The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-04-01


disposed to deni with those lately our
slaves! Do you feel that you have superi-
or c'aims over us because Of moro humane
anu generous treatment of these reoDle
"heh we held the power over them2 | will
not say that you were worse master than
a, or g, but ] will say that there is many
christian gentlefhan In this community.
VINO was as good md gcncrotis n master. as
yourself, vino wentup to the Democratic
nnec' ing, ana has never considered it, his
duty to join tho party 10 which you have
attached your political fortunes. and out.
sido OF whose mot,led ranks you would make
the colored man believe he has no friends.
not even IN tho person Of some generous
man IN whose family he was rca~cd and
careu ior and whose memory may, TO the
freedman, bo associat ed with The kndcst
recoliccions Of u service that was never
too exaotin2, and ofa kindness which in
sickness on hcni:h never varied but, sir,
you have gonc furiher-you have permitted
Yourself IN the furry, hope, of IN I'M.
PFomptu speech, to mako the strong and
irritating declaration that these mcn-al.
luding TO tho Democratic citizens of this
community would cnslavc the oolorcd men
again tomorrow if they darcd. Give mo
leave to say that | scarcely know how 10
reply to this charge But initiating the
r,ltncss ofsfccch which led Paul to say,
y nm not mad, most noble Fcstus, blu.
speak forth the words Of truth, Of sober
ness, would remark that your statement
IS entirely unfoundcd, 80 far, at least, as il
regards the great body ofthc Southern pco
pie, They desire no re establishment of
slavery. The Democratic party advocate
no such proposition. In the Providence Of
dou, African slavery was established and
extended in tis land. II did much for the
black mam. II brought him from tho wilds
and barbnrism OF Africa, and unL,cr its uu-
spicos he was improved morally, ,nLcllcc.
tually and physically 1t placed him in
contact with The white race and, rs time
rolled on, tho colorcd people Of the Southern
States became tho most highly improved
portion of the African race in tho world. -
But amid the changes wrought in the great
conflict between tho Southern States in
convention assembled, and these CONVEX
tiohs composed Of the ablcst and trucst men
OF our section -ol men who had been pro-
mincnt in the cabinet and in The fold
giving their assent thereto. 70 say now
That any body of men, or any party at the
South, desires to .cnslayc tho negro, is n
gratuiloas assumption, unsupported by the
shadow Of evidence
But you say, also, to these men, who arc
accuctcmcd. presume, tc attach eight to
your words that thc ncn you arc caut ion.
ing them TO view with 50 jealous ri eye, are
opposed to conccding them ary rights what
ever. This YOU will perceive, sir, is
comprchcn svc statement. BuL whore is
the authority uponwhich TO base tlis sweep.
ing allegation ? Let INC suggest, that re-
marks like these do but mislcnd tho colorcd
man and cngcndcr strife If | am not mis-
taken, the men most cxtromo ut the South
and North at least advocate security TO tho
colOrcd man in life liberty and propcrty-
| boi In gh n In Il Il
cd by equal laws" But there arc many men
good and true Southern men, now ranged
under the Democratic flag in the political
contest of the country, who arc prepared to
60 further.
They accept The situation rs thcy find
IT. They find in the Southern States d, ,0OO,-
VoO oil black mcn--frcc and having equal
rights. What, now is the proper course to
adopt toward these people? 1t is to seek to
improve aud elevate them, to use their In.
Dor, IN building up our waste and burnt
placcs--to divert them from the wild vaga-
rics which they have conccivcd--io deal
conccdc TO them, on tLc basis Of merit,
whatever rights they may be entitled to,
under high ard enlightened Wow ofwhat
humanity may suggest. Wo arc in the
South, 50 far rs numbers are concerned, rs
two to one We havo the prestige of rncc-
the advantages Of brains and wcaith We
can afford to be generous md nngnanimous
10 these people. But, on tho other hand,
it itispropcr to say, hat if, rcjcc,np our
proticrs and arraying themselves against the
whites they persist in n policy of proscrp
ton and nntagonsm unon them and their
blind leaders will rest tho responsibilities
he white people of the country arc dispo.
scd to deal fairly with the colorcd man to
! give him all the rights that he can rcasona.
| bly, cXpcct--to acknowledge his fidelity in
the past Cut Tho colorcd man must re.
! member that he can never govern in tho
Sotth--c"n never pnss Fundamentally laws
! for the government c! The '@h;ie mon. In
very few Of the'Southcrn States, ho nav
obtain political supremacy for n time but
II cannot last. II will pass away with the
nrca'h OF That party whose outrageous
| course threatens lltc country, North and
South, with a muilntcd Constitution and
an era Of anarchy and strifo Tho colorcd
man hnS now to select his future and feel
ing genuine sympathy for t!rc race, sny.
IN all sincerity, that trust lie may choose
wisely Lot him seek to soar to mountain
heights Of pow aud place. and he fills
| sooner or later, stricken bird. 10 tho
ground. but lot him resume his trust in
Southern people. in whose midst Providence
has cast his lot; lo%him conino his political
aspirations TO the plane of reason and sense.
i. ana decenoy, and he ,n&y live on, valun.
7 bio. element in our midst. add to the mate
rial wealth Of this section. and promote the
harmony of the whole country.
| have, si', thus discharged Gnty which
! thought good citizenship demanded at my
hands. | am no politician, and have no
aspirations in that direction seek not tho
sntlragcs of either whito or black: Bat
rave deemed il my duty. rs luc to otruth and
hose whose views are Identical with mine,
IN TINS manner, thus coolly and fairly to
correct your misrepresentation and TO sug.
gest the tendency ofyour teaching.
Yours, respectfully,
j. p. THOMAS
NEW SwINpLE.-- a new swlndlc is said
TO have hoen started in New York c;tv