The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-06
At the commencement Of the war and in the

Az ku6 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES VI buo Wal duQ III tA0
din of battle, liberty was stricken down. At
the close OF the war he, who was the aeknowl-
edged representative Of the power Of the Unit
ed -States in peace and in war, assured us
that We should be restored to the Union
on certain conditions. One Of, these was
that We should take the amnesty oath,
another that we should recognize in the
solemn forms of law the abolition of slay-
cry. No matter what were the views and
ideas of the majority of our people on these
subjects, most Of them took the amnesty oath,
and the abolition OF slavery was formally Or
dained. We we're then quietly informed that
we wer emo nearer, in fact not as near restora-
ton to the Union as when Lee surrendered at
Appomattox. We had repealed the ordinances
our former slaves, we had taken all the re-
quired oaths; but because our leaders had ad-
vised us to do it, because it had been done so
manfully and openly, it was to be an injury
to us rather than benefit. We were, there
fore, next required by the same solemn forms
OF law to declare that almost every proml:
nent man among US, every man who had
taken an oath to support the Constitution OF
the United States, as an executive or ]u-
dicial officer, and afterwards fought for our
independence, should be perpetually dis
qualified from holding Office; that almost every
man in whom We had reposed trust and conf
dence in peace and war should be disqualified
This We regarded as dishonorable wrong and
an inexplicable shame. For we felt that it was
not the leaders, bat the great heart of the
people, right or wrong, that forced on the con-
test. We could not and would not degrade or
disgrace the men who had refused to leave the
country, and had remained to share with US
our fortune, good or evil, as it might chance to
be. The Recons truction acts were then passed,
and they have been carried out, and the elec-
tions have been held under them. But now,
lust at this time, when the Reconstruction
scheme of Congress seems about completed,
great party has arisen, formed OF gentlemen
from all parts of the country, and they have in
vited US to stand upon the Democratic plat
form.
AS for the candidates Of the Democratic par.
ty, they are the choice Of the North, the East
and the West. One OF them, the candidate for
the Presidency, is known wherever the Eng
lish tongue is spoken. His life has been con-
sistent in its purity, both in bus private ana
public relations: He is consistent. His whole
He is no trickster, no dancer on the edge OF
trifes.
The candidate for the vice-Presidency was
opposed to secession on principle. he was
true and acted up to his convictions. And now
be remains true to the other part of the DEM
ocratic platform, and enters the contest for
constitutional government.
lU uhb U66u Truly edlu Wy tAO opObnOAp WIZ
preceded me that this is a serioue struggle.
The Radical party has struggled, as no other
party ever did struggle, for power-from the
time when they made their first nomination
for the Presidency until the election Of Abra-
ham Lincoln. When Lincoln was elected they
seemed to have the game in their own hands,
but it was suddenly blocked by the secession OF
the Southern States. Blood flowed in torrents
"a national debt was piled up mountains high.
Again at the close Of the war they seemed
second time to have won their game; the cup
was again dashed from their expectant lips.
By mysterious dispensatioh Of Providence
their standard-bearer was removed, and a
Southerner placed in the Presidential chair,
and from that rime to this he has stood grand
constitutional breakwater, protecting us from
the angry waves Of Radical malignity. Their
only hope has been to impeach and hang him.
And now the Radical party is playing for the
eight years ago, but which by some mischance
they have been continually prevented from
pocketing. And they are this time determined
to move all the Gods Of Heaven, and, if need
be, all the Gods Of hell to secure success.
They are playing for power, for plunder, for
revenge, for money. They are playing for
$500, 100000 year, the greatest money stake
that men ever contended for. from The first
contest between Cain and Abel to the present
time. And, they intend, fds or ng1s, right or
wrong, to seize the stakes.
The Northern people are now fighting for
constitutional liberty, for the grand principles,
traditions and glory Of their forefathers-.for
the principles Of freedom, and for o white
mans government. They are fighting for the
principles which render sacred the memory OF
Jefferson, the immortal. They are fighting for
the principles that gave birth to the noble pub
lie spirit which actuated Pendleton In yielding
all his own we'll founded claims to the model
gentleman and wise statesman OF New York.
fhey are fighting for that noblsst declaration
of principles-the Democratic platform, which
combines every grand and noble principle that
was ever enunciated by Henry Clay, or thun.
dered forth by Daniel Webster IN the senate OF
the nation. They are fighting for every glorl-
GUS sentiment that clustered around Ashland,
or nestled in the shades of Marshfeld. They
are fighting for every principle which makes us
revere the memory of him who was "hrst IN
peace. first in war, and first in the hearts OF
his countrymen." They are fighting for every
principle that makes country dear, home sweet
and life pleasant.
And If this Is what the Northern people are
fighting for, what are we fighting forf we
are fighting to be released from oppression,
bondage and tyranny. And /, as one Amerl-
can citizen, hope that the blessing Of the gov
ernment win not hereafter be denied us be-
cause we happen to reside south Of the Poto-
mac.
have only one other remark to make, and
that is, that even under the present form OF
State government, in no election held can any
one be prevented from voting for any disquali'
fication other than that of felony. Under the
constitutional amendment, every man is entl--
tied to vote, and it is the bounden duty OF
every man to vote in the cause OF hoerty ana
constitutional government. =,
Now, gentlemen, great deal mas nee9 said n
about war, and it has been often declared that
some men in the South are even now prepared
for and contemplating war. This is all simply
Ridiculous in face Of the well-known fact that
men have been brutaly dragged from their
homes and subjected to punishment after mock o
trials before military commissions, IN tne
very presence of Confederate officers, whose
blast upon the bugle would be worth even now
n thousand menl No. gentlemen! II the
flames of war are ever kindled in this coun-
try again, they will rise far beyond, our ken.
II will come from the party who nave
dictated power, and who have power to retain
it by force as they have gained it by fraud, just
as Cesar and Cromwell, and every tyrant ano
usurper before them has done: Or II Will come
from the backbone of the Northern Democracy
who entered into the war after the country wa
engaged in it, as they supposed, for the constr
tuition and the flag; who fought with the yleN
that by short, sharp and decisive confilct they
might preserve that constitution and nag,
men who having won the conflict will not SUD
NIT to be cajoled out OF the fruits OF their VIC
tory. If there is any war it must come 1ron
one of those two parties.
The way to prevent war is to elect the mel
who represent the true interests and genus
the people. To vote for the party winch com
bines all that was noble and good IN the OF