The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-31
REPUBLICAN MASS MEETING.
SPEECHES OF HON. A. g. MAoKEY, F. A. SAWYER,
ESQ.,, MAJOR D. F. CoRDIN, AND OTHERS.

SPEECHES OF HON. A. G. MAokEH, F. A. SAWYER
/ ESQ.,, MAJOR D. F. CoRDIN, AND OTHERS.
The papers yesterday havinggiven notice that q
mass meeting would be held in the evening at Hi
bernian Hail. to which all we're invited who were
in favor of tho reconstruction measures OF the
seth and 4Oth Congress, We repaired to the spot
designated at the appointed hour, and found the
hall nearly full with persons of both colors, tho
black, however, largely predominating-sa nine
negroes to one white man.
Among those present, we observed several OF
our leading merchants and other prominent ctl-
zens. As Mr.. Bowen passed up the aisle, there
was hiss from several parts of the house, sufli-
cient to direct general attention to that gentleman
About half-past eight clock Mr.. b. Z. Wall,
colored, moved that the meeting be organized, by
calling the Hon. A. G. MAcKEY to the Chair, which
was concurred in. He then proposed for Vlco-
Presidents: Messrs. F. A. SAWYER, ID. L. CoRBIN
Vim. McKinlay, Robert Houston, Edmund
Laurens, and It. j. ROBERTSON; and for Secretaries
H. JUDGE MOORE, DAVID BARROW, and VIM. j. Nc
Kinlay. All of which were accepted, reno con-
| trddlcente
MIR. MAcKEY then announced thai 1T had been
proposed to add the Hon. j. z. al. EPf1Na to the
number of Vice-Presidents. "AD who are IN favor
of this nomination will signify it by saying aye"
There were about eight or ten ayes CAL who are
opposed by saying no." And there was perfect
shout of noes all over the house. This demon
stration seemed altogether unexpected. Ihe
Chair, however, with commendable composure, re-
marked that although the dissenters had sig
niied their intention by considerable NOISE
he was not satisfied, and requested those who were
in favor of the nomination to rise. About dozen
rose. He then asked them to be seated, and those
to rise who were opposed to the nomination OF the
Hon. ]. p NJ. Epp1Na, when the house seemed to
rise en- masse. This was q sample OF that proven
bal ingratitude Of republics for their great men
altogether unmerted on the part Of the honorable
gentleman, who has our hearty coincidence and
sympathy.l
DIR. A. G. MAoKEYithen opened the meeting with
the following remarks:
Feloac- Citizens: As an indication Of my position,
will say that WAS ignorant OF the purpose OF the
meeting, and have come here independent and un-
| tramelled, and by no previous arrangement, and
am, consequently, prepared to be an impartial
| Moderator. This meeting hns been called for an
expression Of opinion from all citizens who are IN
favor Of the Acts OF Congress. This appears to be
wide field, and it is requisite to know what class
will take charge. I shall detain you only to state
what principles shall govern me as Moderator.
All who understand history will know that the
| country has for many years been divided In Two
parties, Democrat and Republican, and il anything
distinguishes one from the other it ID the dlerence
of opinion ON the subject Of reconstruction. l
presume that every man who calls hlmsen mem
favor Of the Reconstruction Acts of Congress, and
| is willing to abide by them. If Democrat the
case is different; and judging from the past, l
hold that every true Democrat is an enemy TO the
- hr AT
q meeting like the present, there may be mum
Der Of persons who claim to be members OF the
Republican party, but they may be beginners or
cstechumens; but still, if in favor OF this party,
plause.) It may be that many have come here for
the purpose of aiding and abetting the Presidents
policy but those only are true to the country who
favor the Congressional policy Of reconstruc, st!us:
| " and fearlessly, and be prepared to carry
out the policy Of the Republican party, and to
speedily restore our beloved State to her former
position in the Union. They come to aid IN the the
stars in the flag, and to restore that flag to it's
place as the proud emblem Of the country. Ii
| they come hero with such motives know no rea-
son why they should not be heard, and any man
who has such views is no enemy, but good mem
ber. If on the other hand, there arc any who try
to destroy nullfy the acts Of Congress- he is an
and S hSu b 1has %S veWs are ON
the subject of reconstruction, now declare this
meeting to be thoroughly organized, and shall
be glad to hear what any gentleman has to offer.
Cries Of SAWYER, SAWYER. That gentleman soon
responded to the call and delivered an able and
and forcible speech, Of which We present the fol-
lowing synopsis:
Me. President and EEo,C-citirenS Until late
hour to-day I was as ignorant OF the purpose OF
this meeting as you were. saw simply call IN
IL ,pr ~ fha
struction Acts Of the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth
Congress. This was without signature and COM
mitted no man but for what the notice stated.
Those who belonged to the Union Rep Jbican
gress to be the best for the country are doubtless
here, did not expect to be called upon 30 soon
in the evening, and would have been glad to have
heard others, but shall endeavor to answer your
call aud show what are the principles OF the Re-
publican party and how they are affected by Con-
gressional action.
I have been Republican for years, not only
now, but during the late struggle and have fully
determined that it is q party Of good order and
rights to all a9 Is na saos
and it is only by their action that they remain the
United States. I was formerly Democrat, but
when the Convention Of Charleston was broken
up; when the Democrats showed sympathy with
movements that led to disruption, left them,
feeling that my only course was to fall In on the
opposite side. It is no new thing for me to be
Republican, but circumstances have heretofore
prevented my speaking. My present position was
frmed by a Republican Congress, and my loyalty
is not to be doubted. The time has now come
when it behooves every good citizen to 40 MS
whole duty to his country and his God: This can
only be done by obeying the laws passed by constl-
tutional authority.
The Reconstruction Acts are now the laws of tho
land and should not be subject of debate for it
is the duty of every man to uphold them. l Will
- lor,o h,f1u
that if not the best, look South Of Mason Dix
ons line for the reason, as better alternatives
were offered, but were refused with scorn. ask
you again, If any movement against the Govern
ment, in any country, has been moro lenlently
dealt with? Let any man who was here during
the whole war, and knew the tone OF the people,
say that they knew that if the United States were
successful, their lives and liberties would be SAFE
The idea was hooted at, for they knew and expect
ed that when tho cause was lost they would be
tried for treason. If the acts now in force had
been enforced in May, 1866, there would have been
no difficulty in registering, but the time allowed
! them made them wish for better terms.
The people who conducted this war expected
that they would suffer, and that the colored peo-
| pie would be in favor; but it was only when far
seeing men brought force to bear upon the SUD.
ject, that freedom was established; and instead OF
four millions slaves we now have men. These
chattels having been freed by the Uni cd States it
| Is to be presumed that they would not leave them
| free in everything but in law. II they had been
kept from the ballot box it would have produced
another war; and do not believe that am en-
titled to vote and black man not
When slaves they were kept in subsection, but
now have been made citizens both Of the United
States and of the State. I ask il, under eXlstlng 6
circumstances, we may expect any more foolish
legislation than the negro code OF tho secess on
ordinance? or if the future history of the people
will show enactnents more severe than the tax
bill? II this should be SO, then God save tho
Commonwealth Of South Carolina.
do not mean to be unkind, as I have lived q
long time in this community, and know none as
an enemy but must say that those who particl-
pated in the action of the past should suffer some
disability.
The speaker kere proceeded to describe the
cause and result of the late contest, and showed
how it affected the participators. Ho proved that