The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-08-16

!ecting the most competent and deserv-
publican ranks, aud when confidence
has been attained, by good faith and
sincerity, then the highest intelligence
and virtue will be revoked by the Re-
publican Convention for services in the
offices of trust and responsibility.
The greatest obstacle in accepting this
suggestion by many conscientious men
who have heretofore belonged to Demo
cratic and other organizations, was re-
moved by tho nominations and platform
of tho late reform convention. The dis
tinguished nominee of that convention
for Governor, is Republican; his asso-
cinte for Lieutenant Governor, no less
distinguished, was formerly Democrat.
The convention was composed mainly
of gentlemen who formerly belonged to
the Democratic party. The platform
adopted, i'll its essential feature, was Re
publican; it accepted and proposed to
sustain tho fifteenth constitutional
amendment, mud made no political issue
with the Republican party, except re-
form. To vote for either Of the nomi-
nees Tor Governor, is to vote for Il Re-
publican; to sustain either of the plat
forms, is to sustain the leading features
of Republican principles. How, then,
can voter sustain tho reform party-its
nominee and platform and say his de-
votion to principle prccludcs him from
joining the Republican pnrty?
Before tho convention met, many per-
sons objected to uniting with the Re-
publican party, because it involved an
abandonment Of political principlc-De-
mocratic or other. Such rs went intv
tho convention, and such as now sustain
its action, have broken down that bnr-
rier, and can very quietly and very con-
sclcntiously walk into the Republican
ranks-espccially as every one of the
old antiwnr issues between the Demo
cratic and Republican parties have passed
away or been settled.
If no substantial difference exists in
the principles OF the Republican md re-
form parties, how much more could have
been accomplished through the Rcpub-
eau organization, at the October election,
to reform abuses, than will DC accom-
pishcd by the reform party? Suppose
100 of the most intelligent white citi-
zeus il each County, had gone in good
faith and with frank sincerity into the
Republican organization, can it be
doubted that their intelligence and moral
| strength would havo secured honest
fnominccs? If members in tho last Lcgis-
| luturs were corrupt, would not such an
influence have defeated their re-nonlinn-
ton? Who can doubt it? This would
have been effective and practical reform,
and 1T would have gone great way to
break down that distrust Of tho colorcd
Republican felt towards the native white
4 distrust which was at first even natu-
rnl, and which was greatly increased in
4 fI,1 @tx< u.
whites participated, after reconstruction
when the blacks were attempted to be
persuaded to vote for party whose
ayowed principles looked to their dis
franchisemcnt
Is it strange that the colorcd Republi-
can should be &C utious. and adhere with
pcrtinacity to AS party? Can wo Justly
Eopc to exercise thnt j,OlHicta influence
over him which wo now constantly do in
all the other relc,iionS and duties IF life,
until he is convinced that We intend in
good faith to protect him equally with
the whites, not only in his personal pro-
pcrty, but in all his civil and political
rights?
If the whites Of the State heretofore
adhcring to the Democratic party have
renounced It's principles and consented
to vote for Republican for Governor,
and for Il Republican platform. why
should they allow mere prejudice of II
party or name to keep them aloof from
al organization in which, if they enter,
they can justly claim and enjoy the CON
tidencc OF the colored man and effect
the reforms needed, aud elevate into the
service Of the State men of the highest
intelligence and virtue
Tho nominee of the Republ can party
for Lieutenant Governor is colorcd
man. Does not their number of voters
entitle that race to recognition in the
official positions Of the State, when they
present IL man qualified to ill the posi-
tion he seeks? Is such nomination so
obnoxious. as that the ticket should be
rejected? Was not the name Of a colorcd
man presented to tho Reform Convcn-
ton for Lieutenant and did
not leading white delegates of that con-
vention urge the nomination of n colorcd
man? And why was II colorcd man not
nominated? The proceedings OF the
convention show that it was because the
name was withdrawn by n coIorcd man.
| My conclusion, therefore, is, that tie
intelligence of tho wEtc race in tho