The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-30

zation should not have been delayed so long.
| Our people seem to be awaking from their ap-
athy; and efforts are now being made to secure
a meeting at an early day, with view to the
formation Of some such association combining
all the conservative elements) as that recently
inaugurated in Colleton, and perhaps other
portions of the State We can thus at least
form the nucleus upon which to build up the
| old Democratic party in the State, and although
possibly too late to make much impression on
the next elections (ofwhich, however, am by
| no means sure), we could still strengthen the
hands of our friends at the North, and be In
better position for contesting with the Radicals
every inch of ground hereafter. Some such
demonstration seems to be actually necessary
to proper understanding of our own position
by those friends who have heretofore acted In
concert with us, for, without it,. the action OF
the late convention goes out as the voice OF
the people of South Carolina.
RICHLAND.
The Columbia Phoenix contains full report
of the proceedings of the Richland Democratic
Club, which was organized at Columbia on
Thursday. The following are the principal
articles of the constitution:
ART. 2. The objects of the association shall
be to cooperate with the Democratic party OF
the United States, for the purpose OF .perpetu-
atiug white mans government, maintaining
the constitution and the Union, and preserving
our republican institutions, State and Federal,
in their original purity, as handed down to us
by our fathers.
ART. 9. Any free white man Of the age OF
eighteen years, a resident OF the district, may
become member by signing this constitution,
in book to be keptfo that purpose, or sending
in their letter asking membership. which let
ter shall be fled by the secretary Of the club.
The principal officers are Us follows:
President Captain VIM. B. Stanley.
Vice e-Pres,denis--John McKinzie, Joh n
Meighan, j. G. Gibbes, John Alexander, DR.. D.
W. Ray, J. G. Lykes, John Dent, w. d. Stack,
E. D. Gilmore, Preston Bookter.
Secreta,y-Richard O'Neale, Jr.
Ireasmer-George Symmers.
The proposition Of meeting at Newberry was
most heartily concurred in. and it was moved
and seconded that delegates from all the dis
tricts OF the State be invited to assemble ln
convention at Columbia on Thursday next:
The Phoenix publishes some correspondence
between Captain ]. P. Thomas and 7. ]. Rob-
ertson. Captain Thomas led off on the 25th
instant and said:
In the address you made last evening to the
colored serenaders, am I correct in affirming
that you said, in effect, Us follows: That your
hearers must mark every man who goes up to
attend the Democratic meeting called Tor
Thursday next; that such men we're no friends
of theirs; that if they dared they would enslave
the colored man again tomorrow; that they
conceded no rights ,chdteuer to the black man.
Permit me 20 say that I, private citizen id
dress myself to you as one who is now In public
life, and that T desire to be satisfied that
have not misrepresented your remarks.
In reply Mr.. Robertson says:
NV reply is: That do not remember the
precise words that I used, but they were to
this effect: That the Democrats were the po-
litical enemies of the colored man, and the
party to be organized here on Thursday next
(26th) would deprive them OF their political
rights if they could do so on tomorrow, which
would be worse than slavery-the ballot beng
their only protection, DC.
Captain Thomas rejoined in long letter, in
which he denies the truth Of the assertions
made by Mr.. Robinson, and declares that the
South does not desire to re-enslave the negro,
and that the South is prepared to concede to
the colored people whatever rights they may
be entitled to under high and enlightened
view Of what humanity may suggest.