The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-11-04
For The Anderson Intezl,qeneer.
EoUAL1ry, S. c., Oct. 80,

For the Anderson Intell,gencer.
EoUALlry, S. c., Oct. 80, 1868.
Mr.. Editor: Byinvitation from Richard Fletcher
and others, in company with two of the white cii
zens of the neighborhood, (Messrs f. Nj. Glenn
and Maj. L. Newton 1 attended 5 meeting lof
colored people, oday, at Macedonia church, snear
Mrs. Genn's, called for the purpose Of taking
counsel among themselves as to what course they,
the colored people, had best pursue in the an
proaching Presidential election.
On motion, Richard Fletcher was called to the
chair, who, in plain, forcible and practical
manner, explained the objects of the meeting he
was followed by Moses Crews and others, in turn,
until each colored man present had expressed his
views and opinions, plainly and candidly, in refer
ence 10 the colored people in theapproac6ing cleo.
tion
After some remarks by the white men present,
vote was taken on the question, as to how many
of the coored people present preferred to vote for
Seymour and Blair; how many present for Grant;
and how many preferred to remain neutral, not
taking part either way? There were eight pres
eni. and when the question was put one stepped
to remain neutral. Afterwards, tthetwo following
resolutions were proposed and adopted as the sense
of the colored people present:
Resolped AS the sense of this meeting, it is the
duty and interest of the colored people of this.
State 10 unite with the whites, in elections, until
we place the Government of our State in the hands
of the good and true men of our commonwealth,
and thus secure economical administration of
80 ~-hs sah h. --nA
man, equally with the whito man, is alike deeply
ntercsted-and thus promote the prosperity of
our common country, and the peace and harmony
ofour people.
ResolDed That while we do not intend to.atiach
ourselves TO either of tie poiear parties t pres
ent existing, yet we believe it would be to the in
terest Of all classes Of our citizens to vote for Sey
mour and Blair in the approaching Presidential
election, thus securing unity of action among our
selves at home, and promoting thereby, as we be-
lieve, the best interests of our country.
Now, Mr.. Editor, the results of this meeting,
though small in numbers, has developed the i'm
portant truth, that the intelligent colored menofour
State are becoming satisfied that they committed
great mistake, in committing the government of
our State the hands of foreigners and strangers
and are now disposed TO unie with the whites,
especially in State elections until the government
Of the State is again placed in the hands Of the
good and true men of our own citizens. They,
the colored people, feel MS we do, that the system
of government which has been adopted for our
State by those strangers and foreigners, is entirely
unsuited TO the necessities of o,rr people, and
peciay tint.the reckless eztrnvagance of our lstc
Legislature, in creating host of Offices with
large salaries; to feed and fattcn OH the hard
earnings of, our impoverished people, and in de-
vising new and expensive schemes of education, OF
police. of taxation, have evinccd utter disre-
gard: Of the best interests of all classes of our
citizens, and m utter incnpacity to administer the
government of our State. so as to promote the
general good of all our people:
Another important fact Mr. Editor, was devel-
,oped by this meeting, which ought to be known.
1t is. that they, fhe cOlored people, appreciate
kindness and fair dealing on the part of the
whites, and that such course of conduct will ul-
timately enlist their sympathies in our behalf.
At the very spot of ground where this meeting
was held, stands new and comfortable log house,
erected by the colored people for preaching and
in every possible way, has given them his ccunte-'
nance and encouragement in these laudable un-
dertakings And in this, course of conduct, Mr..
Glenn has the sanction of the white citizens gen.
orally of that neighborhood. Mr.. Glenn, however,
maintains, by the terms Of the original contract.
such control as to- prevent this sanctuary of the
living God ever being perverted to political pur-
poses, and would not consent that the meeting re-
ferred to should be held IN the church, slough it
was near by.
Thus, Mr.. Editor, I have given you hasty
sketch of meeting of colored people, which,
though small and insignificant in numbers, and
like the little cloud not bigger than mans hand,
yet may be the harbinger of an entire revolution
in political sentiment of the colored people of the
State, which, in Gods own good time, may bring
deiverance and happiness 10 our now distracted
and oppressed people. May God speed the good
work. Respectfully yours,
THos. II. RUSSELL.
IT,. fouou,r nou,.u,,,l, 20 oo;,,,, tl n ro,n,l,,