The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-04-12
Thoughta Tor tho Colored People.

destined policy of the American Pee Pee
pie, in regard to universal suffrage.
Is this country ready, to yield to you
the same political ,Sstatus with the
white man? This is the question
which seems to us of more impor
tance--that you should fairly con-
slider and look at in all its bearing
than any other. Your own Delany
sees with g sagacious. eye, the hand
writing on the wall; and you have
heard his eloquent voice. raised in
your own behalf, warning you to be
careful how your first steps are taken
in the enfranchisemen of our people.
Read these few words Of. wisdom
from his pen? .
cit is not necessary to our claims
as Americans, nor important to the
accomplishment of that end, that a
black man at this period. be a repre-;
sentative in the national halls Of legisla-
lion. This, let me insist with en-
phasis, the nation (the American
people generally are not ready for.
And this sentiment, however unde-
sirable. must be yielded to by u.s."
In all the political movements of
the two great and powerful parties,
North and West, numbering in the
whole nearly 1000, 900 of voters,
without adding those in the South,
this one idea, as q cardinal principle,
is kept steadily in view: That this
country is not ready, for the enfran-
chisement Of your people" " The re-
corded verdict of the American peo-
pie is against it. The genius of
American liberty is against it; and
to-day you see it clearly marked out,
in the action of the Pennsylvania
Legislature, in refusing, by large
radical majority, to strike the word
white from their Constitution. This
is Stevens own State, your radical
friend. Illinois, the home of your
Lincoln, is against it. Ohio, Con-
necticut, New York. Delaware, Mary
land, Michigan, Wisconsin, Mime
sofa, California, Iowa, saying moth
ing about the Territories, are against
it. The radical leaders and your
pretended friends, if the secret of
their hearts could be read, are op-
posed to it; and no stronger proof is
needed than the resultgof your com
mission to Washington, in regard to
making nominations for Congress.
Why have you not right to sit in
the legislative hall at Washington, if
you have right to be voted for in
State affairs? Why, the answer is
very plain. IL is not 10 be-; if it was,
this is as good time to begin as any
other. Upon the plea of policy, you
are advised not to send members to
Congress, because it would excite
the prejudice of color, to the injury
of the party. Why, do you not see,
that yonr party is as strong to-day as
it ever will be; and now, if ever,
would be. the time (if they are honest
and trne in their profession of friend
ship towards you) to give you all
they promise. Beware of the wiles of
those cunning politicians, who preach
negro suffrage for the South but mono
for the North. Is citizenship less
dear to you i'll Pennsylvania than in
South Carolina? Are the boasted
privileges Of freedom only to be en-
joyed i'll the South? How do you
reconcile this strange inconsistency?
We see but one solution The power
of your radical friends is passing
away, and they imploringly appeal to
the colored people South to bolster
up their rotten and corrupt admins
tration, upon the promise that you
shall have lands, mules and Office,
and at the same time intend to de-
ceiye yon. They have not the lands
to give you; and just so sure as the
sun rises and sets, just SO sure will
all the promises of your radical
friends and allies, with the recent
monstrous declaration of Beverly
Nash-that you will get thirty acres
of land-will prove a snare and
cheat. We beseech you to ponder
| well, reflect before YOU take that step