Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-01-22
South Carolina Radical Negro Conven-

CHARLESTON. Jan. II.

Th, Convention elected under tue provis-
ions Of the Reconstruction Acts Of Congress
assembled MT ,he Club House, Meeting street,
il this city, at u ". to-day.
The space SIT apart f,r spectators was
deu'e.y crowded by coorcd visitors, not more
than five OF SIX whites being in attendance.
The Convention was called to ORDER by Mr..
Timo;hy Hurley, a delegate from Berkeley
DiSt"ic;, who moved that Mr.. I. j. Robertson,
oi Richl,nd, be requested 10 actas temporary
Oh h,i:mla.
The motion was c:r:ied with but one dis
sentiog voice '''' -. :"
Mr. Robertson, on taking Tie Chair, ad-
dressed the Convention as follows:
Gentlemen IF tie Conc;ntion:-We, the
delegates OF the loyal people Of South Caro-
i;1a are assembled here for the purpose oi
r,,s,.,riug ouriState to her proper relations in
The Federal Union. s'-.
L. becomes US to frame jlst and liberal
Constitution that will guarantee eqaal-rights
TO all, regardless Of race, color or previous
condltiou-a Constitution which will comply
with the II C obstruction Ac:s Of Compress
the; cby nsui"g our speedy admission into
th> union.
trust there will be 20 class legislation
here. l hope we will act tremendously
prMaptly jui cious'y and in such a mannel
as will reflect credit on ourselves, aud secure
TIE cor6denc. ef5the people Of he State
whom we represent. BY your Kind assistance
hope to speedily organize this Convention
". j. Mcliinlay, (nec-o) Of Orangeburg
was elected Temporary Secretary.
The Secretary then read the cfiical Order
li,.o -b
gothic. in this city on Tuesday, l4th January
1868 s;2
rae roll Of the Delegates WAS called by
Froa Eagefeld, R. B. Elliot, tcolored,) }
Prince r. Rivers, tcolored,) John Bonum,
(c,lored,) David Harris, lcolored,) Frank
Arnim, were present, and answered to Their
nainaS
Nincty-two delegates having answered, the
President announced & quorum present, aud
the Convention ready for business.
Alter several resolutions were offered in re-
gard to the election of permanent officers oi
tn. bodv all Of which were lost, Mr.. Duncan
moved that Committee on Credentials con.
sis.ing Of one from esca district, be- appointed
by tie Chair, which was carrsd
The Chairman then appointed the Commit
tee in accordance with the Restitution
Fra k .Arnim being appointed from -Edgeheld,
The Comnitte, tn N retired.
Mr.. Bowen moved that the Convention ap-
point John E. Pinckney and Peter Miller,
(both co,ored, temporary SeTgeantsat-Arms.
OH cion being made to the transaction OF
bus,ae>s during the absence OF the Committee,
t e roion uas Withdrawn. - Z"
,'n III zion Of William Mckinlay, Secreta'
ry, the Convention ok q recess for three
GA re.assembli Nr. Duncan, Chairman,
m4i. verbal rupcrt OF the Committee on
Cr.l,n-iels, s;a,iay that the Cpmmit.ee ex
:.;:i;ied first Tie credentials Of eaca ot It's Own
ncin5er$, anl appointed a Chairman and
Secretary. Flnl:ng their cred d,utisls correct,
,.cy then cai!e,! in the del, gates from other
districts, Examined their credentials, which,
on being proved, were sign,d by the Chair
man and Secretary underneath the official
Signature o; General Candy. This signature:
or D, lag shown 10 the duorkecp.r, lobe Ia
ken as evidence tha: the bearer is :. member,
and eatitled to admission in the Convention.
Ary member arriving afterwards must be
identified By the Chairman and Secretary Of
the Committee, which proposed to continue
its organization until all the members had
arrived, or there was no further necessity Tor
their services.
On motion of delegate Barnes the report
Of the Committee was adopted.
T. L. Cardcza moved that q Committee Of
one from each district be elected BY the men,
bers of each respective district delegation TO
constitute Committee 10 nominate suitable
officers Tor the permanent organization of The
Convention. He thought it essential to their
success that there should be a thorough and
complete canvass for officers to fill those im.
porisat positions. Upon thepermanent Pres.
dent would depend much Of the dignity and
success of their legislation. He hoped there
would be no smaller number appointed, as
it would in that case be very apt to form a
clique. One from each delegation he felt sure
must give more satisfaction and be attended
with better results.
Mr.. Hurley moved that the Convention
proceed to nomination at large, which was
lost. 'p-
Before taking the question on the previous
motion. Dr. Newell moved that the Conven
ton adjourn to meet tomorrow a: twelve
o'clock, which was carried.
CHARLESTON, Jan. Is.
The Convention assembled at u NJ, and
was called to order By the temporary Presi
dent, T. ]. Robertson.
The proceedings We're opened with prayer
by the Rev. B. F. Randolph, (colored.)
DR.. A. 6. Mackey w:s unanimously elected
permanent Pre,dcat OF the Convention, and
q Committee of Three appointed to apprise
him Of his election, and conduct him to the
Chair.
d.. Mackey was then conducted to the
Chair and introduced by the temporary
President, Mr.. Robertson, to the Convention.
The President elect then addressed the
Convention as follows:
Gentlemen of tile COnreatioa While !
return you my thanks for the honor that You
have conferred on me, by selecting me to
preside over Jour deliberations, confess, that
assume the Chair with great diffidence as
to my capability to discharge its duties. l
can, however. safely promise determination
10 perform the important task with the strict
est impartiality, and with all the judgment
in my power.
The position in which your kindness has
placed me, will necessarily preclude me from
general participation in the debates Of the
house, aud will condemn me to silence on
many questions, on which, if were on the
f3or, would wish to be heard You will
perhaps, therefore, pardon me, it 1 take the
present occasion, once for all, to define my
position and to express my sentiments on
some of the great topics, which are now agi-
ta;ing our country.
Tie Convention in which we are now sit
ting is marked by two peculiarities. which
have distinguished no other Convention that
has preceded it in South Carolina-pecu.
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