The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-09-05
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Mn. EDrroR: I hand you the fol-
lowing communication, received
through the post Office, and address
Fed 10 me. sg
My consideration for the great
lbody Of the colored people who, 7
know, are misled by the teachings of
bad men, both white and black, in
duoes ne 70 depart from my usual
rule of not noticing anonymous COM
munications.
My anxiety that no responsibility
shall attach to the party with which
I am identified, for any collisions
that may arise in this State, induces
me further to state the truth as it is.
As to myself, it is not true that I
am providing arms and ammunition,
as alleged, for Democrats or others.
What arms I have, or may obtain,
are designed for self-defence, and to
meet just such incendiaries as the
''head committee of safety" threatens
to let loose upon me and others.
In the second place, it is proper to
state, for the information of the per
sons whom designing men are lead
ing to acts of violence, that the De-
mocratic party of this State have no
disposition whatever to harm them
in life, liberty or property. No vio-
lence will occur, unless begun by
their opponents. The election will
be peaceful, unless made otherwise
by the radical party. s
Nor is it true that triumphant
Democracy would seek to impair the
just rights of the colored people,
or deny to them their reasonable
claims. On the contrary, the triumph
of that party is alone consistent with
the well-being of the African race.
1t will not give to the black man the
unqualified privilege of suffrage; but
it will give him what is better than
suffrage-the fruits of his labor; the
protection of his person, and all the
benefits of civil rights-these con-
ducing to his mental, moral and
physical Improvement. The people
of the South think kindly of, and are
disposed to deal generously with the
great body of the freedmen; and GER
tainly we have no desire to kill them,
rs the Columbia "head committee of
safety" seem to imply.
AS to the threats of this committee,
of course, it becomes us all to take
notice, and to heed the "timely warn
ing" But it may be we'll for me,
soberly and candidly, to suggest that
it will be fatal day for the colored
people, when they shall be induced
to court an issue of arms and blood
and fire with the white people. For
one, I shall do all in my power to
avert this calamity; and this I know
to be the sentiment of the party with
which am acting, and the gentle
men with whom I associate.
''In the name of God we have set
up our banners" and we seek no
violent settlement of the issues that
have been sprung upon us. But let
this committee of safety" under
stand that beneath the velvet glove
of honest Cancellation, is the mailed
hand of power; and that this hand
will be raised with regret. but in con-
| fideDce, whenever it shall become
necessary for the protection of fami-
| lies and resides.
J.P. THOMAS.
Mr. P Thomas
Sir hear from a good witness that
you q getting Is shooting Rifles and q
large lot of ammunition at your house.
In fact you are ordering for the de-
mocrats so as to arm them to xii us,
now Mr. thomas we once thought you
was fair man which you said you
was but you have now turned agin
us and say this is white mans
government. and we have no rites
except to labor for you. now I can
tell you that we are disposed to be
peacible, but when you begin to xii
us must say that we have no guns
but we have got plenty of matches
and we will use them and Shermans
March will not be q circumstance
when you begin TO kill us.
why cant you let us alone we don't
trouble you we only want what the
United States government give us
and we intend to have that.
all we ask is q fair election and if
your party is q fair party you will
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