The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-10

Resolued, That the Convention recognizes
the Importance of the matter Submitted, and
ths propriety of action being taken in relation
to it, but consider the subject as foreign to the
objects for which this Convention was caD9d
and recommends to the particular districts or
committees interested to make representation
to the proper authorities
THE NEGRO MILITARY ORGANIZATION.
MIR. A. G. Spain, of Darlington, urged the
adoption of the resolution. Statements had
been made in caucus the preceding night
which might have satisfied every member
present OF the importance of immediate &C
ton in this matter. At the request Of num-
ber Of distinguished gentlemen he would re-
peat those statements, and their truth could
be fully established. There are, said MIR.
Spain, lawless armed bands Of negroes organ
lied in every portion of Darlington District.
They muster wherever, whenever, and under
whatever circumstances they please. They say
they areeobliged to muster under penalty of
q certain fine for every neglect to do so, and
are even threatened with the penitentiary. This
is the excuse they give for every neglect OF
business. They will obey the order OF any
mounted negro to meet in any old field against
all the remonstrances Of the employer. They
have their majors, captains, ieutenants, SER
geants and other officials, whose names I do
not know, are armed and evidently organized,
although there is no authority whatever
under the present government which per-
mits such organizations to exist. These
people are utterly destitute Of character,
destitute Of intelligence, have no stake in So
ciety, and can at any time do what they please
under the full belief thaktheY will be protected
in their lawlessness by the powers that be. II
we were not in chaotic condition-if we had
any law or any law glver, or any executive OF
any law, we should know what to do. What
we, therefore, require at this moment is the
counsel and support of3our brethren in every
section Of the State, and'we were especially re-
other delegates assent Rsa. here, and to deter
mine, ifpossible, what action was necessary to
save us from the eruption Of lava ;.froIN the
broad opening mouth df this volcano.
Mr.. Cotnran, of Abbeville, said that similar
condition Of affairs existed in his oTn district.
Secret armed meetings OF negroes, threats OF
violence, midnight assemblages, and all the
accompaniments of some great design which
appears to be npenlng, have erected uneasl-
ness in the minds Of the people, and they can
see no relief that is likely to come from the au-
thorities Of the State. 1t Is gen Orally under
stood that Gen. Scott is in SYMPATHY with
these movements and that secret instructions
have been issued to leading.Iegroes to tell the
freemen to arm and organize.
Mr.. Shand,l Of Union. MIR. President: The
description Of the condition of affairs in ABB
beyille applies to other districts, and especially
to Union. In the lower portion OF that district,
where there are nine or ten negroes to every
white man, they have, for some time past,
been armed and engaged in drf. Their arms
consist of United States Springfield muskets.
Where they we're obtained no one knows. This
thing has been going on for about two months.
Negroes who are indisposed to attend their
mil 4, fyo md iy,p 10
opment, and have even heard, on good au-
thority, Of their organizing courts and impos-
ing fines, which the captain OF the concern col
lects.
One OF these musters was held about two
weeks ago, and there were present q number
of gentlemen, who reported to the citizens OF
Union what they had seen and heard: Militia
ry evolutions were practiced, and afterwards
what purported to be General Orders" we're
read. Tie negroes we're told that If employers
attempted to charge them two dollars day
for absence from the plantations, they should
be repaid at the end Of the year, and if they
were dismissed the employers would be held
strictly accountable for all damages they had
sustained. These orders John Bates, the ne
BY the authority OF General Scott. On Satur-
day last the negroes again assembled, and
from reliable information received, it was be-
lieyed that an effort would be made by them
to release prisoners from the Union jail.
Previously, however, q committee came to
Columbia and laid the matter before General
Scott, by whom an agent was sent back with
the committee to investigate the affair. In. the
absence Of this committee it was ascertained
that there was to be grand movement on Sat
urday. Armed leagues were to cross into Uni
on from Chester, NeTberry and Spartanburg.
They we're to encamp on Friday night and
march into town on next morning. I have it
from an eye witness that @ force estimated at
two hundred strong crossed Tiger River on
Friday night and recrossed it before morning.
On the arrival Of the messenger of General
Scott he sent word to Bates, the colored leader,
who soon after came accompanied by body
guard of about twenty. The agent took him
into his room at the hotel and closed the door,
o proceeding to which some OF our citizens OBJ
jected The agent replied that the instructions
of General Scott would be delivered in the pres
ence of the citizens, but that he wished the
conference with John Bates, the negro, to be
private. Bates denied that they had ever been
armed, and said that they were coming to Uni
on, but without arms, and Of course only with
peaceful DESIGNS. The messenger returned to
Columbia and reported that the people had
been unnecessarily alarmed.
I could mention other facts, but ccnfne my
self to things within the knowledge Of the citi-
zeps and of myself. These negroes say they
were 1uSLrucIeu W dcul Luoulsdlfe6 ny JdneS
81. Goss, member OF Congress. This is de-
MED by Goss. They all claim authority for
bearing these arms, for meeting at night, for
drilling, and for making q noise, which disturbs
the peace and quiet OF the locality, from Gen.
R. Z. Scott. While coming down here, fur
ther learned they had received further instruc-
tions from him that they might carry guns
whenever they went squirrel hunting, but not
to their League meetlGgs or to unionville.
These statements the people Of Union District
are prepared to verify.
The question then being taken, the resoIu-
tion was agreed to.
Mr. Gilbert offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:
Resolred, That this Convention authorizes
the State Central Committee to appoint six
canvassers for the State at large, and recon-
mend the District Central Club, also, to ap-
point as many canyassers as may be necessary
to carry forward the interests OF the campaign
vigorously.
The following resolutions we're submitted to
the Convention and consecutiyely adopted:
BY MIR. Seibles:
RESOLVED That the Central Executive
Committee Of the Democratic party Of
South Carolina be requested to invite Demo-
cratic orators from the Northern States to can
vass this State, OF such times and places as
may suit the convenience Of the public and the
speakers.
By Hon. C. q. simonton:
ResoIced, That the Convention, in behalf Of
the people of South Carolina, whom it repre-
sents, cordially invite the immigration Of white
settlers, from any quarter, who may come
among US to establish their homes and 20 share
our future.
REMARKS OF MR., GALLUCHAT.