The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-04-10
Grand Rally or the Democratic Party
OF Richland District.

LARGE MEETING OF WHITE AND COLOR
ED PEOPLE.
Agreebly to the public notice,
large number of both classes of our
people assembled last evening, on
Court House Square. Colonel j. P.
Thomas first addressed the meeting.
He congratulated the people present
upon the opportunity before them of
taking council together. 1t was meet
that at time like this, when the
destiny of the State was trembling in
the balance, that good and wise men
of all classes should agree upon O
line of policy that might bring peace
and harmony to our distracted State,
and restore her to her former pros
perity. He reminded the colored
people of the effort made by the
whites, in June, 1865, to harmonize
with them in political action, and
claimed that they had gone astray
after false gods, under tho teachings
of radical emissaries, and had them
selves established q snd antagonism
between the two races. He called
upon them now to reconsider their
course, and resume their confidence
in their own people. Tonight, said
he, we again hold out propositions of
peace and good will. Before inflict-
ing upon the State ruinous Consti-
tuition, he called upon the colored
men to pause. Think not, he re-
marked, that the Southern whites are
weak. Remember. You stand in the
South with regard to the whites
1000, 900 to 100000, and in the
| whole country as 1000, 900 to about
10000, 600. The strength was with
us; and if, hs remarked to the color
ed men, you ire sustained by the ra-
dicals North, bear in mind that the
Democrats South were supported by
the National Democratic party-a
party winning political victories day
after day, and now in steady columns,
moving on to rescue the country
from radical misrule. In conclusion,
he hoped that his hearers would heed
the words they were going to hear,
and that those words would have the
effect of bringing all together in just
and equitable and peaceful political
action.
Colonel Thomas then introduced
Capt. Bachman, one of the nominees
for the Legislature. He addressed
himself particularly to the colored
men; referred to the meeting, one
year ago, when he was requested to
address them. He echoed then what
Gen. Hampton said to the colored
men, and he entertained the same
feelings now. He hoped they would
listen to reason. Referring to tho
late war, he said the people of the
North never mentioned the colored
man, but declared the war was "for
the Union" Emancipation wos the
unavoidableresult. Many colored men
were induced to enter the Northern
army, and they were put in the front
of the fight. The colored men were
uSed then, and Northern adventurers
desired to use them now at the ballot
box. The speaker declared that the
Southern whites could never forget
the colored people for their faithful
ness, when all the young men were
absent in the army. The Convention
in Charleston was composed of but
fifty white men principally from the
North) and about sixty colored men.
After voting themselves extra high
pay-eleven dollars a day-and after
n lengthy session, adopting an objec-
tionable Constitution, they very mag
namin ously nominated themselves for
all the principal offices. The home
stead and other clauses Of the Con-
stitution were referred to, and their
many imperfections pointed out. He
thought that the radicals should pro-
vide for their Office seekers at home,
! nnd Loo 10 10 Ia ,aaanacxo e. ;,.c La