Of our country from the
peris of the late rebellion, for the destruction Of
the Union, and as the only party whose principles
can Justify us in committing the present and future
interests Of the country for safe-keeping. There
I. That we give our cordial and entire sanction
to the action Of Congress for the restoration Of
the Unirn, and to the wise and just principles Of
the Republican party.
:, II. That in order to make the labors of all our
1 loyal felow-citizens more efectu,I for carrying
out tho provisions of Congress- for the restoration
Of law and order in. our State, as well Us for the
peace and prosperity Of our entire country, we do
| form an association to be known as the Union
Republican Party of South Carolina"
i / Iu. That re pledge our sacred honor, our
fortunes and onr lives, to serve our country, to
preserve her institutions and especially to aid her
In keeping inyiolate the national faith which has
been sacredly pledged to the payment OF the ma
country, and to suppress rehsllion, and that the
people will not suffer this faith to be violated or I'M
paired, but all debts incurred to support the re-
belhon, as they were unlawfully void and OF no OBJ
States; nor shall South Carolina be permitted to
pay any debt whatever which was contracted to aid
the rebellion in any form.
HI ". That the nation owes to the bravo mon,
lasting gratitude for their heroic services in de-
fence Of the Constitution and the Union and that
while we cherish with tender affection the memo
ries Of the fallen, we pledge to their widows and
orpha ans the nations care and protection.
| y. That as republican institutions cannot be pre-
served, unless Intelligence be generally dMused
| among ell classes, we will demand Of our Legisa-
tlre uniform system OF common schools, winch
shall be open to all without distinction OF race,
color, or previous conditon-such system to be
supported by, general tax upon all kinds OF
Vt That;we will favor liberal system Of public
improvements, such es railroads, canals and other
works, and also such System Of awarding con-
zens an equal and fair chance to share in them.
VII. That We will also insist on such modifca-
ton OF the laws ri the State as will do away with
imprisonment Ter debt, except for fraud; and I'M
and especially to abolish, entirely and forever, the
barbarous custom Of corporal punishment for
| crime or any other cause.
. VIII. That, as large land monopoles tend only
to make rich richer, and poor poorer, and rlnnous
to the agricultural, commercial and social inter-
ests OF the State, the Legislature should offer
every practicable inducement for the division and
sale Of funoccupied lands among the poorer classes
and as an encouragement to immigrants to settle
| in our State.
TX. That the law Of "ejectment' and "dis-
i traint" should be so modified as to protect equally
the landlord and the tenant.
T. K That provisions should be made for the ex-
|iempton Of the poor mans homestead,
r. XII. That the interests Of the State demand o
revision OF the entire code Of laws and the reor-
ganization. of the Courts. :. :.
XII That the interests not only Of the State,
but of the whole country, demand every possible
ferred upon the newly enfanchised portion Of our
fellow-cEzens and that in the use e.of the sacred
right of the elective franchise we will seek to ele-
vate to Office Of trust and honor, only those who
are truly loyal honest and capable, irrespective OF
race, color, or previous conditios. .J,
Kill That We will not support any candidate
for Office who will not openly indorse, advocate
and defend the principles adopted by the Union
Republican Party.
demand provision by the Legislature for tho pro-
tection &C., Of all the aged, infirm and helpless
poor, irrespective Of race color or previous coni-
| tion.. -. .sr.r,...s. ~ =. ..-:-.-i..1-t'
| XV.sFelying upon a. Divine Providence for wis
dom in our councils, efficiency in action, hai mony
among ourselves, with malice towards none and
charity 10 all, we pledge our earnest and best ct.
forts for the return Of peace and prosperity to OIL
our people and for an early representation OF our
After reading the P. torn, Mr.. Adams proceed
ed to elucidae the doctrines set forth in that in
strument, and to warn lis audience from the many
errors they might be led to adopt He told them
that these are revolutionary tmes. For a many 9aoy
waged between freedom and slavery, until we now
behold the genius of Republican liberty bearing
it's escutcheon on the capital Of all nations, and
| it's banner waving on every continent, sea and
ocean. The sacred fire of liberty which has been
pent up in the Italian bosom or nearly two centu-
ries burst forth, shattering the trammes thai
bound the slave. Russia has given freedom to
h:r serfs. Gambia is struggling. for liberty, and
Ireland has made bold stroke to grasp her
| flag. The little leayan that was planted
when this Government was first founded has
permeated into every part, and tho flag that once
waved over four millions of slaves, now foat over
thirty-8ve millions Of freemen. The stripes, which
we're once emblematical of chains and slavery, are
now glad sign Of American liberty. we
owe a great debt of gratitude to Almighty
God, aud secondly to Congress, Ia trido less than
5000, ,OOO Ool for that boon which both white and
black now enjoy, and we should thank God that
He has, in His wisdom, overruled tho DEGREES OF
mon. When this war originated, the most Vlru-
lent Radical never dreamt Of doing more than con-
fning slavery within it's former limits; but the
over ruling hand OF Providence brought good out
of evil The resolutions we have adopted rindi-
oota6 rrDivarSn1 anffrnpo which this (lGy.
mans free voltion, having the right and
the power to choose between good and evil,
and to know the Government which he serves.
He said he was in favor Of universal suffrage
also for another reason: Ill men might be
be lea to do that which is right or wrong. For ex.
amp :, during the war those men who then were
induced to support the cause Of right and liborty