The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-06

be made in order to trlng ,ut the white
strength Of the country, and to give the people
some tangible issues on whlcht vote. The
amendment reads as follows:
cat the same time in voting br officers un.
der this constitution, we would put on record
| onr protest against its validity"
Mr.. D. ". Alken-Reco gnizingthe fact that il
is the bayouet which compels B 70 act, see
| force in the amendment, because it enables us
To vote under protest. The minority of oul
people recognize the necessity Of action, and
while the strong arm compels us to do what
we do not wish, still If We do it under protest
we may with clear conscience vote as ou
word it carefully, think the amendment tc
the resolution wise one, and ITill ACCEPT it.
The amendment was then adopted as above
motion was made by delegate from
Georgetown to strike out all after the word
constitution"
Mr. Thomas said it was desirible to adopt
the resolution unanimously, and especially i'm.
portant to the success OF the organization, il
L was determined to go to the polls at all, to
vote nsi for good and true men who would bring
out it's whole strength. A party without can.
didates was like the play of Hamlet with Ham
| let omitted.
The motion to strike out was not agreed to,
and the resolution was then adopted.
The fourth resolution was read as follows:
Resolred, That under the action of the State
of South Carolina, heretofore taken, we recog.
nize the negroes Of the State as an integral
element OF the body polite; and, as such, II
eoual protection under the State Constitution
and laws. And that as citizens of South Caro-
lima we declare our willingness, when we have
the power, to grant them, under proper quail.
| fcatlons as to property and intelligence, the
right of suffrage.
words "colored population" for the word ''ne-
groes."
dent ' that h this is going little too far. can.
not see the proprlety Of ignoring the word
s'negro." It Is not right; it results from false
modesty. end does violence to custom.
Hon. James Chesnut-This seems to be a
mere verbal criticism, and, to my mind, it is q
matter of no consequence. The words me
gro' and "colored man" have assumed q
SYNONYMOUS meaning, which embraces oil the
descendants Of the African race. Ii, however,
the word NEGRO" is offensive, | am, as one OF
words 0colored population" shall be used.
Both of them being roses-"a rose by any
name will smell as sweet:
The amendment was then agreed to.
Hon. D. ". Aiken.-It seems to me, MIR.
President. that if this resolution is 10 secure
any thing to the negro, it should secure some
thing tangible something he can touch; but
in my humble judgment it does 10 such thing,
nor will it secure things which no understands
time he shall be allowed the privilege OF quail
6ed suffrage, besides protection to person and
property under the lag. Then he will take
hold of the resolution, but as il is. believe /.
is pill he will not willingly swallow.
Hon. James Chesnut-This resolution
caused some debate in the Committee, and 1t
was believed by the majority that it was our
duty as well as our high policy, Eo to frame
the action Of the Democratic party. OF South
Carolina, as to make distinct pledge to the
colored people Of the State, and induce them to
vote with us in the approaching elections.
For one, / am quite of the, opinion that the
Gentleman from Abbevile is right and that
in addition to the very material announcement
that we do recognize the negro as an integral
part of the body polite, we shoIld declare that
he shall be admitted to the functions OF goveSc- G.
ment to that extent to which justice and MS
capacity may hereafter ent!to him; that VIII
imply the idea Of qualified Suffrage. IN my
Judgment such an enunciaton by this oody
would not be detrimental to the public welfare.
1t would add much to our success, give Us Q
most material advantage IL discussion with
those we may have TO encounter during the
approaching canvass, and may induce these
people to feel deep interest in the party now
being organized. Perhaps the convention may
,nittee was to submit the subject to the
consideration and sense of the body. For
my part think it is o matter of policy-a
matter Of right-and certainly it is the legal
sequence Of the action Of the people them
selves. When they declared emancipation, it
followed as O legal and logical sequence that
YOU could not have in the same State nn entire
free population excluded in every possible
manner from the privileges OF government.
frage in the wisest possible way-it will not in
terfere with you, and it will make him good
citizen and firm ally. Let Us accept the
African au1Lllaries, for we need them.
Hon. B. F. Perry-I heartily concur with the
views of the gentleman who has just taken his
seat. I have always been Of the opinion, since
the emancipation Of slaves, that it was our duty
and true policy to secure to them, under certain
restrictions, the right to participate in the gov
ernment OF the country. consider IL aosor
lutely necessary to the peace and order OF
society, that this class OF people who have been
so suddenly elevated should enjoy q limited
franchise It is our safety valve. Il will en-
courage them to educate themselves--to acquire
intelligence and property; and when they nave
acquired intelligence and property, they be-
come in turn an example TO others below them
and thus influences are set at work which bene.
fit society, preserve pence, and establish conf
dence.
In Connecticut, two years ago, when t:e
question OF universal suffrage was submitted
to the people, am informed that the intelli.
gent negroes themselves went forward and
voted against it. They said, when our col
ored brethren have acquired the intelligence
and property which we have, they will then be
entitled to exercise the rights and privileges
which we possess, but while they remain lgno'
rant and destitute, We are unwilling to aiI ir
comforting upon them privilege which makes
their influence equal to our own." repeat
again, it is the safety valve Of society, be-
cause YOU make good citizens of these in.
telligcnt men, whereas if not entitled tC
this privilege, they might be disturbers
OF the public peace. The privilege, too, if con.
ferred, would embrace SO few that they coult
not exercise great or controlling influence II
elections.
Many years ago entertained the opinion il
regard to fugitive slaves, that when man O.
color, by his intelligence and love of liberty
made his escape ~ free State, instead O.
bringing him back here to stir up insurrectior
and insubordination, he should be permitted t
stay there He had won the prlze, and would
let him enjoy it. So now, in regard to voting
When colored man has acquired property an(
intelligence, would give him q place in tht
government, and secure to him the right OF ;
! freeman at the ballot-box. During risit t
Washington, 1 had ell interview with Presiden
Johnson on this subject, and he concurred IL
the views have suggested. He said, further
that If the Southern people would adopt quail
fed suffrage, it would disarm the Radicals Of th
country. Soon afterwards he wrote letter to tin
Governor OF Mississippi, urging him to use hi
Influence to secure the success OF the measure
Mr.. Doohttle, OF Wisconsin, cne Of the ables
advocates OF Southern rights, in his grea
speech il the United States Senate, not lon,
| nnn nrnmn nlmnted tha saInc fnn.r RING nnn,elv &