Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-08-26


cial euuality-abOut breaking up, the Reput,
lcan party, about everything else save the
question before us. Now, if he knows any
thing at all, he knows that every plank in the
Republican platform is based upon equality
before law-equality in every particular IN
which it will regulate itself Social equality
isa thing which does not enter into this
question at all, and if it did, it would be op-
posed with better taste by our side than by
him.
The gentleman has referred to suffrage in
Massachusetts,. Let me tell him there is no
distinction mode there on account of race or
co!or, nor is there single inbabitant of the
State who lives out of tue sght Of school
house. 1t is under these circumstances that
they have an educational qualification. But
there is a atute, also, which makes it crimi-
nal for any man to establish distinction OF
any kind on account Of race or color.
The gentleman has said that this measure
$. break up the Republican party. If he is
1t frankly aud openly Republican, let him
come out as did his friend from Lexington
(Mr. Lewie), and declare him.ef, So that We
may know where be stands; but while he
works with and is sustained by this party, it
becomes him as man to sustain all these
measures. of which this is one, which are
calculated to secure its integrity, increase its
strength, and enlarge its influence.
Now was NOT one Of those who accom-.
panied the excursion 10 GreeDVille short
time ago. but understand that on arriving
there the members had no place to go for q
lodging. To meet just such an emergency as
this, am anxious that this bill shsll pass,
so that those having hotels shall oe made to
pay the penalty if they deny the accomdations
which we demand. And to This end, appeal
to every Republican on the floor to pledge
himself to do equal and exact justice TO all.
That is tho essence of this bill. 1t is all we
wat; it is that which is secured to US by the
Constitution of the State and the Eeconstruc
ton Acts Of Congress, and it is what we
must have.
r. B. Elliott (colorcd). OF Barnwell. was
bne of number who doubted the expedien
cy of bringing forward this bill at the pres
ent time, but after listening to the gentleman
from Sumter, l should be recrcant to my
identity if remained in my seat. That gem
tlenau has drawn il distinct line between the
races on this floor. lie las told us that when
the issue is made between lie white and the
colcred man he will be found On tLc,sdc uf
his own race. do not blame him, bat say
that when he or any other man draws tdat
line OF distinction | also stand with niy race.
desire to notice sornc Of his reIuark>
briefly bat plainly. The gentleman alluded
to suffrage in Massachusetts, a State which,
thank God, am able to claim as the place
Of my nativity. He tells US that we have an
ID .catona! qualification connected with the
suffrage there. Either he forgot or purposely
refraincd 10 tell US why. Prior to the year
1857 Massachusetts allowed universal sui
lrage. Every man was citizen. After tue
Republican party sprang in!o life and in its
buyhoud grappisA the Democratic gian, ti.e
people with whuul the gentleman is id.r i
lied (the IriSh) began to be i'm ported. They
We're worse than the slaves of Africa, AMI
were found tn BE- willing tools in the lllllis of
q Copperhead aDsmocracYr that would hnse
crushed me aud my people, and aniagonized
the d ,ciaratiun cf Independence. that all uen
are born flee and EQUAL and endowed by heir
Creator with Certain inaiienable rights Fi"d
Ing This condi;5n uf affairs. tae Leg;s allure
Vt Massachu ei;s passed u law that no nun
should be allowed 10 vo:e unless be coui
read and w:le. We found that mary wsIe
debarred tha. privilege BECAUSE they bad
come from the Sa,nps and boys Of Ireland.
| AIN glad, i.u@evc:, t" be able to sly there
were few li,cn Of my IDENTITY in MasSachu
sets deprived OF such y bpou by such cau:e.
Il WAS With bad sasre, therefore, that the
gentleman from Sumter drew such line of
distinction But sine. the issue has b"en
made accept it. and much as doubted the
expediency Of considering this bill, l shall
now press it and vote for il, with all my e.er.
~. Ii necessary will nakeit stronger, aud
S and upon the consequences.
The gentleman says it is we who are array
ing race agairst race. l deny it. The Till
nte,nplalrs nothing of the kird. Il treats
onY of public carriers, OF persons engaged
in public business, requiring icei Sc; AID |
a X the gentleman from Sumter, if We cpuld
do less as legislators than provide that pn dis
tinctinn Shall be made sgains. us? Would
il n 1t he 81 bad ta.ie for us To dehar ourselves
from the enj ymeot of privileges we create
for others?
Mr.. Speaker, I hope that every man IN this
no"r VIII claims to b. 3 Republican will snic
l,r hi. bill. Twill not insult tie digrity of
tae House by appealing 10 race. Or asking a
man to vote ior it because he is either white
or black but ask him Simply on tie ground
that the Iae*.ure is right, and proper, and in
accord with he principles iavolycl in the
whole schem. of reconstruction.
Mr.. Stocber, of Marion (whitc). | am
Republican and have the principles Of the
party as much at heart as any man, but,
nevertheless, deem it inexpcdient to force
this bill at the present time, or until the fall
elections have taken place. Shall not,
therefore, vote in favor ut it.
Rev. B. T. Jackson (white). Mr.. Speaker,
am not surprised at my difficulty in obtain
ing the floor on this question. 10 my mind
it is one of lhe most vital issues that can be
presented either in this Stale Or in the Union.
Hence, it is not surprising that it has awaken
ed SO much discussion and excitement. My
heart is this morning reioiced by the thought
that am member of the Republican party
the citizen of nation the governn ent of
which is based upon the rights of man rs man.
Our .refalhers came here from the old coun-
>, in the midst of winter, suffered all the
hardships Ct New England CLINE at that
Indictment season, and exposed their lives to
the vengeance of the savage, that they mitht
create colony where the rights of man could
be recognized, acknowledged and e;joYed.
From that colony has sprung up people
from that people nation; from that seed
! tree which has overshsdowed all tn /, land.
The principles then planted We enj y 10 day.
We are now told that these principles are not
to be realized; that we must not represent
and acknowledge the fruit which has bten
growing for two hundred years !; that we must
not legislate 10 accordance with the great prin.
ciples Of fAmerican liberty and justice, which
are the result of these early struggles. We