The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-24


with no partisan temper, and with no reference
to political opinions or parties; intent only
but deeply intent, upon the protection OF per
sops and property; Of persons Of all classes
of property, to whomsoeVer belonging; We art
forced by convictions We honestly entertain
by approximations which We cannot disregard
to warn our fellow-citizens Of the great danger
with which they are threatened. We counse
them most earnestly to the continuance OF thai
great forbearance they have hitherto mani
tested. We urge them not to be betrayed into
resentment, which, however natural or how
much provoked, will be in many quarters un'
willingly credited. But we do in the same
temper, and consistently with that forbear'
ance, and the control Of that resentment, advise
them Of the necessity, the imperative necessl'
ty that in our opinion exists, for them to pro-
tect themselves, in their persons and theil
property. The threats ofincendlarism and o1
violence, Of rapine and spoliation, are no lon
ger confined to the secret conclaye; but are
uttered to infame the passions of population
unhappily too credulous and too easily mis-
guided and betrayed. The appeals which have
been thus made; appeals which have been
made in public presses, and repeated in every
manner in which they could most deep
" excite those to whom they were ad-
dressed; have, unhsppily for us, and as un-
happily for those who are the victims OF bad
and designing men, produced their unfortu-
nate results. And population new in the en-
joyment Of their freedom new in the enjoy
ment of the highest privileges OF the citizen;
have been fired with sentiment Of hostility
to the white population OF the city and the
State, and taught that their freedom could
only be secured by the most degrading vassal-
age Of the white citizens Of the State. We do
most honestly and unreservedly declare, that
so far as we have any knowledge or belief, in
reference has never been attempted BY the
white citizens Of this city or State with the
fullest exercise BY the freedmen, individually
or collectively, OF all the rights, civil and polti-
cal, which they asserted as belonging tothem.
They have hI;1. heir meetings, and never with
interference; they have voted, and never with
disturbance; they have assembled in conven-
ton, passing constitution for their goeeEq;
ment and ours, without interruption; and un-
der that constitution they are now sitting as q
legislature, framing laws for the people OF the
State, removing officers, imposing taxes, and
exercising the functions Of legislation which
involve the property, Life and liberty Of the
citizen; without show Of violence, without
almost complaint on the part of those who
are excluded from all participation in proceed
ings which so deeply and intimately affect
them. But all Of this has not been sufficient to
satisfy them that the privileges 30 en-
joyed by them were complete, unless
they included the absolute domination
and control of the white population:
q domination and control 80 exclusive and abb
solute that it would embrace person and pro-
perty, and even extend to thought and speech.
To this condition is the white population OF
the city now st this time reduced; and in this
condition they are forced to see the evidence
of further purpose, to enforce this denial to
them Of every privilege, and To hold every
right which belongs to them subject to the
caprice OF those who are the dupes and victims
Of the bad men who have poisoned their
hearts; and for the most selfish and base pur-
poses destroyed for them the comfort, con-
tentment and happiness they might have
enjoyed.
We who now speak to you, whom you well
know, whose motives you will not nisunder-
stand, repeat to you the warning of the dan
ger with which you are threatened. There is
no organized and reliable force in the State by
which you can be protected. The police force
Of the city is utterly inadequate to secure the
peace against such combinations as threaten
it's continuance. And until, and unless the
President Of the United States, as the COM
mander-in-chief OF the army and navy of the
United States, has power, under the constitu-
ton and laws of the United States, to provide
at the present time, in some mode, for your
protection, We do not know where it can be
found outside Of such defence as you can make
for yourselves.
We need not advise; we are sure, without ad-
vice, that you will in no wise interfere with
or disturb the enjoyment Of any right or privi-
lsge which has been given to any person
or class of persons. That you will abstain
itom everything which can be perverted into
an interference with any meetings called by
those who may differ with you in political
questions; and that in no wise will you OBJ
struct or control the free exercise of the right
Of suffrage. At the same time We will not and
do not counsel you to forbear or abstain from
the exercise Of privileges which belong to you;
or the maintenance OF your rights to the same;
with calmness and with frmnesa. You have
the right to meet-the right to discuss-the
right to yote-the right to be secure in your
person and your property. These rights none
can deny, and none can take them away or i'm
pair the free exercise and enjoyment Of them.
adar.atior, cnrahinad with calnnaas