The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-07-22

with ourselves. 1t will prove illusory to
rely upon help emanating from any other
source. Intelligence and wealth have here
tofore. in all sections of the Union, sooner
or later controlled the votes of the igno-
rant and dependent, and in time the same
result will follow.
That the colored vote should have sus-
tanned the Republican party, i'll the recent
elections, is not surprising, especially when
it is remembered that the party was solid
ifed by the organization Of another party,
whose principles, as avowed, looked to
the reputation, or at least to the abrlde-
ment of the elective franchise, which Con-
gress has granted to the colored man.
When he was called upon TO cast his ballot,
and tile issue presented was to sustain the
party which had first proclaimed his free
dom, enacted the Freedman's Bureau and
Civil Rights bill, which had extended to
him the right of universal suffrage, and
was then Struggling to maintain its exis-
tence against the party, which in Congress
and elsewhere had opposed all these
privileges-when to vote in opposition to
Republican ideas, was to voluntarily re-
nounce the elective franchise so much
esteemed as . public boon--it was not at
all surprising that the ballot Of the colored
man was cast, nearly as a unit, against the
advice and influence of the great majority
of the white population of the Southern
States. When this question Of suffrage is
settled, he will learn that his best friends
and safest advisers, are those with whom
from childhood he has been associated in
the various relations Of life. Many of the
colored people will soon begin to acquire
property, and they will at once appreciate
the identity of political and personal inter-
est between themselves and the white race.
This interest, combined with disappear
ance Of that prejudice and dlstrust which
now exists, will, if they are kindly and
fairly treated, induce them heartily to CO.
operate with tbs whites, in imposing such
restrictions upon the right OF suffrage, as
will secure society against tumult, disor-
der and vicious legislation. To the white,
and to the intelligent colored man alone,
therefore, and to no external power do
look for 4 limitation of the right of suffrage,
and it's establishment upon the basis Of an
educational property qualification. Should
they fail, however, they will control and
direct the vote Of the ignorant, and thus
welfare of the State
The evils of universal suffrage, which
have already largely developed themselves,
| will in q few months teach the colored
race the most instructive lessons, especially
in those Districts in which they have a
majority. The ambition of Adventures OF
their own race, and the love Of notoriety
possessed by many natives, have induced
! large Plumbers of them to become candi-
date, for offices, Legislative, ministerial and
judicial. w hen called upon to perform the
various duties of these Offices, it will be
found that their lack OF education, intorma
ton, experience and training will utterly
disquality them from holding positions 50
responsible Asa consequence, the country
will he oyerrun with inefficient and incom-
petemt officers, aud the public interest am!
ihc peace of society will alike be leopard
izcd by their lncapacity. The lAeritorious
and inteligrn, Of the colored population,
whose interests are Identified with those
of the white race, will themselves soon
appreciate these facts, and realize the grave
mistake that has been made i'll eevatng to
position class OF persons untitled therefor.
They Will likewise perceive that the evil
can only be corrected by restricting the
privilege OF the ballot box to those who
have intelligence sufficient to enable them
to Judge Of the fitness and capacity Of
those who may aspire to represent them?
Hence this class will be prepared to unite
chcertully with the white race i'll imposing
the restriction which experience will de-
monstrate to be necessary.
y corrupt magistrate, or an ignorant
constable, has it in his power sorely TO
annoy and Cypress the poor-those whose
contracts are limited to small sums, and
upon whom mainly the jurisdiction Of off
GERS Of this Grade, viii he exercised. An
incompetent sheriff involves his sureties in
ruin. entails loss upon parties who have
executions in his hands, and harnesses The
public by AN Inefficient discharge of his
duties. The same remark applies to all
other officers. Experience has demon
strated that there can be no greater curse
| inflicted upon community than inconlpe
tent officials, to whom is entrusted the
expounding and enforcement of the law,
and the preservation of peace. The first
and heaviest sufferers under the existing
condition Of affairs are likely to be the
colored people themselves.
The Reconstruction acts have given to
the five Military Commanders almost alb
solute power in the Southern States. The
| power to enact laws by order, to remove
all classes of officers, and to appoint others,
unquestionahly constituted the military
superior to civil authority. In performing
the duties of the Executive Of the State,
therefore, have sought to avoid collision
with this assumed superior power, and
thereby secure the least interference with
| 1Ln civil ilaluiuislration of the government.