Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-10-14
LETTER FROM HON. G. D. TILLMANN.
Woon, G n Olaf Sent I860

WoopLAwN, S. c., 2lst Sept, 1858.
DR.. ). II. JENxIxGs and W. L. PARKS. Com
mittee,-Gentlemcn Iregret that positive prom
ises made three weeks ago to address large DEM
ocrstic gathering at Huiets Store 25th inst, will
preyeSdtne from accepting your complimentary
inYJ sa.i9 to speak tho same day to the Dark Cor
ne1 Clutt Plum Branch. 1t dcepeus my regret
70 remember tbat urgent private business COM
pelled mo to forcgo the pleasure Of complying
with former, special request to address your
Club.
But although cannot attend your meeting in
person. ye. can be there in spirit, as have been
with your Club for some time. Without wishing
to be invidious, or cuiming to bo conversant with
the conduct Of many Democratic Clubs in the
State, must fay that the general course of the
Dark Corner Club commands my approval more
thoroughly than that Of any Club with whose
proceedings am acquainted.
There is but one thing, in which take leave
seriously to iifsr with you. THAT is in white men
assisting to form Negro Democratic Clubs. and
soldering negroes to vote the Democratic ticket.
But it may be that am wrong in ohjec,ing to
thi., as moat of the leading men in the State seem
to countenance it-in fact to urge it.
Devotion to principle, not policy, in affairs of
Government. has hitherto justly been the proud
est boast of South Carolina. The high example
of our fathers in this regard, is worthy Of all i'm
itaton now more than ever. 1t is adversely
which gives the best test of tho true character of
nm individual, or State. By following in thepain
footsteps of those who have gonc before US, We
can never be lost in tangled web of policy which
might make ourselves, aswell as our chi 'dren,
wish t., forget tho record VIC produce under the
trying ordsal of the Reconstruction Acts.
We maintain that these Acts are unconsttution-
al in the whole, and 10 every part Their most
prominent feature is to confer suffrage upon every
negro at the S"uth. BY asking II negro to vo's
the Democratic ticket we directly admit his right
to vote the Radical ticket, ard thereby recognize
the validity Of the Reconstruction Acts. In my
Judgment our true con!se is to adcis- and coerce
the negro by every proper means not to vote az aH
The negro vote is not necessary to our success
in the Congressional elections, as the Democrats
ut The North ure sure to elect minority Of Rep
resentaiivcs from their secliun, which will ennble
us successfully contest the seats of the Carpet
Baggcrs. If the Democrats at the North fail to
secure a majority Of Representatives, then the
Carpet Baggers will be seated any way, no matter
though Democrats may have been declared elected
here. How many Democratic Representatives,
fairly elected, have been ousted by radical con-
testsnts in the present Congress?
Nor can The negro vote avail US in the Prcsi-
Dental election. The existing Congress, sitting
in joint Convention, and presided over by honest
Ben Wude, will have sole, exclusive and final
p over to declare for what Presidential candidate
the vote of any Staie North or South, shall be
counted. There can be no appeal from this count
except to the sword, as 1t is entirely political
question with which the Supreme Court can have
nothing to do. Even if Democratic Presidential
Electors be declared elected at the South, and
they should forward ballots for Seymour to Wash
ington, how easily, and bow certainly, can and
will the Radical candidates for Electors, claim
LnuI tucy hVto oicCtcuS anu aIsV iuInATu "hiiots
Which latter Wade and his crew will count for
Grant if they dare do it. The present Congress
will have the Same unlimited power to declare
the next Presidential Election that the next Con-
gross viii have to declare who have been elected
members Of that body. Nothing but q crushing
md overwhelming defeat of Grant at the North
leaving the South out of view will prevent the
present Radical Congress from counting as many
of the Electoral votes of the South for Grant as
they may think ft
Hence think 1t rests with tho North to defeat,
Or elect Grant; to restore the Federal and State
Governments to their respective and proper con-
stitutional orbits, or to permanently change the
first to temporary Consolidated
Despotism, and finally to Monarchy. There
are only few Of the Northern States ready for
either Of those forms of Government at present.
have but little fear Of the Democratic party
at the North failing to carry the next Federal
Elections Every thing looks as favoraby for
o conservative triumph Us We could reasonably
expect. 1t will be time enough for Southern men
to elsctioneer with negroes for votes when it has
pecqme . 6Ssd faet tbet aegspea caa ssgeilyypts'