Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-08-08
ENLIGHTESmENT OF THE SOUTH.
work Of the Congregational Commfttee--
Organization in the Southern States
Speakers AZ work--Circulatton OF Doc
ume - II a. m ates af The Yafinz-

Organization IN the Southern States
Speakers AZ work--Circulation OF Doc
uments--Estimst stes of the Voting.
Washington Correspondence N. Y. Tribune.
The Southern political campaign in
creases both in interest and intensity.-
AT the Republican caucus of Monday
evening last, as you are already aware,
considerable enthusiasm was aroused
In response to the appeal of the Repub-
llcan Congressional Executive Commit
tee, number of influential members
pledged their districts respectively for
81 900 each. 1t is believed that majori-
ty of the districts represented by Repub-
licans will be canvassed in order to raise
that amount in each. 1t is felt that at
last Congress has, whether swisely or
not events must develop, established It's
ultimatum, and the consequences Is that
leading men feel they must now go to
work. Those most competent to Judge
believe that the effort will be promptly
made.
The means for sending documents are
extensive. Over 10000 names are en-
rolled in the Committees books. To
one-fourth large packages are sent, while
its agents and those State Committees
and Councils receive copies by the thou
sands. They are sought for with the ut
most avidity. Among the freed people
reading clubs have been extensively or
gapized. 4 n Georgia, especially, the
reading of the dialogue before mention
ed is constant feature of every large
meeting attended by colored men. One
man in the audience asks the questions
and one on the platform responds. The
ministers of the African Methodist Epis-
copal Church read them Republican
documents from their pulpits. In this
way the new enfranchised are being
taught. The whites, especially the
poorer classes, are more desirous of re-
ceiving the documents sent by the party
committees.
So far the expenses of the campaign in
the South have been chiefly borne by
members of Congress and those employ
ed in the capital. About $4,000 have
been expended, and some $4,000 is now
being received, by which outstanding
obligations will be discharged. This is
q meager amount to have accomplished
so much. There probably never was so
extensive campaign carried ON more
cheaply. The colored speakers and Or
ganizers have been especially helpful
There are now speakers in every State
Texas and Florida being the last to be
reached by the Congressional Committee.
Major Moore, editor of the San AntOnia
.
brings very encouraging accounts, COM
pared to those we have been getting. 1t
is estimated there are at least 10000 and
probably $4,000 voters, and 1900 to 20,-
600 white Republicans. Western Texas
is secured by the German vote. On his
return, several agents will be immedi-
ately started out. Means have been fur
nished to meet the bare expenses of these
men. In Florida, the party hasju been
organized by the meeting of State Com
mittee. Two very Efficient cOlored speak
ers are canvassing the State. Western
and North Florida are considered secure
even now, the eastern and southern coun-
ties being deemed doubtful.
In Georgia and Alabama the party is
under good headway with efficient man
ayers. In both States there is a well or
ganized white minority, as also in North
Carolina. Mississippi and South CarOli-
ma are the worst off. Though the color
ed vote comprises majority of all, their
poverty isso great, and the determined op-
position of those for whom they work so
intense, that it is work of peril to at
tempt their organization. But good pro-
gress is being made. The well known
colored speakers, John M. Langston and
the Rev. James Lynch, are at work there.
To South Carolina agents have just
DtcH Sttll, Ill W tllOSt WHO nave
preceded them. Sergeant Handy and
Capt. Houston, able colored men, and
w. j. Armstrong, of this city, one of the
ablest young men in the party, are at
work there. An adjourned Republican
State Convention meets at Columbus on
the oath inst. From Virginia the most
encouraging accounts are received. 1t is
very evident that the Republican strength
will surprise even its most sanguine
friends. ..t
Among the whitespeakers now at work
are A. w. Tenney, of New York Col.
G. E. Moss, of Missouri; Coils. Marsh and
Tucker, of Virginia; DR.. Alfred Thomas,
of Iowa; w. J. Armstrong, of Washing
ton !, Mr.. Keffer, of Alabama; Col. Bry-
ant and Others of Georgia. Many more
are awaiting the Committees possession
of funds. The colored speakers embrace
such names as John NJ. Langston, James
Lynch, the Rev. j. V.Given, Dr. Brown
and Sergeant Handy, of Baltimore the
Rev. Mr.. Randolph, of South Carolina,
and number of Others. With funds at
the disposal of the agencies at work here,
the contest may be pushed briskly. AT
the present time 500 is worth more than
81 900 a year later. The general COM
plant Is the want of means, and the OBJ
stacles which possession of the State or
ganizations by the friends of the rebels
put in the way of reconstruction and its
friends.