The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-01-13
The Political Hatchet buried in Edgefeld,

gives CnG lOilONiHS 'SOOuHo VI -
meeting held at Edgefeld Court House
on the 1st of January, Emancipation
Day." at which there was an understan-
ding reached between both races and par
ties: - SY f.,-.,,
The new year was ushered in today by
meeting at the Court House of the Radl-
cal party. This, of itself, is certainly
nothing new, but its general features diff:
fered materially from any of the kind
heretofore held. The object of this meet
ing was to listen to speech from Daddy
Cain-senator from Cbarlestonand editor
Of the Missionary Record. A committee
was appointed to wait upon the orator OF
the day and bring him to the meeting.
He spoke from the Court House steps,
for about an hour and half The tone
of his speech was eminently practical and
pacific, consisting mainly of sound advice
to his colored brethren as to what would
subserve their best interests and promote
their progress as good citizens.
He discussed briefly the proceedings of
the Legislature, and whilst he admitted
that they had not done we'll in some
things, claimed that generally they had
done remarkably we'll under the circum-
stances. He luaded among other things
the homestead law, the land commission
and the coin-nterest law alleged that it
was his purpose, and he believed the pur-
pose of the administration, to promote
peace and harmony in the State j; said that
he desired that whites and blacks should
live together as friends; that each had
need of the other, and that nothing would
promote the general welfare so much as
the peaceful relations of the races.
1t was generally regarded as good
speech, and calculated to do the freedmen
more good than any of the kind that has
been made here since the war. If all the
speakers of his party would speak in the
same spirit that Cain spoke in here today,
it would at once secure profound and per-
petual peace in the State.
At the conclusion of his speech series
of resolutions declaring the desire OF the
meeting to establish peaceful relations in
the county were adopted; also resolutions
to invite speakers of the Democratic par
ty, who might be disposed to do so, to ad-
dress the meeting. A committee was-ap-
pointed to extend this invitation, and in
response General NJ. c. Butler and Gcner-
nj NJ. w. Gary went and addressed the
meeting. They promised by saying that
they did not address the meeting in po-
ltical sense, but that they were perfectly
willing to meet the speaker from Char
lesion in the same liberal spirit which he
had exhibited. None desired peace more
than they, and the white people generally.
they desired to see the colorcd race pros
porous and happy-surrounded by all the
comforts of life, and their children enjoy
ing the blessings of education.
Cain had said that be was willing and
dcsrous of burying the Ratchet, and
General Gary in reply said that he
would announce on behalf of the white
people of tho county that they also were
willing to bury the hatchet, and that all
men should bo protected in the enjoyment
of peace and the pursuit of happiness.
The brief speeches of these gentlemen
wero we'll received, and when concluded,
on motion of Lawrence. Cain, colored,
three cheers were givon for the first Dem
ocratic speakers who had declared for
peace.
The Edgefeld Advertiser speaks as fol-
lows of the meeting referred to:
Gains speech was such aone ms entities
him to the respect of all colors and all
parties. 1t was full of good sense, good
feeling and good advice. And it was
moreover well delivered and in excellent
English. Unlike the great mass of radi-
cal speakers, he said not word to mis-
lead the negroes and array them in re-
vengeful spirit against their former mas.
ters and the white race generally. He
said good deal upon many topics of the
day, calculated to enlighten them. He
strongly advised them not to expect land
from the Government and assured them
the only feasible way to get land, was to
work and pay. for it. Nor did he tell
them 10 demand $500 per day as wages,
and do, for the same, about ton cents
worth of work.
At the conclusion Of Gains speech,
which gave much pleasure to white and
black, and had a decidedly good influence
upon both, motion was mado that a
committee be appointed to wait upon gen
tlemen of "the opposite party" and invite
them 10 address the audience also. This
committee waited upon Gems. Gary and
Butler; and, as Gen. Butler remarked, in
his brief speech, made their request in
such fair terms and generous spirit, that
they (thc gentlemen aforesaid) could not
refuse to meet them half way, and con-
sert to address them.
Gen. Butler endorsed and reiterated the
amicablc sentiments of Cain and said that
he was glad to be enabled once more to
raise his voice in affairs concerning the
welfare of his own District. His remarks
were brief, but wise and woll-timed.
Gen. Gary followed, in the same spirit,
but did not conclude without painting TO
La and;onna n 1,l1.ture of carnet. ha arnnrs