The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-10-29

THE ISSUES OF THE PRESIDENII-1L
CzEY4SS, rs THEY -4FFECT THE
SOUTH, DISCUSSED.
Speech of Colonel j. p. Thomas, delivered
at Laurens Courthouse. s, c., October
~, 1865.
Fello,o- Citizens of Ldurens-Agreeably to
your invitation, I arise to discuss the issues OF
the canvassm which the country is engaged.
regret that cannot bring to the discussion
q larger political experience and more lnnu-
entail name. But this 7 may claim, that no
one can have keener perception thar OF the
MAGNITUDE of the issues involved, or more
determined resolution to seek such solution
Of the problem before US as Will conduce 10 the
best interests Of our old commonwealth. -,
First, tellow-citizens, let me state that this
great question now before US is not one OF
mere politics. It is question OF honor, OF
civilization, OF tone, OF manhood. 1t is ques-
. ton involving the interests of property. 1t Is
question that reaches to the hearthstone,
and that includes within its scope the noblest
sympathies Of our nature. 1t is a cause that
woman, in her purity, is deeply concerned IN;
that man, in his strength, will sternly uphold;
that God, in HIS providence, will bless. II
must sooner OF later prevail, for 1t IS founded
upon O rock. Allow 1ne to add that no greater
cause ever called forth the military or civil en-
ergies Of our people. AS that mountain rises
far higher than the surrounding mountains,
so does this cause exceed in magnitude all KIN
dred causes. And it will stand, and in vain
will the waves Of Radicalisra beat against 1t.
1t viii stand, repeat,
..IiSe some tall cliff that lifts its awful foim,
Spreads to the vale or midway meets the storm;
Though round its breast the r. ling clouds ore
spread,
Fellow-citizens, it has been said:
.eIruth crushed to earth viii rise again,
The eternal years Of God are hers;
But Error wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies among his wershippers
That 'struth crushed" come to vindicate to-
day. and that ''error wounded" shall, II pos
sible, quicken its dissolution.
II has been remarked by another poet: SLook
not mournfuliy irto the past-it comes not
back again. Act wisely in the present-lt Is
thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future
without fear, and with manly heart" -.
In this spirit address You, my fellow-cltl-
zens, to-day. believe TINT philosophy to De
the best which is the most practical-which
cepts the results Of accomplished facts, and
wisely moulds existing elements for the honor
and the interests of the State. No man, trust,
is truer than to the past of South Carolina
no one appreciates more highly than the
great names that adorn the history OF the
State; but hold that new departure In the
policy OF the State is demanded by the e1igen-
cies Sf the times, We must ''let the dead past
bury the dead" realize the issues OF the day,
and 'sgo forth to meet the shadowy future
without fear and with manly heart" Again,
it has been said:
"He is gem in tie disdem bright
That widens The circle of pelce.
Who stilleth the waters of angry strife,
And giveth goodwill long lease"
In this spirit, also, I 81 eak this day. I ad-
dress you, my fellow. citizens, in the interest OF
peace, and of party OF peace. II have read
histo.y Alright, 1t has taught me that all great
political reforms are best effected by peaceful
instrumentality. Wien the sword is invoked,
too frequently does it fail to accomplish the
objects in view, and too often are the conque-
rors and the conquered involved iu that great
reaction which, in the political as well as IN the
material world, is the sequence OF violent ac-
ton. My proposition is illustrated in the case
Of Eugland-'that old and naughty nation
proud in arms See how long the English
constitution has breasted the storms Of time,
and withstood the waves Of popular feeling.
Long has it been since the sword has been
there resorted to in the settlement Of political
questions. And yet, the people Of England,
under the leadership Of able reformers, have
been marching quietly, peaceably, and yet
steadily to the attainment OF their Just rights.
Step by step, we find the people moving to the
consummation OF great reforms through peace
ful agencies.
Again, all human action is wisest and best
when most nearly assimilated by divine action.
And here etme suggest the quiet, unseen, To-
divine economy. See how the seasons sue
ceed each other See how "winter lingering
chilIs the lap OF May" Observe how, in the
main, God works, and let us learn the lesson
Of political wisdom that the observation sug-
gests. Hence, congratulate myself, fellow
citizens, upon the fact that I am called upon to
ask you to engage in no cause involving "the
widows mghs, the orphans tears, the infants
trembling cry" Congratulate myself that l IN
vite you to enlist under no crimson banner. And
I am sure that we will all Join in the hope that
no Alexander will be necessary to cut, with his
flaming sword, the Gordian knot of our politi.
cal complications. By peaceful means it is
our necessity and our desire to consummate
our political reforms.
Fellow-citzens, I speak to you to-day also i'll
behalf Of the great Democratic party Of the
country. This is the great historic party of
tie land-a party which has ruled the republic
for seventy-iye years out OF the ninety OF its
existence, and which has given TO it all it has
achieved of prosperity at home and glory
abroad. 1t is q party which has ever stood by
the erights Of the States and the liberties of the
individual citizen. Ii is party that looks to
the protection Of minorities. 1t is party now
purer in principles and higher in tone than
ever before. 1t is a party that seeks to BRING
the government back 10 the landmarks of the
constitution, and that aims to establish for the
people liberty regulated by law. It is party
worthy of our confidence and support in an
especial degree, for it comes to the rescue Of e
mutilsted constitution and to the relief Of cur
outraged section. Let me urge you, therefore,
my countrymen, TO gather around the glorious
banner of the National Democracy-to make
its ample folds wave with the breath OF o gen
erous enthusiasm, to carry it through the
camp aud into the stronghold of Radicalism,
and to plant it upon the klndkng SUBMITS OF
success.
And now, fellow-citizens, having indicated
the general principles in the spirit of which
intend to consider the questions Of the hour,
allow me briefly to allude to the spirit of the
party in this State and in the whole country.
Since the CANVASS began, it has been my privi-
lese to address many thousands of my fellow
citizens from the mountains to the river, and
can assure you that the great Democratic
heart of South Carolina is stirSed to its pro-
foundest depths. The fires of eMocracy have
been kindled from the hills Of the up-country
to the plains of the seaboard, and the manhood
of the State is aroused to the exigences of the
day. Everywhere the white people at least
are rallying in their might, and the spirit has
gone forth that it is the province of Carolinians
to control the political destinies of Carolina;
and that South Carolina, won from tho To-