The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-18
CHI ES TON.
TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 1s. 1868.
The Antagonism ofRace-Black against
White.

The Antagon1sm ofRace-Black against
White.
In South Carolina there are about eighty
thousand colored men who have the privi-
lege of voting, and this grand Republican
srmy, which has had the political control
OF the State, has succeeded in securing for
one colored man-Cardosa-s high and re-
sponsible position. The colored men could
elect men Of their own race to any Office in
South Carolina; but they show their disin-
terestedness by electing white judges, white
sheriffs, white clerks Of court, white Uni
ted States senator's and white United States
representatives. They are the physical
strength, while the white Radicals repre-
sent neither honesty, property, nor intelli-
gence, nor the power of holding q plough.
4 Yet the colored men allow the hearts Of
their colored chieftsins-Whipper, Wright,
Ransier, Elliott, Nash and DeLarge-to grow
sick with the hope deferred sof their pay,
as members Of the Legislature, while such
weak or criminal white Radicals as Bowen,
SAWYER, MOSES, CoRIEY and Goss enjoy
the solid sweets of Office, and grow fat upon
the spoils which should have fallen to the
share of their darker but more straightfor-
ward brethren. 80,
It was time for this to end, unless the
negro was were to become an everlasting
puppet in the hands Of the sdventurers and
renegades, and the passage, by one branch
Of the Legislature, Of the bill to prevent
discrimination on account Of color, is an in
dication that the colored men are at last
determined to enjoy all the advantages to
which their numbers and votes entitle them.
The bill was expected to excite some opposi-
ton and the debate was hot and fierce; but
the plain question Of black against white was
at issue, and, with Eve exceptions, the whole
of the colored members voted in favor Of
the bill. 80,
During the debate, which was published
in full in TIE NEWS of yesterday, express
sions fell from the lips of the speakers,
which show beyond doubt what are the
purposes Of the opposing wings Of the Rad
ical party.
/ Bozeman, colored, who opened the debate,
said that te.the issue was q vital one and
sishould be settled at once" William E.
johnson, colored, who followed him, said:
"Perhaps on some future day I shall come
''here to Columbia, and there may not be
ssany private boarding house, and being
ssgentleman, may call at Nickerson's Ho.
"tel. If do go don't want to be refused.
81 want the right and privilege Of going
ssinto that house, no matter who it is kept
.iby, and having myself cared for as well
eas any other guest Of che house." This
was distinct and emphatic enough, and Mr..
FERR1THR, Of Sumter, one Of the class usu-
ally called scalawags, planted himself in
opposition. He said: "The moment this
'.matter becomes g. question Of color it will
"drive great portion Of the white Repub-
s.icans. out of the party, it will array race
ssagainst race, and furnish the best argument
..that the Democratic party can use. Itmay
'destroy hotels altogether, and interrupt
stevery species Of business which depends
'for its life upon license. Why should South
.sCarolinn go in advance Of Massachusetts, ?
stWhen tkis bill is brought to vote there
ssare white men on this floor who will not
shave the msnliness to oppose it." De-
Large, enc of The mulatto members, called
Mr.. FERRITER to order because he spoke of
members as "sskite men," Mr.. FERR1TEn
said "The member may find as much fault
"as he pleases; but l tell him that the day
ssthe question is made one Of color I shall
stake sides with my own race. I will not
''register my vote in favor Of springing so
sssuddenly an issue fraught with disastrous
s.results. You have only temporary ma
sjority. There is no emigration from
"Africs, and your population increases but
s'slowly, while the white man with wealth,
'intelligence and energy, every day adds to
"the strength and influence Of his race.
"You are, therefore, engaged in most dan
sgerous procedure. My advice is, let this
"bill alone. ! shall vote against it."
DeLarge, shrewd mulatto, who pretends
to be firm friend and ally of the white
people, followed Mr.. FERR1TER, showing by
his words that he, too, had given way, and,
with natural instinct, espoused the cause of
his race. he said, the argument used by
the preceding speaker s'is an appeal 10
"every colored man on this floor to vote for
"the bill without hesitation or modification.
"He has driven in the very wedge he seems
'to dread 30 much" George Lee, another
colored man, came next in support of the bill,
his principal argument being that when the
Legislature went to Greenville some time
ago ON an excursion, the members had no
place to which to 60 for lodging. R. B.
Elliott, another negro, said: ''That gentle
"man (Mr. FERR1rER) has drawn distinct
cline between the races on this floor He
"has told US that when the issue is made be-
/ - ,b;ko n - ~ o.1..ol