The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-12

A spot Where There Ii no Political Agitation
Every Race and Color with the Democracy
Sentiments OF the People-They Begin 70
Fear that Grant will BE Elected, hut will
Work Hard for Seymour.
COLUMBIA, Oct. 4, 1868.
In this little village on or rather near the bank OF
the muddy Chattahooche river there IL not sufficient
political agitation TO excite Of those enthu-
siastc yeIls for which the Southern people are so
well known. 1t Is true that the county Henry Is a
rather thlnly populated one, but this does not ex-
plain the OF apparent lack OF interest In the
great Presidential contest now going on from one
end OF the country to the other The people here
appear to have thoroughly ignored politics. No rad
teal meetings have been held and but very few demo-
cratic gatherings have taken place. As natural
consequence good feeling friendliness and cordially
exist between whites aud blacks to greater and
more earnest extent than of almost any other locality
in the South which has been visited during
the present tour. This may, however, re-
suit from the fact that everybody or nearly
everybody, belongs TO the same party Blacks
as well - whites are tolerably unanimous for the
democracy, that where all agree there ls but lit
tie chance for the enlightenment OF acrimony, not
TO say violence. ave are all democrats here's
say the white citizens. 1--WE longs to de white peo-
ple,s party say the darkes Radicals, like angels
sured by the white citizens that at least two-thlrds
OF the negro vote In this county will be cast for Sey
mour and Blair, and II those darkIes with whom
have converscd faithfully represent the political
opinions OF their race this estimate IL not Oh exag.
Teratcd one. Indeed, the mere fact that carpetbag
gers and scalawags have yet invad ed this part
OF the state makes this statement all the more relia-
bic. have not visited any part OF tie south which
has not been invaded by these classes OF South
ern radicals where tho TWO have not been liy-
sng together on the best possible terms and where
the blacks were not almost unanimously democrats,
In all OF the counties adjacent TO this the same
quiet and nearly unanimous political sentiments
exist. The masses Will not countenance the slight
est agitation, thus setting an example worthy Of I'm.
1aOn. Not that they are Indifferent to politics. for
every intelligent citizen takes the keenest Interest IN
all that is transpirng, and all are working earnestly
though quietly for Mr.. Seymour. IL h
the whites are democrats, thus preclud
ing the necessity OF my writing any
thing az 10 their Views. With the blacks II II
different. although here at least they appear olera
bly, unanimous in their political opinions, wacn ar
simply no opinions OF all, but rather those o
their white employers. In thls county majority .
She negroes Will vote the democratic Ticket while
from all that can be ascertained very large minor
fty If not an actual majority OF their votes, will b.
OF them know or care who and what they are votinl
FOR. Their "bossesr tell them 70 vote for "Mr sim
snersr or the loyal leagues Tell them TO stand by the
Rev. MIR. General Grant and they DO either tle on'
or the other with profound Indifference az 70 lnt
merits Of either. This manner OF being led by tht
nose does not say much for the intelligence OF the
Alabama cOl0Ied citkens; but unfortunately t v al